Akathist to the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow"
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos
O Most Holy Lady, Most Pure Virgin Theotokos, Mother of my Lord God, Jesus Christ, I fall down before you and pray to you, Mother of the Emperor, first addressing to you this unworthy prayer of mine, which the Mother of the Emperor of Him who reigns in heaven and earth has received, and takes to the King of kings, the Lord of all, to your Son and God, and asks for forgiveness for all my sins. Grant my life correction and, at the end of my life, a passage untroubled by the enemies in the air; be my guide, open to me the divine entrance of the Kingdom and there let me be sweetened by the sweetness of Paradise and the joy of that high city, the most beautiful Jerusalem above and its unspeakable beauties; by the brilliance of the light of the three-shining Trinity and by the sweet voice of the angelic hymns. Of whose glory and joy make me an heir and a partaker with all the saints, for you can do all things, as the Mother of the Almighty King. And now, but especially at this hour, hear me, who stand before you, all-merciful Mistress. Hear, O Lady Empress, me, who bring you prayer hymns like this:
Kontakion 1
O Lady Protector, for the victory of thanksgiving, delivering us from eternal death, through the gift of Him who was born of you, Christ our God, and through your maternal intercession before Him, we, your servants, offer to you. But, as you have invincible dominion, deliver us, your servants, from all needs and sufferings, who cry to you: Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Theotokos, joy of all who are afflicted!
Ikos 1
The foremost angel standing in Heaven was sent to say to you, Mother of God, Rejoice!; announcing, through the divine incarnation of Christ, the joy that would be born from you to the whole world, which was perishing in troubles. For this reason, we, who are burdened with sins, have hope of salvation through you, for which we humbly cry out to you:
Rejoice, God's goodwill towards us sinners
Rejoice, strong defender of those who repent before God for their sins
Rejoice, call of fallen Adam
Rejoice, deliverance from Eve's tears
Rejoice, you who cleanse us from the filth of sins
Rejoice, bath, who washes our conscience
Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Savior, who freely cleanses our iniquities
Rejoice, all-wonderful, reconciliation of all to God
Rejoice, bridge, who truly passes us from death to life
Rejoice, you who saved the world from the flood of sin
Rejoice, ladder heavenly, on which the Lord descended to us
Rejoice, intercessor of all to God
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Mother of God, joy of all who are afflicted!
Kontakion 2
I see springs of miracles flowing from your holy icon, O Mother of God, upon those who kneel and pray to you with faith; for you, being good, are a speedy helper to all; a defender of the oppressed, a hope for the hopeless, a comforter of the sorrowful, a feeder of the hungry; a garment for the naked, purity for the virgins, a good guide for strangers, a support for the weary, sight for the blind; good hearing for the deaf, speedy healing for the sick. For this, as is fitting, we sing with thanksgiving for you to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
The incomprehensible cause of the terrible torments that come upon us, as we seek to understand it, we run to you, O Mother and Virgin, asking for comfort and salvation. And you, as you are good, teach us to choose from them the merciful care of your Son and our good God, for the salvation of our souls and the cleansing of our many sins, and with joy we cry out to you:
Rejoice, good shelter of the troubled
Rejoice, strengthening of those who are weak in faith
Rejoice, you who are the only Mother of mercy
Rejoice, quick helper of those in need and tribulation
Rejoice, you who cleanse our sins through tribulations
Rejoice, you who heal our spiritual and bodily weaknesses through sorrows
Rejoice, you who teach us not to love the goods of this vain and passing world
Rejoice, you who raise our minds from the vain world to the highest above the world
Rejoice, you who draw us from earthly love to the heavenly love of God
Rejoice, you who, even in our sufferings, give us comfort and a life full of gifts
Rejoice, promise of heavenly blessings
Rejoice, intercessor of eternal joy
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Mother of God, joy of all who are troubled!
Kontakion 3
With power from on high, O all-good Mistress, strengthen me, your servant, who am weak in soul and body, and make me worthy of your care and concern, dispelling the darkness of sorrow and grief that surrounds me, so that through you, being saved, I may always sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Having unspeakable wealth of mercy, you extend a helping hand to all those in trouble, healing infirmities, curing illnesses and passions. Therefore, O all-good Lady, do not overlook your servants who lie on their beds of sorrow and cry out to you:
Rejoice, precious treasure of your mercy
Rejoice, hope of the hopeless
Rejoice, healing of our bodies
Rejoice, salvation of our souls
Rejoice, powerful helper of the helpless
Rejoice, defender and strengthener of those who are weak in faith
Rejoice, you who quickly appease the wrath of God with your prayers
Rejoice, you who, by the power of your prayers, appease our passions
Rejoice, sight of the blind and hearing of the deaf
Rejoice, walking of the lame and speech of the mute
Rejoice, healing through faith of the sick
Rejoice, for through you, according to the measure of faith, healings are given
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Mother of God, joy of all who are afflicted!
Kontakion 4
Your servants are beset by various troubles, temptations, and needs, the hardships of which they can no longer endure; but you, being the merciful Mother of our Savior and God, raise your hands to your Son, begging Him to look into the sorrowful hearts of your servants, and from the depths of despair to raise us, who with faith sing to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
Hearing the words of the Righteous Simeon, "A sword will pierce through your own soul," the Most Holy Virgin and Mother, you kept these words in your heart, knowing that the joy of a mother for her Son is intertwined with many sorrows in this world. Therefore, as you know sorrow and suffering in all things, you also know our sorrow; and as the only Mother of all, hear us also, who with faith cry out to you:
Rejoice, you who gave birth to joy to the world, Christ our Savior
Rejoice, you who deliver the world from troubles with your intercession
Rejoice, you who endured the insults and slander against your Son
Rejoice, you who suffered together with His passions
Rejoice, comfort of mothers of the sorrowful
Rejoice, you who guard us with the gift of your Son
Rejoice, our hasty helper in all needs
Rejoice, correction and guide of the lost
Rejoice, food and guardian of infants
Rejoice, guide of the young
Rejoice, Mother of the poor
Rejoice, support and the consolation of widows
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Theotokos, joy of all who mourn!
Kontakion 5
Seeing the divine blood of your Son being shed on the Cross for our salvation, as a servant of the Lord, humbly bowing to the will of the Father Who is in Heaven, you showed us the face of passion and patience, so that we, when we are in the furnace of temptations and needs, may humbly pray to God, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Seeing you, your Son and our God, standing by the Cross with His beloved disciple and with a heart torn by pain and suffering like Him, He said: “Woman, behold your son!” and to the disciple: “Behold your mother!”, making all those who believe in Him your sons. And we, as sharers in the sorrows and passions of your Son, to you, intercessor Mother, having all hope, with faith we cry out to you:
Rejoice, Mother of the Christian nation
Rejoice, you who united God with people
Rejoice, you who brought the faithful to the Lord
Rejoice, Lamb, you who gave birth to the Lamb who took away the sins of the world
Rejoice, vessel, you who draw joy from the source of immortality
Rejoice, intercessor for the salvation of sinners
Rejoice, resurrection of those who have fallen into sin
Rejoice, you who are the healing of all the helpless
Rejoice, you who are the search for the lost
Rejoice, the unheard-of joy of sinners
Rejoice, the appeasement of all sorrow
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Mother of God, joy of all who grieve!
Kontakion 6
I proclaim your mercy, O Mother of God, to all the ends of the world, for with your honorable Covering you cover the entire Christian nation; for which you always pray to Christ the Savior of the world, and deliver from all needs your God-fearing servants, who with faith sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Shining with radiant rays the gift from your holy icon, Mother of God, we with faith bow our knees before it and with tears we pray to you; Drive away the cloud of temptations that come upon your servants, and with joy let us cry out to you:
Rejoice, you who carry the prayers of the faithful to your Son and our God
Rejoice, you who stand before the throne of the Godhead and pray for us
Rejoice, mediator between God and man, who delivers us from needs
Rejoice, defender of the Christian race, given to us by God
Rejoice, beautified tree, with which many are covered
Rejoice, tree with bright fruit, from which the faithful are nourished
Rejoice, cover of the world, wider than the clouds
Rejoice, land of promise from which all heavenly and earthly blessings flow to us
Rejoice, bright sun, who unceasingly enlightens the faithful
Rejoice, pillar of fire, who guides the chosen ones to the Heavenly Kingdom
Rejoice, furrow, who increases the multitude of mercies
Rejoice, who bestows upon us all good things
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Theotokos, joy of all who are afflicted!
Kontakion 7
Wishing to show the sources of miracles from your holy icon “Joy of all who mourn,” you commanded, O Lady, the sick Euthymia to perform prayer songs before your holy icon, and having received healing, to proclaim to all your mercies, which you have bestowed through your holy icon, so that the source of healings that you give as a gift to all who need them may not be hidden. For this reason, we do not hide your miracles and good deeds from us, your servants, but with gratitude we glorify God and sing to him: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
The Pool of Siloam heals diseases, but above all, Most Holy Lady, your church has appeared, in which we worship your miracle-working icon. For this, not only once a year, and not only those who enter first acquire health, but forever heals all the wounds of soul and body of those who, with good faith and love, come to you. For this we cry out to you:
Rejoice, bather, in whom all our spiritual and bodily sorrows are drowned
Rejoice, cup, with which joy and salvation are received
Rejoice, stone, who gave drink to those thirsty for life
Rejoice, wood, who sweetens the bitter waters of the worldly sea
Rejoice, inexhaustible source of life-giving water
Rejoice, who sweetens our bitter sorrows
Rejoice, bath, who washes away the filth of sin
Rejoice, appeasement of our sorrows
Rejoice, healing of our diseases
Rejoice, who delivers us from needs
Rejoice, who tramples on the power of demons
Rejoice, who shames our enemies
Rejoice, full of but, Virgin Theotokos, the joy of all who are troubled!
Kontakion 8
Bastards and strangers to the Christian faith are those who do not worship your all-holy image, for you, Mistress, as a Mother of the One in the Holy Trinity, have sent the gift of miracles upon your holy icon. For this reason, those who are tormented by unclean spirits and worship your holy icon with faith, you heal and make them healthy. All those who are sick in soul and body who pray to you, you heal, and you order what is beneficial for them. For these many of your good deeds, with gratitude we cry out to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Our entire life on earth is filled with pain and sorrow. The soul is sick with sins, the body is tormented with pain, because the wrath of God for our sins punishes us. To you, however, we run, O Mother of God, and falling down before your most venerable icon, we pray: Fill our sorrowful hearts with joy and gladness, and with joy let us cry out to you:
Rejoice, guide who leads us to the heavenly homeland
Rejoice, Queen of heaven and earth, who opens the doors of Paradise for us
Rejoice, most merciful one, who has mercy on us
Rejoice, ruler of the house, who well orders our lives
Rejoice, most blessed one, who was proclaimed by the prophets
Rejoice, blessed womb, who gave birth to the Son of God
Rejoice, unburnt pyre
Rejoice, incorruptible wall
Rejoice, life-giving spring
Rejoice, everlasting flower unfading
Rejoice, taming of the hearts of the wicked
Rejoice, unceasing joy of the faithful
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Mother of God, joy of all who are afflicted!
Kontakion 9
All the worldly sweetness in this life is mingled with sorrow. Greatness and wealth pass away. Beauty and health fade. Close friends are taken away by death. Sweeten, therefore, the troubles of your servants, the cause of goodness, and grant your unfading joy to us, who cry to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
The eloquent orators do not know with what words to comfort the afflicted. But you alone, Mistress, grant comfort to our hearts, with the rays of your gift. Dispel the cloud of our troubles and the darkness of sorrow, so that we may cry out to you:
Rejoice, for you are the hope of joy for all Christians
Rejoice, joy and reconciliation of the world
Rejoice, giver of heavenly and earthly blessings
Rejoice, hope of our salvation
Rejoice, ship of those who want to be saved
Rejoice, harbor of those who swim on the sea of this life
Rejoice, only guardian of those who, according to God, hope in you
Rejoice, clothing of those who are naked with boldness for the multitude of sins
Rejoice, guardian and strengthening of all
Rejoice, protector and holy shelter of all believers
Rejoice, helper of all who pray to you with faith
Rejoice, luminous knowledge of the gift
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Mother of God, joy of all who are afflicted!
Kontakion 10
The Lord, the lover of mankind, wanting to save the world from eternal torment and from unceasing suffering, dwelt in your ever-virgin womb and gave you, His Mother, to the perishing, for help, for shelter and defense, that you may be comfort to the sorrowful, joy to the troubled, hope to the hopeless, that you may deliver us from eternal torment, through your intercession, and bring to eternal joy all who with faith cry out to your Son and our God: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
You are a wall to the virgins, Mother of God, and to all who run to your Shelter. For this we pray to you: defend, cover and guard all the poor and helpless, and deliver from temptations, troubles and needs those who cry out to you with faith:
Rejoice, pillar of virginity
Rejoice, chosen vessel of purity and entire virginity
Rejoice, the great crown of those who struggle with asceticism against lust
Rejoice, you who give eternal joy to those who toil in the monastic life
Rejoice, you who deliver us from the flames of passions
Rejoice, you who drive away the darkness of temptations
Rejoice, guide of entire virginity
Rejoice, supporter of purity
Rejoice, correction of people
Rejoice, she through whom we have risen from our fall
Rejoice, strong strengthening of faith
Rejoice, the pleasant incense of prayer
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Mother of God, joy of all who are afflicted!
Kontakion 11
We, your servants, offer you a song of utter humility, O Theotokos, the almighty defender of the Christian race. Assuage the ailments of your servants who sigh, and appease the wrath of God, which justly comes upon us for our sins. Deliver us, your servants, from all troubles, who cry out to God for you: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
A torch receiving light from the coal of God's gift, kindled by your most venerable icon, O Lady, appeared to us for our sanctification and comfort. And we, lovingly honoring her, and with faith kneeling before her, cry out to you:
Rejoice, you who with your powerful defense deliver us from all needs
Rejoice, you who deliver us from spiritual and bodily hunger
Rejoice, you who with your prayers extinguish the fire of our passions
Rejoice, you who deliver us from eternal death
Rejoice, strong helper in wars
Rejoice, you who cover us from the invasion of other nations
Rejoice, you who deliver us from the war between us
Rejoice, you who guard those who travel on land and on water
Rejoice, you who deliver the captives
Rejoice, speedy deliverance from the terror of God, which justly comes upon us our
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Mother of God, joy of all who are troubled!
Kontakion 12
As a pledge of your gifts, wishing to give to the Christian nation your miracle-working icon, you have given it to us, Mother of God, from which, to those who come with faith, springs of miracles flow. Weaknesses are healed and troubles are soothed. For this reason, with joy, we cry out to God for you: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Singing your mercies and wonders, O Virgin Theotokos, we all praise you as our strong intercessor, and with humility we come to you, who pray for us. And we ask you to lift up your hands to your Son, begging Him that always in this life, and after our death, His mercy may not depart from us, who cry out to you:
Rejoice, our hope in this life and after our death
Rejoice, you who order a sweet and peaceful end of this life, to all who hope in you
Rejoice, you who are our hope and defense on the day of Judgment
Rejoice, the taming of the Righteous Judge
Rejoice, you who deliver us from eternal hell
Rejoice, hope of salvation for all
Rejoice, key to the Kingdom of Christ
Rejoice, door of Paradise
Rejoice, bridge leading to Heaven
Rejoice, shelter and good defense of all sinners who repent of their sins
Rejoice, joy of angels
Rejoice, glory and consolation of all the righteous
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Mother of God, joy of all who are afflicted!
Kontakion 13
O all-praised Theotokos, who gave birth to the King Christ our God for the joy of Heaven and earth, hear the voice of your humble servants. Receive this small prayer of ours and deliver us from all needs. Heal our spiritual and bodily infirmities. Drive away from us all evil and sorrow. Grant us health, and by your prayers deliver us from eternal labor, who sing to God for you: Alleluia!
(this Kontakion is said three times)
Then again Ikos 1
Ikos 1
The foremost angel standing in Heaven was sent to say to you, Mother of God, Rejoice!; announcing, through the divine incarnation of Christ, the joy that would be born from you to the whole world, which was perishing in troubles. For this reason, we, who are burdened with sins, have hope of salvation through you, for which we humbly cry out to you:
Rejoice, God's goodwill towards us sinners
Rejoice, strong defender of those who repent before God for their sins
Rejoice, call of fallen Adam
Rejoice, deliverance from Eve's tears
Rejoice, you who cleanse us from the filth of sins
Rejoice, bath, who washes our conscience
Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Savior, who freely cleanses our iniquities
Rejoice, all-wonderful, reconciliation of all to God
Rejoice, bridge, who truly passes us from death to life
Rejoice, you who saved the world from the flood of sin
Rejoice, ladder heavenly, on which the Lord descended to us
Rejoice, intercessor of all to God
Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Mother of God, joy of all who are afflicted!
Kontakion 1
O Lady Protector, for the victory of thanksgiving, delivering us from eternal death, through the gift of Him who was born of you, Christ our God, and through your maternal intercession before Him, we, your servants, offer to you. But, as you have invincible dominion, deliver us, your servants, from all needs and sufferings, who cry to you: Rejoice, full of gifts, Virgin Theotokos, joy of all who are afflicted!
Prayers to the Mother of God
O Most Holy Lady of God, the Mother of God, who art higher than the Cherubim and more honorable than the Seraphim, the chosen Virgin of God, the joy of all who are in trouble; grant comfort to us also, who are in trouble, for apart from you we have no other refuge and help.
You alone are the intercessor of our joy, and as the Mother of God and the Mother of mercy, standing before the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity, you can help us. For none of those who pray to you with faith is ashamed.
Hear us now, in the day of our trouble, who fall before your icon and with tears pray to you. Drive away from us all the troubles and needs that come upon us in this temporal life and through your almighty intercession, do not deprive us of the eternal and endless joy in the Kingdom of your Son and our God. Amen.
My most good Queen, my hope, Mother of God, friend of the poor, helper of the helpless and protector of the afflicted; see my need and my distress. Help me, for I am helpless, feed me as a stranger.
You know my need, relieve me of it as you wish, for I have no other helper besides you, no other swift helper, no other good comfort, except you alone, O Mother of God, to guard me and cover me forever and ever. Amen.
