They pray to her for the birth of children. They pray for deliverance from drought, for healing from bleeding, infertility and the gift of childbearing, for strengthening in needs and sorrows, for help in bearing the monastic cross, for healing from headaches, for healing of the paralytic and in family sorrows.
According to legend, this image was painted by the holy Apostle Luke; the icon depicts the Queen of Heaven, who prays for the salvation of her God and Son for the salvation of the Christian race. From this she received the name merciful, her other name, Kykkos, she received in honor of the mountain located in Cyprus - Kykkos.
Until the 10th century, the image of the Mother of God “Merciful” was in Egypt, where the Evangelist Luke transferred it there. Later (980) due to defeats and persecution of Christians, the shrine was transferred to Constantinople, where it remained for almost two centuries.
The ruler of the island of Cyprus had a vision that he needed to bring the miraculous icon back to the monastery on Mount Kykkos. Ruler Manuel Vutomit went to Constantinople to see Emperor Alexy Komnev. At that time, the sovereign’s daughter was very ill, and the doctors could not help her. Hearing Manuel’s request, Alexy decided to give away the miraculous icon, and at that time his daughter became completely healthy. But Alexy’s greed did not allow him to part with the icon and he began to stall for time to transfer the image. Unexpectedly, Alexy himself fell ill with a serious illness. In a dream, the Queen of Heaven appeared to him and strictly ordered that Her icon be urgently transferred to a monastery in Cyprus. The emperor ordered an exact copy of the image to be painted, which he kept for himself. After it was ready, he transferred the shrine to Cyprus with honors.
The king allocated funds for the construction of a temple at the monastery in Cyprus, and the temple was named Imperial. On Mount Kykkos, in the monastery, a chronicle book was found that talks about multiple miraculous healings and help for Christians and even people of other faiths. The Mother of God did not refuse anyone who came to her for help with a pure heart.
In the image, the face of the Most Holy Theotokos is always covered with a veil, on which the outline of the image is embroidered. Once a year, during a prayer service on the top of the mountain, the monks take the icon there, they open its image. The monks pray to the Mother of God for a good harvest and rain, but even at this moment they do not allow themselves to look at the face of the Queen of Heaven.
In the Conception Monastery, which is located in Moscow, the icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” is highly revered. In the Soviet years, after the plunder of the monastery, the miraculous icon was miraculously preserved. It was transferred to the Temple of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane and remained there for several decades. She was returned to the Conception Monastery only in November 1999.
On the days of veneration, November 25 and January 8, childless mothers call on her for help, asking her for the healing of illnesses and a good harvest.
Icon of the Mother of God the Merciful (Kykkos) depicts the Virgin Mary begging the Lord for the salvation of Christians.
It is known that the holy image was first transferred by the apostle to Egypt, where it was kept until the 10th century. But in 980, after the persecution of Christians, the icon was transferred to Constantinople, where it remained in the royal palace until the 12th century.
Through the prayer of the Gracious Icon of the Mother of God, the daughter of Emperor Alexius Komnenos, suffering from an incurable illness, was cured. The ruler of Cyprus, Manuel Vutomit, then arrived in Constantinople, intending to ask the emperor for an icon for the monastery on Mount Kykkos. Emperor Alexy agreed, and his daughter miraculously received healing. Then the emperor regretted giving the icon to the monastery and he himself turned out to be ill.
The Mother of God appeared to him in a dream, commanding him to immediately send the icon to Cyprus. The emperor, leaving himself the exact copy of the icon, equipped the ship. On the island there is not only a monastery, but also an Imperial temple, built with the money of a wise ruler. Prayer to the Gracious Icon of the Mother of God continues to help people.
The monastic chronicle speaks of numerous miracles. It is known that the icon helps even non-believers who turn to the Mother of God and read the akathist to the Gracious Icon of the Mother of God.
Akathist to the Merciful Icon of the Mother of God is also read in Moscow, in the Conception Monastery. The image survived the revolution and was kept in the Church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane, and in November 1999 it was moved to the Conception Monastery.
Prayer in front of the miraculous icon helps in every way! Believers also ask for deliverance from drought, for healing from bleeding, infertility and the gift of childbearing, for strengthening in needs and sorrows, for help in bearing the monastic cross, for healing from headaches, for healing of the paralytic and in family sorrows.
Icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” (Kykkos)
O Most Holy and Most Blessed Mother of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, Merciful Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary! Falling before Your holy and miraculous icon, we humbly pray to You, our Good and Merciful Intercessor: listen to the voice of our sinful prayers, do not despise the sighs from the soul, seeing the sorrows and misfortunes that have befallen us, and like a truly loving Mother, striving to help us helpless, sad, Those who have fallen into many and grave sins and continually anger our Lord and Creator, pray to Him, our Representative, not to destroy us with our iniquities, but to show us His philanthropic mercy. Ask us, O Lady, from His goodness, bodily health and spiritual salvation, a pious and peaceful life, fruitfulness of the earth, goodness of the air, well-timed rains and a blessing from above for all our good deeds and undertakings, and as of old you mercifully looked upon the humble praise of the novice of Athonite. , who sang a song of praise to You before Your most pure icon, and You sent Archangel Gabriel to him to teach him to sing the heavenly song, with which the angels of the mountain glorify You, graciously accept our prayer now fervently offered to You, and bring it to Your Son and God, may He be merciful He will be a sinner for us, and He will add His mercy to all who honor Thee and worship Thy holy image with faith. O All-Merciful Queen, All-merciful Mother of God, stretch out Your God-bearing hands to Him, in His image, as if You were carrying a baby, and beg Him to save us all and deliver us from eternal destruction. Show us, O Lady, Your generosity: heal the sick, comfort the afflicted, help the needy, make us all prosperous to bear the yoke of Christ in patience and humility, grant us a pious end to this earthly life, receive a Christian shameless death, and inherit the Heavenly Kingdom, through Your maternal intercession to To Christ our God, who was born of You, and to Him with His Originless Father and the Most Holy Spirit, befits all glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion, tone 1
Let us pray, people, with boldness to the Merciful Queen Theotokos, and tenderly call upon Her: send down, O Lady, Thy rich mercies, preserving Thy sinful servants in health and prosperity. Heal the sick, comfort the sorrowing and help the needy. And grant us, O Most Merciful One, to end this earthly life piously, to receive a Christian shameless death and to inherit the Heavenly Kingdom. Deliver our city from every evil situation, protecting it with Your merciful intercession. Grant peace and seek salvation for our souls.
Greatness
We magnify Thee, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Thy holy image, through which we heal our illnesses and raise souls to God.
Icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” (Kykkos)
Icon of the Mother of God, called “Merciful”, (Kykkos), written, according to legend, by the holy apostle and evangelist Luke.
Kykkos Icon of the Mother of God
The icon received its other name “Kikkiotis” (which means “Dwelling in Kykkos”) from the name of Mount Kykkos, located on the island of Cyprus. Here, in the Kykkos monastery, which is also called the imperial monastery, in the temple built in his honor there is a miraculous image.
Kykkos Icon of the Mother of God
Before reaching the island of Cyprus, the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, by the will of God, wandered for a long time. At first it was in one of the first Christian communities in Egypt, then, in 980, it was transported to Constantinople, where it remained until the reign of Emperor Alexius Komnenos (late 11th - early 12th centuries), and then returned to Cyprus. It happened like this: the Cypriot ruler Manuel Vutomit, getting lost while hunting in the mountains and becoming very embittered, brutally beat the desert monk Isaiah who met him. As punishment for this, Manuel was overtaken by a serious illness. Meanwhile, it was revealed to the elder hermit Isaiah in a wonderful sign that through his efforts the miraculous image, painted by the holy evangelist Luke, would remain on the island of Cyprus. The elder put a lot of work into fulfilling Divine revelation. Having begun to build a temple for the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, he commanded the repentant Manuel, who came to him, to go to Constantinople to the emperor and return the miraculous image. The governor did not immediately decide to talk about the icon with the ruler of Constantinople, however, when the latter’s daughter fell ill, Manuel came to the emperor and conveyed the monk’s command to him. After the ruler promised to send the holy icon to the island of Cyprus, the girl immediately felt a weakening of the disease.
The miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Merciful" from the Conception Convent
With great honors, the icon of the Mother of God arrived on the island, where it was placed in the temple built for her. Gradually, a monastery was formed around the temple, for the arrangement of which Manuel donated funds (that’s why the monastery is called imperial). From the miraculous image of the Mother of God “Merciful” many miracles began to be performed. From ancient times to this day, those obsessed with all kinds of ailments flock to the monastery from all sides and receive healing according to their faith. Not only Christians, but also non-Christians believe in the miraculous power of the holy icon. The mercy of the Most Pure Mother of God, the Intercessor of all those who suffer, is inexhaustible, and the name “Merciful” is truly inherent in Her image. The miraculous Kykkos Icon of the Mother of God has a remarkable feature: it is unknown from what time, it is half covered with a veil from the upper left corner to the lower right, so that no one can or dares to see the faces of the Mother of God and the Divine Child.
The image of the Mother of God on the icon is of the “Eleusa” type, the face of the Blessed Virgin is tilted to the left, the Infant of God supports the edge of the Mother of God’s maphorium with his hand, and in his hands joined together is a Greek scroll.
Icon of the Mother of God "Merciful"
In Rus', lists of the miraculous image appeared in the 17th century. One of the most famous and revered was in the Moscow Conception Convent and was its main shrine. After the destruction of the monastery in the 20s of the last century, the miraculous list was transferred to the nearby Church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane. In 1999, when monastic life in the monastery began to revive, the icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” returned to its original place. Prayer before this icon strengthens and spiritually comforts all who turn with faith and hope to the Lady of Heaven.
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “Merciful”, tone 1
P Let us, people, boldly approach the Merciful Queen Theotokos, and let us tenderly call upon Her: send down, O Lady, Thy rich mercies, preserving Thy sinful servants in health and prosperity. Heal the sick, comfort the sorrowing and help the needy. And grant us, O Most Merciful One, to end this earthly life piously, to receive a Christian shameless death and to inherit the Heavenly Kingdom. Deliver our city from every evil situation, protecting it with Your merciful intercession. Grant peace and seek salvation for our souls.
The magnification of the Most Holy Theotokos before Her icon, called “Merciful”
IN We glorify Thee, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Thy holy image, through which we heal our illnesses and raise souls to God.
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “Merciful”
ABOUT Most Holy and Most Blessed Mother of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, Merciful Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary! Falling before Your holy and miraculous icon, we humbly pray to You, our Good and Merciful Intercessor: listen to the voice of our sinful prayers, do not despise the sighs from the soul, seeing the sorrows and misfortunes that have befallen us, and like a truly loving Mother, striving to help us helpless, sad, Those who have fallen into many and grave sins and continually anger our Lord and Creator, pray to Him, our Representative, not to destroy us with our iniquities, but to show us His philanthropic mercy. Ask us, O Lady, from His goodness, bodily health and spiritual salvation, a pious and peaceful life, fruitfulness of the earth, goodness of the air, well-timed rains and a blessing from above for all our good deeds and undertakings, and as of old you mercifully looked upon the humble praise of the novice of Athonite. , who sang a song of praise to You before Your Most Pure Icon, and You sent Archangel Gabriel to him to teach him to sing the heavenly song, with which the angels of the mountain glorify You, graciously accept our prayer now fervently offered to You, and bring it to Your Son and God, may He be merciful He will be a sinner for us, and He will add His mercy to all who honor Thee and worship Thy Holy Image with faith. O All-Merciful Queen, All-Blessed Mother of God, stretch out your God-bearing hands to Him, in His image, as if you were carrying a baby, and beg Him to save us all and deliver us from eternal destruction. Show us, O Lady, Your generosity: heal the sick, comfort the sorrowing, help the needy: make us all prosperous to bear the yoke of Christ in patience and humility, grant us a pious end to this earthly life, receive a Christian shameless death, and inherit the Heavenly Kingdom, through Your maternal intercession to To Christ our God, who was born of You, and to Him with His Originless Father and the Most Holy Spirit, befits all glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” (Kykkos), according to legend, was painted by the holy evangelist Luke himself, and received its name from the city of Kykkos (Cyprus). This image, by the providence of God, changed several places of residence, but miraculously, at the end of a centuries-long journey through Egypt and Constantinople, it returned to the city of Kykkos.
The Kykkos image of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” was miraculously covered from an unknown time with a veil located diagonally from the upper left corner to the lower right. The veil covers the faces of the Mother of God and the Infant Christ so that no one can see them. A list of the miraculous image, covered with a veil, can still be found today in the Kykkos monastery, located on the top of Mount Kykkos (in Cyprus). The miraculous image itself is located in the monastery, but is closed to view.
Icon of the Mother of God “Merciful”
The most famous list of icons in Russia is the image of the Conception Monastery. Monastic tradition connects this miraculous icon with the most ancient icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” (Kykkos). The first mention of the image of the Mother of God “Merciful” can be read in the monastery inventory of the 18th century. Her miraculous return to the walls of the Zachatievsky stauropegic convent occurred only in 1999. The monastery is located in Moscow, in 2nd Zachatievsky Lane, building 2.
The original icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” became known for many miracles wherever it was located. Thus, being in Constantinople since 980, where the icon came from Egypt during the persecution of Christians, it was highly revered by local residents and the emperor. The very return of the image of the Mother of God “Merciful” to Cyprus during the reign of Alexei Komnenos occurred thanks to a series of healings. Tradition says that the ruler of Cyprus, Manuel, who got lost in the mountains while hunting, met and severely beat the pious monk Isaiah, which caused the ruler to suffer a serious illness - paralysis. A revelation was sent to the elder who was beaten by the ruler, according to which the ruler Manuel, if he wants to get rid of the relaxation tormenting him, must return the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” from Constantinople. Believing the elder’s revelation, Manuel left him funds for the construction of the temple, and, despite his fear, he went to the emperor in Constantinople.
At this time, the daughter of the Emperor of Constantinople became seriously ill, and her illness was similar to the relaxation that also tormented Manuel. Seeing the Providence of God in such a coincidence, Manuel went to the emperor and began to ask him to return the image of the Mother of God to Cyprus. Through the emperor’s fervent prayer at the miraculous image, his sick daughter received immediate healing, but the emperor was in no hurry to fulfill the promise, ordering the best icon painters to make a copy of the icon in order to leave the miraculous image in Constantinople, and send the list to Cyprus. However, the Mother of God Herself, appearing in a dream to the emperor, kept him from breaking his promise. Repentant, the emperor left the prepared copy of the miraculous image of the “Merciful One” in Constantinople, and the image itself was sent with honors to the island of Cyprus to the elder Isaiah. Thus, the Mother of God Herself revealed the first healings from Her image. Healings also continued in the Kykkos monastery on the island of Cyprus, where believers could and do receive miracles from the icon. The mercy of the Mother of God is not limited to Orthodox believers; it is known that not only Christians, but also non-Christians know about the miraculous power of the image, who with faith resort to the icon of the Mother of God in their troubles and illnesses and also receive what they ask for. The inexhaustible mercy of the Most Holy Theotokos is poured out in abundance on all those who suffer, thereby confirming the very name of Her image - “Merciful”.
The face of the Mother of God and the Divine Child is hidden under a veil and no one dares to open it. A stern reminder to those daring to encroach on this is the incident that happened to one pagan who decided to hit the image, after which his hand immediately withered. As a reminder of him, an iron hand was attached to the frame of the Kykkos image of the Mother of God “Merciful” by the monks, which is why some sometimes confuse it with the “Three-Handed” icon.
The miraculous icon "Merciful". List
(Image from zachatev.prihod.ru)
Through prayers at the copies of the miraculous icon “Merciful”, even today the Lord grants healing and consolation to the suffering. Numerous facts testify that through prayers at the icon of the Mother of God “Merciful”, during a drought, blessed rain is sent to the earth, sick people suffering from various internal bleedings, migraines and headaches are healed, people who are in relaxation gain strength, and childbearing is given to infertile couples . There were cases when the mute suddenly found speech and spoke, and those who were almost dead recovered and were brought to the icon.
A huge number of officially confirmed healings through prayers at the “Merciful” icon of the Mother of God are recorded in the monastery book of the Conception Stauropegic Convent in Moscow.
Those who flow with faith to the Queen of Heaven under Her blessed cover with prayers before Her miraculous image are always heard. Some people receive help instantly, for some people change occurs after a while, however, it is difficult to find someone who could say that his prayer was not heard. There are known cases when the Most Holy Theotokos does something unusual for the one asking, which, at first glance, is not at all connected with what was asked or expected, however, in everything asking, the love of the Most Holy Lady for Her children who came and came from afar to the image is felt and felt by those asking Her and those who offer sincere prayers from their suffering hearts, filled with faith and hope for the all-powerful intercession of the “Merciful One”.
The Mother of God hears everyone, healing and admonishing everyone, kindling the flame of faith, and never abandons those in need even in the most hopeless circumstances of life. Many people flocking to the Conception Monastery, after some time, testify to the gracious help they received - through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos through Her miraculous image.
Thus, one woman, whose old mother was seriously ill, poured out her heartfelt need to the Mother of God in the church, saying only three words in front of the image of “Merciful” - and a miracle happened! The patient was soon discharged, and of the mother’s two roommates who had the same disease, one suffered serious complications, and the other died.
One of the spouses, after experiencing sudden attacks of headaches that occurred due to vascular spasms, was ordered by the Mother of God to come to the Conception Stavropegic Monastery. The pains did not recur, and in the monastery where the couple came together, they recognized in the image of the Mother of God the “Merciful” icon, in which many years ago they were married in the temple of the Prophet Elijah the Ordinary, and the priest who then performed the Sacrament, it turned out, now serves in the monastery.
One woman, having become a widow, raised her two daughters alone for eleven years and at times grieved deeply. When she first came to worship at the Convent of Conception, she saw the holy icon “Merciful,” and faith and hope for a successful outcome of her everyday problems were kindled in her heart. After some time, the daughter, about whom the woman was so worried, with the help of the Mother of God, who arranged the circumstances and sent people, entered the university, to the great joy of her mother. In the Most Holy Theotokos, the woman found a faithful Intercessor and Helper.
Image of the Mother of God “Merciful”
(Image from logoslovo.ru)
Servant of God Anna was treated for infertility by various doctors for more than twenty years, but to no avail. She went to an expensive clinic that used various new treatment methods, they promised to help her, but there was no success. Having placed all her hope in God, Anna went to the Conception Monastery, here she ordered a prayer service for health before the holy icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Merciful”, and she herself also prayed for a long time at the holy miraculous image. And through her prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos, a miracle happened: the woman was able to conceive and give birth to a daughter after the allotted time.
Servant of God Angelina, in gratitude for the miraculous help of the Queen of Heaven, which was provided to her son Demetrius, reverently presented one of her jewelry to the holy image of the Mother of God “Merciful”. The loving mother prayed with zeal in front of the “Merciful” icon, asking the Queen of Heaven for a good job and the personal life of her son, which happened after some time. The son found a decent job and met his future wife.
The Mother of God, in our difficult time of diminishing love and increasing lawlessness, does not abandon those who sincerely seek the path of salvation. She, in Her holy miraculous images, gives those asking an invaluable opportunity: to touch Divine grace, which heals, restores, transforms, and replenishes the human soul damaged by sin.
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Description of the icon of the Mother of God the Merciful:
According to legend, this is one of the icons painted by the holy evangelist Luke. Sometimes it is called Kykkos from the name of Mount Kykkos on the island of Cyprus. The icon is called merciful because the Mother of God is depicted on it beseeching the Son and Her God for the salvation of the Christian race.
Initially, the icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” was transferred by the Apostle Luke to Egypt, where it remained until the 10th century. In 980, due to the persecution of Christians that began there, the icon of the Mother of God “MERCIFUL” (KYKKOS) was sent to Constantinople, where it remained in the royal palace until the beginning of the 12th century.
One day, Emperor Alexius Komnenos’s daughter fell ill with an incurable disease. At this time, the ruler of the island of Cyprus, Manuel Vutomit, arrived in Constantinople, who was inspired from above to ask Emperor Alexy for a miraculous icon for the construction of a monastery on the Cypriot Mount Kykkos. After the emperor promised to give up the icon, his daughter was miraculously healed. But the emperor felt sorry for giving away the “Merciful” (KYKKOS) icon of the Mother of God, and he began to delay the fulfillment of his promise.
After the emperor himself unexpectedly fell ill, the Mother of God appeared to him in a dream and ordered him to immediately send Her icon to Cyprus. Having left with himself an exact list (copy) of the miraculous image, the emperor ordered the preparation of a ship on which the holy icon was honorably transported to the island of Cyprus.
Here, on Mount Kykkos, a temple was built and a monastery attached to the temple, which received the name Imperial, as it was built at the expense of the king. The monastic chronicle records many miracles that occurred from the “GRACEFUL” miraculous icon of the Mother of God. Her grace-filled power heals not only Christians, but also those of other faiths - all who, in sorrow and illness, turn to the Most Holy Theotokos for help.
In Moscow, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” from the Conception Monastery is especially revered. After the revolution, during the destruction of the monastery, the miraculous image was saved. For several decades it remained in the Church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane, and in November 1999 it was solemnly transferred to the revived Conception Monastery.
Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Merciful” they pray for deliverance from drought, for healing from bleeding, infertility and the gift of childbearing, for strengthening in needs and sorrows, for help in bearing the monastic cross, for healing from headaches, for the healing of the paralytic and in family sorrows.
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Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her “Merciful” Icon |
| O Most Holy and Most Blessed Mother of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, Merciful Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary! Falling before Your holy and miraculous icon, we humbly pray to You, our Good and Merciful Intercessor: listen to the voice of our sinful prayers, do not despise the sighs from the soul, seeing the sorrows and misfortunes that have befallen us, and like a truly loving Mother, striving to help us helpless, sad, Those who have fallen into many and grave sins and continually anger our Lord and Creator, pray to Him, our Representative, not to destroy us with our iniquities, but to show us His philanthropic mercy. Ask us, O Lady, from His goodness, bodily health and spiritual salvation, a pious and peaceful life, fruitfulness of the earth, goodness of the air, well-timed rains and a blessing from above for all our good deeds and undertakings, and as of old you mercifully looked upon the humble praise of the novice of Athonite. , who sang a song of praise to You before Your most pure icon, and You sent Archangel Gabriel to him to teach him to sing the heavenly song, with which the angels of the mountain glorify You, graciously accept our prayer now fervently offered to You, and bring it to Your Son and God, may He be merciful He will be a sinner for us, and He will add His mercy to all who honor Thee and worship Thy holy image with faith. O All-Merciful Queen, All-merciful Mother of God, stretch out Your God-bearing hands to Him, in His image, as if You were carrying a baby, and beg Him to save us all and deliver us from eternal destruction. Show us, O Lady, Your generosity: heal the sick, comfort the afflicted, help the needy, make us all prosperous to bear the yoke of Christ in patience and humility, grant us a pious end to this earthly life, receive a Christian shameless death, and inherit the Heavenly Kingdom, through Your maternal intercession to To Christ our God, who was born of You, and to Him with His Originless Father and the Most Holy Spirit, befits all glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Troparion, tone 1 Greatness |
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Akathist to the Holy Mother of God in front of her Icon, called "merciful"
Kontakion 1
Chosen by God from the human race to serve the incarnation of the Eternal Word, the Most Blessed Virgin Mother of God, worthily sung by the angels in heaven, we are sinners on earth, we dare to bring songs of praise that you have graciously received from us, the All-Blessed Lady, free us from all troubles, temporary and eternal, and call Ti: Rejoice, Merciful Helper of Christians.
Ikos 1
Archangel Gabriel was sent from heaven from You, Mother of God, to the humble novice of Mount Athos in a desert cell, who sang Ti songs of praise before Your holy icon, so that he might teach him to sing the heavenly song. with it the angels in heavenly Zion praise you. In the same way, we too, remembering your good providence for people, cry out to Tisitsa with thanksgiving: Rejoice, worthily praised by the archangel and angel; Rejoice, blessed one from all heavenly powers. Rejoice, ever-blessed and most immaculate; Rejoice, Mother of our God. Rejoice, most honorable Cherub; Rejoice, most glorious without comparison Seraphim. Rejoice, you who gave birth to God the Word without corruption; Rejoice, truly present Mother of God. Rejoice, magnified in heaven and on earth; Rejoice, sung by those above and below. Rejoice, one blessed among women; Rejoice, thou who hast brought forth the fruit of life for us. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the desert novice of the wondrous stranger who came to his cell and sang a sweet song to You, the Lady, without understanding there was an angel in him, but greatly enjoyed his heavenly singing, and ask him to write to him the words of the song he sang: when he saw that under his finger there was stone So softened, and the words written on it deepened like on an arctic fox, recognizing in this wonderful action, and cry out to the Word God who was born from You: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Opening the mind to the Divine songs, the Archangel spoke to the novice, as if the faces of the angels in the abodes of the heavens sing Thee to the Mother of God, and commanded him, let him proclaim to man the words of the songs of heaven, and teach the earthly ones to cry out to Thee in an angelic manner: Hail, Most Blessed Mary; Rejoice, for the Lord is with you. Rejoice, Blessed Daughter of the Heavenly Father; Rejoice, Unartificed Mother of God the Word. Rejoice, immaculate village of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, you who revealed the unspeakable conception. Rejoice, you who showed an imperishable Christmas; Rejoice, thou who wast both Matter and the Virgin. Rejoice, you who have preserved both yourselves immaculate and holy; Rejoice, having surpassed the angels in Your purity. Rejoice, unceasing wonder of the heavenly minds; Rejoice, exaltation of the human race. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 3
By the power of God, Gabriel the Archangel turned a hard stone into soft wax, and on it with his finger wrote words of praise to You, Mother of God, so that everyone would know the great miracle, and undoubtedly believe, as the mountains of heaven truly sing of You, and in imitation of them, we sing of Your greatness, Virgin, and in spiritual joy we cry out to God who glorified You: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having simplicity of soul and an immaculate heart, the humble novice has been granted angelic conversation and the sight of the ruler of the mountains, but we, darkened by wickedness and malice, do not dare to look at Your holy icon, Lady, and we pray to You diligently: turn us away from evil. ours by Your right hand and teach us in humility and meekness of spirit to say to You: Rejoice, you who sanctified Mount Athos with Your favor; Rejoice, you who filled its hills and wilds with the glory of Your miracles. Rejoice, thou who hast made the desert worthy of the angelic appearance; Rejoice, monastic monastery, in which you multiplied human souls for the salvation. Rejoice, having promised Your intercession to those who strive in it in fasting and prayer; Rejoice, saving Thy chosen ones from the troubles of the sea of life. Rejoice, thou who sought the mercy of Thy Son and God to this place until the end of the age; Rejoice, mental paradise who showed this mountain to the desert-loving monk. Rejoice, you who have made it a calm haven for all those seeking salvation; Rejoice, you always lovingly supplying them with what they need for the fasting life. Rejoice, you who live here are a God-pleasing giver of temporal and eternal blessings; Rejoice, intercessor for them of the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 4
A storm of bewilderment troubled the elder monk, when he heard a new and wonderful song in the mouth of his disciple, and saw a stone tablet, miraculously inscribed with an unearthly finger: when he learned of the visit of a wondrous visitor, who was called Gabriel, he knew, as if he were the one who told You the gospel of old. , Virgin, seedless conception of God the Word. In the same way, magnifying Your majesty, Queen of those above and below, you joyfully sing angels and men to the Creator: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Having heard about the visit of the Archangel to the monks of Mount Athos, I flocked to see the tablet, miraculously inscribed with the letters of the heavenly song, and I sang this reverently before Thy holy icon, Lady, before the Heavenly One the Archangel was sung. Accept, O All-Blessed One, and our prayers earnestly offered to You before her, with the following singing: Rejoice, as the council of angels rejoices in You; Rejoice, for in You the human race triumphs. Rejoice, who bore the Eternal Word in Your hand; Rejoice, Thou who comfortably contained in Thy womb the Creator of heaven and earth. Rejoice, thou who lent flesh to Thy Creator; Rejoice, thou who hast incarnated the reddest above the sons of men. Rejoice, you have set forth the red one, who has worn out the garment of the flesh of Christ; Rejoice, from the blood of Your virgins the purple of the King of kings was made. Rejoice, praise of virginity; Rejoice, glory to mothers.
Rejoice, you who preserved your virginity at Christmas; Rejoice, Christmas with virginity. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 5
God-seer Moses sometimes received the Law of God inscribed on Mount Sinai on stone tablets, but the monks of Mount Athos received a heavenly song to the glory of the Mother of God on the stone tablet inscribed from the Archangel, and with this teaching, angelic praise to You, Most Pure One, hastening, calling upon the Triune God who was so well-willed for them : Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen the ruler of Mount Athos, a great miracle in the appearance of the Archangel and a new song, revealed to the entire Church of Christ, the decal miraculously inscribed in the letters of the song, forwarded to the Tsar and Patriarch of Byzantium, to assure the truth of this glorious miracle: I joyfully accepted it, as a guarantee of heavenly favor , and throughout the entire Orthodox Church we have legalized the singing of the angelic song in praise of You, Mother of God, calling to You in deep tenderness: Rejoice, adorned with the graces of all virtues, Virgin; Rejoice, Unbrided Bride, shining with virginity. Rejoice, thou who hast increased the unfading color of Christ; Rejoice, verbal paradise, having the tree of life in the midst, the Most Sweet Jesus. Rejoice, heavenly hay, who preserves us from the heat of our efforts; Rejoice, cover of the world, broadening the clouds. Rejoice, blessed-leaved tree, giving saving coolness to everyone. Rejoice, source of living water, from which those who drink do not die. Rejoice, supplication of the Righteous Judge; Rejoice, forgiveness of our sins. Rejoice, abiding in heavenly glory at the right hand of God; Rejoice, you who do not forsake the earth-born by Your mercy. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 6
The Holy Church preaches the greatness of Thy miracles, Mary Theotokos, and brightly sings Thy angelic song, miraculously brought from heaven to earth by the commander of the heavenly powers and Thy noble servant Gabriel: pray with him, Most Pure Lady, to Thy Son and God, unshakable in piety and He will preserve His Church in Orthodoxy, and will put to shame all heretical uprisings, but He will vouchsafe us, Her faithful children, to sing to Him without condemnation: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You shone with many rays of miracles from Your Merciful Icon, O Lady, and with these you graced the whole of Mount Athos with grace: for Your streams of mercy flow freely to all who demand from it, O Virgin, and you strive to call all of you to You: Rejoice, our holy Joy, through Your icon we ever-comforting; Rejoice, our good intercessor, always hastening to help us. Rejoice, you who have given us the guarantee of salvation in Your icon; Rejoice, you who greatly glorified Mount Athos with it. Rejoice, our known hope; Rejoice, our unshameable hope. Rejoice, consolation for our sorrows; Rejoice, our sorrows have been quenched. Rejoice, confirmation of the Orthodox faith; Rejoice, disgrace of unbelief. Rejoice, Divine manifestation of love; Rejoice, glorious miracles have been performed. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 7
To those who want to reap salvation in the deserts of Mount Athos, the Merciful Patroness and Helper of the Mother of God appears, and you ever intercede for them to Your Son and God: if anyone there falls into some sin, we are troubled by the weakness of the flesh, through You he receives rising for salvation, as you desire for all those who live in Your lot will be saved and come into the mind of truth, and those who silently sing to Christ, the King and God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
A new heaven and a new earth have been prepared by Your Son and by God, who loves Him, the All-Blessed Lady, to whom You are a Guide and Mentor, if only we listen to Your Divine inspiration. We pray to You, the All-Merciful Queen, do not let us perish in the wilds of sin, but lead us along the right path to the land of light and eternal joy, and let us cry out in praise to You: Rejoice, the first adornment of Zion on high; Rejoice, ever-ready intercession of the abodes of the valleys. Rejoice, good earth, who brought forth the saving grace of the world; Rejoice, unearthed, fertilized by the Spirit. Rejoice, thou who received the fire of the Divine into Thy womb; Rejoice, you who have satisfied the hunger of fallen humanity with the Bread of Life. Rejoice, O thou of the Cherubic King on the throne; Rejoice, chamber of the Seraphim Lord, adorned with purity. Rejoice, temple animated by the Trinitarian God; Rejoice, receptacle of the Divine. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 8
The strange and glorious appearance of the Archangel, which sometimes happened on Mount Athos, was a Divine sight, through which Thy venerated name, Mary Theotokos, was glorified, and all the faithful learned to sing angelically about Thee, the most honorable Cherubim and the most glorious Mother of the Seraphim of our God, in whom every creature and race rejoices. man gratefully cries out to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
We place all our hope in You, Mother of God, and in our sorrows we zealously flow to Your holy icon, hoping to receive gracious consolation from it, through Your merciful participation towards us, O All-Blessed One. Help us, Lady, to endure all sorrows with patience and gratitude, and instead of faint-hearted murmurs, to cry out to You with compassion: Rejoice, Joy to all who mourn; Rejoice, consolation to all the sad. Rejoice, you who labor and are burdened with sweet peace; Rejoice, life-giving joy for those who are sick and distressed. Rejoice, in the hour of sorrowful bewilderment you put a good thought on your heart; Rejoice, inspiring in days of despondency with the hope of eternal blessings. Rejoice, Thy helping hand is extended to those who are tempted; Rejoice, you who take away the wrath of God from our heads. Rejoice, you who give peace to those overwhelmed by misfortunes; Rejoice, you who wonderfully fulfill our good desires. Rejoice, you who crown patient sufferers with gifts of grace; Rejoice, thou who grantest the bliss of paradise to the monks who strive hard. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 9
All the angels of heaven with silent praises please Thee, the Queen and Lady of all creation, but we on earth and rings will bring such praise worthy to Thee, the All-Singing One; Moreover, those who trust in Your innumerable mercy are compelled by love for You, we sing Your miracles, we preach Your good deeds, we glorify Your name, and diligently fall to Your multi-healing icon, slavishly crying out to the Divine Infant Christ depicted on it together with You: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Old rhetorical verbs, dissatisfied with the singing of Your miracles, Mother of God, both the Good Being, our faith, instead of the rhetorician’s blessing, mercifully accept, weigh our love, with which our hearts are filled with You. In the same way, kindly hear our simple songs, in which we dare to praise Thee: Rejoice, thou who didst contain the Word of the Father in Thy wombs; Rejoice, you who gave birth to the never-ending Light. Rejoice, you who gave eternal life to the world through Your birth; Rejoice, Thou angelic King, who carried a child in Thy hand; Rejoice, animated city of the ever-king; Rejoice, consecrated tabernacle of the Living God. Rejoice, you who united the lower one with the higher ones; Rejoice, Mother of the World, filled with Divine peace. Rejoice, guilty one of good things; Rejoice, change of evil. Rejoice, all-strong weapon against enemies; Rejoice, indestructible shield of the faithful. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 10
A saving refuge from the vanities of the charming world, Thy earthly lot has appeared, the truly holy Mount Athos, the Virgin Mary, sanctified by Thy many miracles, filled with Thy icons associated with grace, and inhabited by monks who faithfully serve in honor of Thy Son and God, Who do not cease to beseech, O All-Blessed One , His grace does not depart from this place, by You and beloved, in which from ancient years a song of praise has been sung to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall of intercession for virgin faces, O Most Blessed Virgin, and a pillar strong from the face of the enemy to all ascetics of purity: For You have been given great power, to defeat the dark forces of hell, and to deliver people from their soul-destroying temptations, especially those who dwell chastely and holy on earth. For this reason, for the sake of virginity, the stewards, according to You, call: Rejoice, shining with purity more than the sun; Rejoice, beginning of virginity and sanctification. Rejoice, O Krin, who has fragrant fallen humanity; Rejoice, in Thy humility overshadowed by the favor of the Almighty. Rejoice, faithful servant of the Lord; Rejoice, for you are blessed by all. Rejoice, pillar of affirmation of purity for all; Rejoice, crown of kindness, woven by the right hand of the Almighty. Rejoice, sign of God's goodwill towards people; Rejoice, sinners have boldness towards God. Rejoice, clothed in the bright robe of mercies and generosity; Rejoice, filled with compassion and love for the Christian race. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 11
Our singing, even if it were numerous, is not sufficient for the worthy glorification of Your many mercies and bounties, Most Blessed Mother of our Lord, in whose image You constantly benefit our family: otherwise, let us not appear ungratefully before You, our Benefactor, according to our strength we offer songs of gratitude to You with with faith and love, and glorifying Your countless miracles, we cry out to the Supreme Creator of miracles, God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
With the light-giving rays of miracles, your “Merciful” icon, Lady, shines unwaveringly on the holy Mount Athos, and gracefully enlightens the entire Orthodox world. For this reason, Orthodox cathedrals have been coming to her since ancient times for the worship of the Orthodox, compassionately singing before her the following praises: Rejoice, thou who hast revealed the King Christ to the world; Rejoice, depicted on Your icon together with Him. Rejoice, mystical tick, foreseen by Isaiah; Rejoice, unburnt Kupino, foreseen by the visionary Moses. Rejoice, watered fleece of Gideon; Rejoice, often-shrouded Habakkuk. Rejoice, closed door of Ezekiel; Rejoice, invincible mountain of Daniel. Rejoice, many times foretold by the prophet; Rejoice, you who brought the prophetic utterances to fruition. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 12
Thy icon, partaker of grace, the Virgin Mother of God, like a utensil treasured by the Church of Christ, was given from Thy bounties, O All-Good One, in which Thou promised to be with us until the end of the age, saying about your first-written icon: “with it is My grace and power!” We believe, O All-Sung, that this word of Yours will not fail even now, in Your holy icon in every place, where the song of praise is faithfully sung to Your Son and God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your miracles, Mother of God, we fall diligently to Your merciful and miraculous icon, we kiss You with heartfelt love, and as the ever-present You with us, we diligently pray to You: look upon us with Your mercy, Mother of God, and as we now see You depicted in the icon , so grant us to behold You in the terrible hour of death, who snatches us away from the hand of the devil and brings us into the Kingdom of Christ, by Your sovereign right hand, and we cry out to You with gratitude: Rejoice, for through God we have a strong refuge and protection; Rejoice, you who embrace the whole Christian world with your maternal bounties. Rejoice, you who affirm the faithful in all virtues; Rejoice, you who give a good Christian death to those who please You. Rejoice, thou who deliverest thee from the power of the cruel ruler of the world, who trusteth in Thee; Rejoice, you who intercede in the ordeals of the air, glorifying Thee. Rejoice, Divine goalkeeper, who mercifully opens the gates of heaven to us; Rejoice, you who intercede for the Kingdom of Heaven to those who love You. Rejoice, thou who art seated in heavenly glory before Thy Son and God; Rejoice, contemplating His Divine glory, honoring You. Rejoice, health of our bodies; Rejoice, salvation of our souls. Rejoice, Merciful Helper to Christians.
Kontakion 13
O All-Singing Mother, who gave birth to the saints, the Most Holy Word, sung by angels in Heaven, and glorified by men on earth! Mercifully accept this little prayer of ours, and grant bodily health and spiritual salvation to all who faithfully praise Thee and sing about Thee to the Triune God: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
