Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church

124 Wadsworth Ave., New York, NY 10033 / 212-795-5870 / saintspyridon.net

Service of the

Great Paraklisis to the

Most Holy Theotokos

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Thou art a gold-entwined tower and twelve-walled encircled city, a throne

besprinkled with sunbeams, a royal chair of the King. O inexplicable wonder! that
thou dost milk-feed the Master.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have
mercy on us and save us.
Priest:

People:

Amen.
(But during the rest of the year, the foregoing Exapostilaria
are replaced by the following Theotokia:)
Second Tone, When from the Tree

All those who in faith flee unto thee, with thy mighty hand dost thou shelter, O
pure one, as thou art good; no one else have we who sin as a perpetual intercession
with our God in dangers and sorrows, we who have been burdened down with
our abundant sins, Mother of God in the highest. Wherefore, we all fall down
before thee; rescue us, thy servants from adversities.
Joy of all that sorrow art thou, and of the oppressed a protectress, and nurture of
all the poor, comfort unto the estranged, a staff art thou of the blind, visitation of
all the sick, a shelter and succor unto those brought down by pain, helper of
orphaned ones: Mother of God in the Highest art thou, O immaculate Maiden;
hasten, we beseech thee, to redeem thy slaves.
Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Lady, do receive the supplications of thy slaves, and deliver us from every
affliction and necessity.
Second Tone

Unto thee do I commit mine every hope, O Mother of God; guard me under thy
shelter.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have
mercy on us and save us.
Priest:

People:

Amen.

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Hearken unto us, O God our Savior, Thou hope of all the ends of the earth
and of them that be far off at sea. Be gracious, be gracious unto our sins, O Master,
and have mercy on us.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

For a merciful and man-befriending God art Thou, and unto Thee do we
send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever,
and unto the ages of ages.
Priest:

People:

Amen.

Glory to Thee, O God, our hope, glory to Thee. Christ our true God, by the
intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother, of the holy,
glorious, and all-famed Apostles, of the holy, glorious, victorious martyrs, of Saint
(of the church), of the holy, righteous Ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, of Saint (of
the day), whose memory we celebrate, and of all the Saints, may He have mercy on
us and save us, for He is good and the Friend of man.
Priest:

(During the Fast of the Theotokos, the following Exapostilaria are chanted: )
Third Tone

O ye Apostles from afar, being now gathered together here in the vale of
Gethsemane, give burial to my body; and Thou, my Son and my God, receive
Thou my spirit.
Thou art the sweetness of Angels, the gladness of afflicted ones, and the
protectress of Christians, O Virgin Mother of our Lord; be thou my helper, and
save me from out of eternal torments.
I have thee as Mediatress with the man-befriending God; may He not censure
my actions before the hosts of the Angels. I supplicate thee, O Virgin, come unto
mine aid most quickly.

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Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.
Psalm 142

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O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear to my supplications in Thy truth; hear me in

Thy righteousness.
And enter not into judgment, with Thy servant, for in Thy shall no man living
be justified.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the
earth;
He hath sat me in darkness as those who have been long dead, and my spirit
within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled.
I remembered days of old; I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the
creations of Thy hands.
I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirstesth after Thee like a
waterless land.
Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away.
Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope.
Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have
I lifted up my soul.
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach
me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.
Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness. For Thy names sake,
O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me.
In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy
mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them
that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.
Tone 4

God is the Lord; and hath appeared unto us; blessed is He that cometh in the
name of the Lord.

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Again we pray for our Archbishop (name), and for our Bishop (name), and for
all our brotherhood in Christ.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and
remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious and Orthodox Christians
who dwell and sojourn in this city, the parishioners, trustees, supporters, and
benefactors of this holy temple.
Priest:

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People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Again we pray also for the servants of God (The Priest commemorateth those for
whom the Paraklesis is chanted.)
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Again we also pray that this holy church, this city and every city and land,
be protected from wrath, plague, famine, earthquake, flood, fire, the sword,
foreign invasions, civil war, and sudden death; that our good and man-befriending
God may be gracious and forgiving, and turn away and disperse every wrath and
sickness which is roused against us, and deliver us from His impending and just
rebuke, and have mercy on us.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Again we pray that the Lord our God may hear the supplication of us
sinners, and have mercy on us.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

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O give thanks unto the Lord and call upon His holy Name.

Verse 1

God is the Lord; and hath appeared unto us; blessed is He that cometh in the
name of the Lord.

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All the nations compassed me round about, and by the Name of the Lord, I warded
them off.
Verse 2

God is the Lord; and hath appeared unto us; blessed is He that cometh in the
name of the Lord.
Verse 3

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This is the Lords doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

God is the Lord; and hath appeared unto us; blessed is He that cometh in the
name of the Lord.
Tone 4

To Gods Birthgiver let us run now most earnestly, we sinners all and wretched
ones, and fall prostrate in repentance, calling from the depths of our souls: Lady,
come unto our aid, have compassion upon us; hasten thou, for we are lost in a
throng of transgressions; turn not thy servants away with empty hands, for thee
alone do we have as our only hope.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

(Repeat the above or the Apolytikion of the church.)

Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O Theotokos, we shall not cease from speaking of all thy mighty acts, all we the
unworthy ones; for if thou hadst not stood to intercede for us, who would have
delivered us from such numerous dangers? Who would have preserved us all
until now in true freedom? O Lady, we shall not turn away from thee; for thou
dost always save thy servants from all manner of grief.

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Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the
multitude of Thy compassion blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

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Grave Tone.

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Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Thy
disciples Thy glory as each one could endure. Shine forth Thou on us who are
sinners all Thy light ever unending, through the prayers of the Theotokos; Lightbestower, glory to thee.
(During the rest of the year, the following Troparia are chanted:)
Plagal of the Second Tone

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us; for lacking as we are in all defense,
this supplication do we sinners offer unto Thee, as our Master: Have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we placed all our trust; be not wroth
with us greatly, nor do Thou remember our iniquities; but look upon us even now,
since Thou art compassionate, and do Thou redeem us from our enemies; for Thou
art our God, and we Thy people; all are the works of Thy hands, and upon Thy
Name have we called.
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Do thou open the portal of compassion unto us, O most blessed Theotokos; for
hoping in thee, let us not fail, we pray; through thee may we be delivered from
adversities, for thou art the salvation of the Christian race.
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee,
hearken and have mercy.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Priest:

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

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For I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.

Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou
mightiest be justified in Thy words and prevail when Thou art judged.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me.
For behold, Thou hast loved truth: the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom
hast Thou made manifest unto me.
Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they
shall rejoice.
Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
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.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and establish me with Thy governing
Spirit.
I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to Thee.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my
tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness.
O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings
Thou shalt not be pleased.
A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God
will not despise.
Do good in Thy good pleasure to Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.
Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and
whole-burnt offerings.
Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

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(The Megalynarion of the church is chanted. Then:)

O all ye arrays of Angelic Hosts, with the holy Baptist, the Apostles twelvenumbered band, all the Saints together, as well as Gods Birthgiver, pray make ye
intercession for our deliverance.

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People:

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever,
and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master,
pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy names
sake.
Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever,
and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Priest:

People:

Amen.
(During the fast of the Theotokos, the first fourteen days of August, the apolytikion of the day
is chanted, followed by the Theotokion in the same tone. During the period of the Feast of thel

Transfiguration, from the 6th until the 13th of August, the following Apolytikion is chanted once:)

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Ode 1. The Heirmos. Plagal of the 4 Tone.

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The charioteer of Pharoah was sunk in olden times by Moses rod, which wrought a
mighty wonder when, in the Crosss form, it struck the sea, dividing it in twain; and it led
into safety sojourning Israel that fled by foot, chanting to the Lord God a song of praise.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

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My humble soul is troubled by the rising tempests of afflictions and woes; and clouds of
misfortunes overcome me, bringing darkness to my heart, O Bride of God. But since thou
art the Mother of the Divine and Eternal Light, shine thy gladsome light and illumine me.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

From countless trials and afflictions, grievous woes, and from misfortunes of life have I
been delivered by thy mighty strength, O spotless and immaculate Maid. I extol and I
magnify thine immeasurable sympathy, and the loving care that thou hast for me.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Having my hope now in thy mighty help, O Maid, I flee for refuge to thee; and unto thy
shelter have I run wholeheartedly, O Lady, and I bow my knee; and I mourn and cry
weeping: Do not disdain me, the wretched one, for thou art the refuge of Christian folk.
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

I shall not cease from making known most manifestly thy great deeds, Maid of God; for if
thou wert not present to intercede in my behalf and importune thy Son and God, who
would free and deliver me from such tempests and turbulence, and surmount the perils
that trouble me?
Preserve and save, O Theotokos, thy servants from every danger; after God do all of us for
refuge flee unto thee; a firm rampart art thou and our protection.

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In thy good will, look thou on me, O all-hymned Theotokos; and do thou behold my
bodys grievous infirmity, and heal thou the cause of my souls sorrow.

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Preserve and save, O Theotokos, thy servants from every danger; after God do all
of us for refuge flee unto thee; a firm rampart art thou and our protection.
In thy good will, look thou on me, O all-hymned Theotokos; and do thou behold
my bodys grievous infirmity, and heal thou the cause of my souls sorrow.
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It is truly meet to call thee blest, the Theotokos, the ever-blessed and allimmaculate, and mother of our God.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than
the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very
Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
(The Priest censeth while we chant these Megalynaria:)
Higher than the heavens above art thou, and thou art much purer than the
radiance of the sun; for thou has redeemed us out of the curse that held us. O
Mistress of creation, with hymns we honor thee.
From the great abundance of all my sins, ill am I in body, ailing also am I in
soul. Thee have I as refuge; do thou, therefore, help me, O hope of all the hopeless,
for thou art full of grace.
O Lady and Mother of Christ our God, receive supplication from us wretches
who beg of thee that thou make entreaty unto the One born from thee; O Mistress
of creation, do thou intercede for us.
Now we chant with eagerness unto thee with this ode most joyful, O allhymned Mother of our God; together with the Baptist and all the saintly choirs,
beseech, O Theotokos, that we find clemency.
Speechless be the lips of the impious who refuse to reverence thy revered icon
which is known by the name Directress, and which hath been depicted for us by
the Apostle Luke the Evangelist.

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Ode 3. The Heirmos.

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Of the vault of the heavens art Thou, O Lord, Fashioner; so, too, of the Church art
Thou founder; do Thou establish me in unfeigned love for Thee, Who art the
height of things sought for, and staff of the faithful, O Thou only Friend of man.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

At a loss and despairing, I cry with pain unto thee: Hasten, O thou fervent
protection; grant thou thy help to me, who am thy lowly slave and wretched
servant, O Maiden; for with heartfelt fervor I come seeking for thine aid.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Thou, O Lady, hast truly been shown to be wondrous now in thy benefactions and
mercies granted to me, O Maid; hence do I glorify and acclaim thee, whilst
praising thy great loving care and thy boundless solicitude.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Mighty storms of misfortunes, O Lady, pass over me; and the swelling waves of
afflictions plunge me into the depths. But be thou quick to come; lend me thy
helping hand, Maiden, for thou art my fervent protectress and sure support.
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

I profess thee, O Lady, as the true Mother of God: thee, who hast both banished
and triumphed over the might of death; for as the source of Life, thou hast freed
me from Hades bonds, raising me to life, though to earth was I fallen down.

Preserve and save, O Theotokos, thy servants from every danger; after God do all
of us for refuge flee unto thee; a firm rampart art thou and our protection.
In thy good will, look thou on me, O all-hymned Theotokos; and do thou behold
my bodys grievous infirmity, and heal thou the cause of my souls sorrow.

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Ode 9. The Heirmos.

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Most Holy Theotokos save us.

To whom else shall I flee, O thou Maid most pure, and to whom shall I run for
help and be saved? Where shall I go, and where shall I find me a safe retreat?
Whose warm protection shall I have? Who shall be a helper in my distress? In
thee alone I hope, Maid; in thee alone I glory; and trusting in thee, I have fled to
thee.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

To number thy great deeds and thy mighty acts is not possible for man, O Bride of
God, nor yet can one tell of the unfathomable abyss of thine unending miracles
that surpass all knowledge, and which are wrought for those that venerate thee
and honor thee with longing as the true Mother of our Lord and God.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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The heavens were astonished and stood in awe, and the ends of the earth, Maid,
were sore amazed for God appeared bodily to mankind as very man. And lo, thy
womb hath proved to be vaster and more spacious than heavens heights. For this,
O Theotokos, the choirs and assemblies of men and angels magnify thy name.

With anthems of thanksgiving I glorify and chant praise to thine infinite mercy,
and thy boundless might I confess unceasingly unto all; and with my soul and
heart and mind and my lips I magnify and proclaim the many benefactions that
thou has poured upon me in thy compassion, O thou Bride of God.
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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Accept thou mine entreaty and my poor prayer, and disdain not my weeping and
sighs, O Maid, nor my lament, but be quick to help me since thou art good. Do
thou fulfil mine every plea; thou canst do this in that thou broughtest forth our
mighty God and Master, if thou but look upon me and bow down to mine utter
lowliness.

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Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee,
hearken and have mercy.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name), our Bishop (name), and for all our
brotherhood in Christ.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and
remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious and Orthodox Christians,
who dwell and sojourn in this city, the parishioners, trustees, supporters, and
benefactors of this holy temple.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Again we pray also for the servants of God (The Priest commemorates those for
whom the Paraklesis is chanted.)
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

For a merciful and man-befriending God art Thou, and unto Thee do we
send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever,
and unto the ages of ages.
Priest:

People:

Amen.

Tone 2.

A Fervent Advocate, invincible battlement, fountain of mercy, and sheltering

retreat for the world, earnestly we cry to thee: Lady Mother of God, hasten thou,
and save us from all imperilment; for thou alone art our speedy protectress.

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Ode 8. The Heirmos.

Let us ever extol and praise the Lord God Who was seen of old on the holy mount
in glory, Who by the fiery bush revealed the great mystery of the Ever-virgin and
undefiled Maiden unto the Prophet Moses.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Be thou moved to compassion, O Virgin, and disdain me not, for lifes tempests
overwhelm me. But be thou quick, O modest one, and lend me thy helping hand,
O Maiden, for I perish drowning engulfed by lifes misfortunes.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

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Times of sorrows, necessity, and trouble, and misfortunes in life have found me, O
pure Maiden; and from all sides temptations have encircled me; but be thou mine
ally, and do thou protect me in thine almighty shelter.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

In distress I have thee, Maid, as my haven, and in sorrows and griefs thou art my
joy and gladness; and in all illness, thou hast been my quick help, and rescuer in
perils, and in all temptations my guardian and protectress.
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Rejoice, fiery throne of the Lord God; rejoice, thou sacred vessel that art filled with
manna; rejoice, thou golden lampstand and unquenchable lamp; rejoice, O glory of
virgins and thou boast and adornment of mothers.
(It is customary not to repeat the following two hymns:)
Preserve and save, O Theotokos, thy servants from every danger; after God do all
of us for refuge flee unto thee; a firm rampart art thou and our protection.
In thy good will, look thou on me, O all-hymned Theotokos; and do thou behold
my bodys grievous infirmity, and heal thou the cause of my souls sorrow.

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Ode 4. The Heirmos.

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Thou art my strength; Thou art my power and might, O Lord; Thou art my God; Thou
Who wast not absent from Thy Fathers arms, Thou Lord, art my joy. Thou hast deigned
to visit our lowliness and our poverty. To Thee, therefore, I cry out with Abbacum the
Prophet: Glory be to Thy power, O Friend of man.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Where else whall I find me another to be my help? To what refuge shall I hasten to be
saved? Whose fervent aid shall I have in need? Alas, I am shaken by lifes affliction and
turbulence. In thee alone, O Maiden, do I hope, trust, and glory; and I run to thy shelter;
do thou save me.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

I magnify and I proclaim, O thou all-pure one, the sweet river of thy tender mercy and thy
loving care; for with many gifts hath it greatly refreshed my tormented and truly lowly
soul, afire in a furnace of misfortunes and sorrows; and I run to thy shelter; do thou save
me.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Thou, O pure Maid, all-holy Virgin and spotless one, art mine only steadfast shelter and
retreat, and mighty wall that cannot be breached, my weapon of salvation. Do not disdain
me, the prodigal, O hope of the despairing and ally of the ailing, O thou gladness and help
of afflicted ones.
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

How shall I laud, how shall I worthily sing the praise of thy boundless mercies and
compassions which have ever cooled and refreshed my soul, aflame and tormented, O
Lady, and wounded grievously? Indeed thy benefactions and thy providence, Maiden,
are bestowed upon me most abundantly.
Preserve and save, O Theotokos, thy servants from every danger; after God do all of us for
refuge flee unto thee; a firm rampart art thou and our protection.
In thy good will, look thou on me, O all-hymned Theotokos; and do thou behold my
bodys grievous infirmity, and heal thou the cause of my souls sorrow.

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Page 28
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, ,
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Ode 7. The Heirmos.

The three Hebrew Children in the furnace trampled on the flames with courage
and great boldness; they turned fire to dew, and cried out with a great voice:
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, unto ages of ages.

.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

, , ,
, ,
.

Illumine my way, for I am darkened by the night of many sins, O Theotokos; for thou brought forth the Light, and art in truth the blameless and
undefiled vessel of light; hence with love do I praise thee.

.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

,
, ,
, , , .

Be thou my shelter and protection and my help and boast, O Virgin Theotokos; of
all manner of help have I now been stripped naked, O strength of those bereft of
help, and thou hope of those without hope..

.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

,

, .

With my whole soul and understanding and with all my heart and with my lips I
praise thee, having truly enjoyed thy many benefactions; yet boundless are thy
miracles, and thy goodness is unending.

. .
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

,
; ,
, .
,
, .
,
, .

Look thou with graciousness upon me, and dispel the evil plight that doth beset
me; and from grievous distress and harm and temptations and perils do thou
rescue me in thine infinite mercy.
Preserve and save, O Theotokos, thy servants from every danger; after God do all
of us for refuge flee unto thee; a firm rampart art thou and our protection.
In thy good will, look thou on me, O all-hymned Theotokos; and do thou behold
my bodys grievous infirmity, and heal thou the cause of my souls sorrow.

Page 27

Page 16
Ode 5. The Heirmos.
. .

,
, , ,
.

Wherefore hast Thou deprived me, and cast me, the hapless one, far from Thy countenance;
and the outer darkness hath enshrouded and cast its gloom over me. Yet, now I beseech
thee: Do Thou convert me and direct me to the light of Thy precepts, O Lord my God.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

, , ,
, ,
.

As one grateful I cry out: Rejoice, O Virgin Mother; rejoice, O thou Bride of God; rejoice, O
holy shelter; rejoice, weapon and rampart invincible; rejoice, thou the protection and the
assistance and salvation of all them that run to thee, O Maid of God.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

, ,
,
.

They that hate me without cause have made ready a dart and a sword and pit for me; and
my hapless body do they seek to destroy and to rend in twain; and they seek to bring me
into the depths of earth, O pure one; but be quick and come save me from them, O Maid.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

,

!

From all need and affliction and from all disease and harm do thou deliver me; and by thy
power, in thy shelter preserve me unwounded, Maid; and from every peril and foes that
hate and war against me do thou hasten to save me, O all-hymned one.
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

. .

,
,
.
,
, .
,
, .

What gift of thanksgiving shall I offer in gratefulness unto thee, O Maid, for thy
boundless goodness and the favors and gifts that I have from thee? Hence, indeed
I praise thee, and glorify and magnify thine inexpressible sympathy shown to me.
Preserve and save, O Theotokos, thy servants from every danger; after God do all
of us for refuge flee unto thee; a firm rampart art thou and our protection.
In thy good will, look thou on me, O all-hymned Theotokos; and do thou behold
my bodys grievous infirmity, and heal thou the cause of my souls sorrow.

Page 17

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, ,
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,
,
, .
.

,

.
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, ,
,
.
. .

, , ,
,
, .

From thee is no one turned away ashamed and empty who doth run to thee for
refuge, O pure Virgin Theotokos; but he asketh the favor and receiveth the gift
from thee, unto the profit of his own request.
The transformation of the afflicted and the relief of those in sickness art thou in
truth, O Virgin Theotokos; save thy people and thy flock, thou who art the peace of
the embattled, and who art the calm of the storm-driven, the only protectress of
those who believe.
Save, O God, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; visit Thy world with
mercy and compassions; exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians, and send down
upon us Thy rich mercies: by the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady
Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary; by the power of the honored and life-giving
Cross; by the protection of the venerable, heavenly Bodiless Powers; by the
supplications of the venerable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; of
the holy, glorious, and all-famed Apostles; of our Fathers among the Saints, the
great Hierarchs and universal Teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian,
and John Chrysostom; Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra, the wonderworkers; of the
holy, glorious, and triumphantly victorious Martyrs; of our righteous and Godbearing Fathers; of Saint (of the church); of the holy, righteous Ancestors of God
Joachim and Anna; of Saint (of the day) whose memory we celebrate, and of all Thy
Saints: We beseech Thee, Thou only greatly merciful God, hearken unto us sinners
who pray unto Thee, and have mercy on us.
Priest:

People:

,
, .
,
, .

Lord, have mercy. (12)

By the mercy and compassions and love for man of Thine Only-begotten
Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine All-holy and good and
life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Priest:

People:

Amen.

Page 25

Page 18
Ode 6. The Heirmos.

, ,
,
.
, ,
, ,
, , .
, ,




, , ,
,
,
, ,

, ,

( ) ,

( ), ,

.
:

, (12).

, ,

, .
:

Entreaty do I pour forth unto the Lord, and to Him do I proclaim all my sorrows, for
many woes fill my heart to repletion, and lo, my life unto Hades hath now drawn nigh;
like Jonas do I pray to Thee: Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

The storm clouds of grievous sorrows and distress shroud my hapless heart and soul in
affliction, and with their gloom have they filled me, O Virgin. Yet since thou brought
forth the Light Unapproachable, be quick to drive them far from me with the breeze of thy
holy entreaties, Maid.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.

A comfort art thou to me in my distress, and I have thee as a healer of all illness; of death
art thou the most perfect destruction; thou art an unfailing fountain flowing with life, and
speedy help and quick support of all them that are found in misfortunes, Maid.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

I shall not conceal the ever-flowing spring of the sympathy thou hast for me, O
Lady, nor the abyss of thine infinite mercy, nor yet the fountain of thy boundless
miracles; but ceaselessly do I cry out and confess and declare and proclaim them,
Maid.
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The turmoils of this life encircle me like unto bees about a honeycomb, O Virgin,
and they have seized and now hold my heart captive, and I am pierced with the
stings of afflictions, Maid; yet be thou, O all-holy one, my defender and helper and
rescuer.
Preserve and save, O Theotokos, thy servants from every danger; after God do all
of us for refuge flee unto thee; a firm rampart art thou and our protection.
In thy good will, look thou on me, O all-hymned Theotokos; and do thou behold
my bodys grievous infirmity, and heal thou the cause of my souls sorrow.

Page 19

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, , ,
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:

, (3).

( )
( ) .
:

, (3) .

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.
:

At that time, Jesus entered into a certain village; and a certain woman named
Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also
sat at Jesus feet, and heard His word. But Martha was distracted about much
serving, and came to Him, and said: Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath
left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered
and said unto her: Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many
things; but one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall
not be taken away from her. And it came to pass, as He spake these things, a
certain woman from the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto Him: Blessed
is the womb that bare Thee, and the breasts which Thou hast sucked. And He
said: Yea, of a truth, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it.
Priest:

People:

Tone 2.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

, (3) .

(
, ).
:

Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Father, Word, and Spirit, the Trinity in Unity: blot out the multitude of mine
offences.
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

, (3).

, , ,
.
:

By the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of
mine offences.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according
to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgressions.
Verse:

.
Plagal of the Second Tone
. .

,
,
, , ,
, ,
.

O entrust me not, I pray, to any human protection, O our Lady, holy one, but
do thou accept the prayer of thy supplicant. Sorrow hath fettered me, and I am
unable to endure and bear the demons darts; a shelter have I not, neither place to
run, I, the wretched one; embattled from all sides am I, and no consolation have I
but thee. Mistress of creation, protection and hope of faithful ones: Turn not away
when I pray to thee; do that which will profit me.

Page 23

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,
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,
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, , ,
,
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, , . ,
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:

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, , ,
.

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee,
hearken and have mercy.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name), our Bishop (name), and for all our
brotherhood in Christ.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and
remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious and Orthodox Christians,
who dwell and sojourn in this city, the parishioners, trustees, supporters, and
benefactors of this holy temple.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Again we pray also for the servants of God (The Priest commemorates those for
whom the Paraklesis is chanted.)
Priest:

. .
People:

, ,
.
, ,
.

Lord, have mercy (3).

For a merciful and man-befriending God art Thou, and unto Thee do we
send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever,
and unto the ages of ages.
Priest:

People:

Amen.

. . .

, , ,
, ,
,
, ,
, ,
, .

Kontakion. Tone 2.

O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator
most constant: O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be
thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten
to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who doest ever protect,
O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

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Fourth Tone.

,
, (2).

From my youth do many passions war against me; but do Thou Thyself defend
and save me, O my Savior. (2)

, ,
(2).

Ye haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord; for, like grass, by the fire shall ye
be withered. (2)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

, , ,
, .

In the Holy Spirit every soul is quickened, and through cleansing is exalted and
made radiant by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner..
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

. .

,
, .
. (2)
, , , ,
,
.
.

.

, .
:

:
:
:

, (3).
, . .
.

, .
.
:

, , .

By the Holy Spirit the streams of grace gush forth, watering all creation for the
begetting of life.
I shall commemorate thy Name in every generation and generation. (2)
Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear; and forget thine own
people, and thy fathers house; and the King shall greatly desire thy beauty.
Verse

I shall remember your Holy Name from generation to generation.

And that we may be deemed worthy to hear the holy Gospel, let us beseech
the Lord our God.
Priest:

People:

Lord, have mercy (3).

Priest:

Wisdom. Upright. Let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace be unto all.

People:

And to thy spirit.

Priest:

The reading of the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke. Let us attend.

People:

Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.