Icon of the Mother of God "Gerontissa": history, location, meaning, what it helps with + text of the prayer appeal

The story of a wonderful image

The story of the appearance of the miraculous image has not been fully solved. According to scientists, the holy face is a copy from the “Quick to Hear” icon. The holy image, made in mosaic style, is located in the Zeyrek Mosque, which is a monument of Byzantine architecture from the times of Constantinople.

However, as the old legend says, in 1361 the Greek emperor Stratopedarchus Alexei and his brother the Primikirius John began the construction of the Temple of God. The site chosen for the construction of the monastery was a sheer cliff near the sea - the northeastern slope of Holy Mount Athos.

One morning, peasants and workers came to the construction site of the monastery to continue the work they had begun. But the working tools and the abandoned image of the Mother of God disappeared. The loss was discovered literally 500 meters from the building. A similar situation was repeated several times. Christians understood that this was how the holy face showed them the place to build a temple of God.

The holy image with the image of the Mother of God pointed to the place for the construction of the temple of God

During the Saracen invasions of Russian lands, an icon depicting the Most Pure Virgin was thrown into a well. This happened after one of the invaders, wanting to break the shrine, became blind. For 80 years the holy face lay at the bottom of the well. And only before his death, the blind Saracen realized his sin. A servant sent to the monastery servants told about the location of the shrine. The icon of the Mother of God was found and returned to the temple.

The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Gerontissa” also has other names. In theology, the names “Elderness” and “Abbess” are found. The days of veneration of the holy image fall on April 17 and December 15.

The icon of Our Lady Gerontissa is kept in the Ponkrator monastery on Mount Athos

On the holy Mount Athos, near the sea, there is the Ponkrator monastery, which was founded in 1361 by Emperor Alekseev Stratopedarchus. The Ponkrator Monastery houses the icon of the Mother of God “Gerontissa”, which means “Elderwoman or Abbess”.

According to legend, the first miracle from this icon occurred during the construction of the monastery. One night, the icon of the Mother of God and all the builders’ tools disappeared. In the morning they were found at the site of the modern location of the holy monastery. This is exactly what happened several times. Then people realized that the Mother of God herself had chosen this place to build the monastery.

Ponkrator Monastery on Holy Mount Athos

When an elder abbot was dying in the monastery, he wanted to quickly partake of the Mysteries of Christ. He began to ask the priest to quickly finish the service and give him communion before his death. But the priest did not listen to him. Then the miraculous image showed itself.

A menacing voice was heard, which commanded the priest to do what the elder abbot asked. He gave communion to the elder, after which he departed to the Lord. It was after this event that the icon received the name Gerontissa.

The meaning of the icon "Gerontissa"

The holy face of the Mother of God “Gerontissa” has a deep meaning: through the image of the Most Pure Virgin, Jesus Christ bestows his mercy and grace on the human race.

Despite the canonical style of the image, the shrine has many interesting details. The Blessed Virgin is depicted in full height. The Baby Jesus Christ is not in the arms of the Mother of God. The hands of the Mother of God are extended in a prayerful gesture to the Lord God. This gesture is interpreted as follows: The Most Pure Virgin asks Jesus Christ for protection and grace for the entire human race.

Not only the image, but also the name of the icon carries meaning. “Old Woman” means that the asking Virgin is at the age of wisdom and maturity. However, the concepts of “old man” and “elder” should not be confused. The first is the one who has grown old in soul and body, the second is the one who has achieved wisdom and spiritual maturity.

At the feet of the Mother of God there is a jug overflowing with oil, which is a symbol of the mercy and grace of God. Church clergy claim that sincere prayer coming from the heart will certainly be heard by the Heavenly Forces. The grace and mercy of God will descend upon the one who asks in full.

The icon “Gerontissa” carries a deep meaning

What do they pray for and what does the “Gerontissa” icon help with?

The Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Elderwoman” relieves those suffering from congenital and acquired diseases, and also helps to resist death. The holy face heals even from deadly ailments, including malignant formations.

“Why should we ask for help and protection from the Mother of God depicted in the icon “Gerontissa”? - you ask. You can pray to the Holy Face in the following cases:

for various diseases, including chronic or fatal illnesses;
if you have problems conceiving a baby;
for quick and easy delivery;
to protect the mother and the newborn baby;
in case of financial problems;
with difficulties in school or at work;
in case of spiritual crisis and a state of internal hopelessness;
with apathy and loss of faith in yourself and your strengths.

Our Lady fills people's hearts with love and respect, care and attention, mercy and tenderness.

The “Gerontissa” icon especially honors the elders and listens to the prayers for longevity and healing of the elderly.

Where is the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary located?

The original miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is to this day located within the walls of the Pantokrator Temple, which was erected on the northeastern slope of Holy Mount Athos.

Lists of the Icon of the Mother of God “Gerontissa” are presented in many Orthodox churches around the world. The list from the Alexander Nevsky Novo-Tikhvin Convent (Ekaterinburg) is famous for its miraculous deeds. The list from the Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra (Ternopil region, Ukraine) is especially popular among Orthodox Christians.

Pantokrator Monastery

Alexander Nevsky Novo-Tikhvin Convent

Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra

The Mother of God saved the monastery from famine with her prayers

Another miracle also happened. This happened back in the 17th century. There was then a severe famine in the monastery. The brethren of the monastery began to gradually disperse. The abbot of the monastery began to ask the brethren to pray to the Mother of God, and he himself prayed before the miraculous icon.

One morning the brethren saw oil pouring out of the vessels, which were completely empty. When they went inside, they were all very surprised. Oil flowed continuously from one jug. They say that this jug is still full.

During a famine in the monastery, the Mother of God filled all the jugs with oil to the brim

One day a Saracen wanted to split the icon into pieces and immediately lost his sight. After this, the barbarians threw her into a well, where she remained for 80 years. Before his death, the Saracen confessed and repented of his deeds. He again came to Athos and showed the monks where the icon was. They took out the icon and placed it in the cathedral church of the monastery.

In Greece, the veneration of the icon of Gerontissa is very widespread.

Many miracles were performed before the icon of the Mother of God. She cured various diseases, including cancer. Then lists of this icon began to appear in other churches of the Orthodox Church. She also healed women from infertility and helped during childbirth.

The icon of Gerontissa is also located in the cathedral church of the Dormition Pochaev Lavra, where thousands of believers ask for help.

In the Dormition Pochaev Lavra there is a list of the icon of the Mother of God Gerontissa

Miraculous deeds

The holy face of the Most Holy Theotokos “Gerontissa” is famous for its numerous miraculous deeds. Here are the most famous among them:

The abbot, who had reached old age, lived in a monastery on Holy Mount Athos. Feeling the approach of imminent death, the elder began to ask the clergyman to speed up the celebration of the liturgy. The old abbot wanted to have time to receive communion before his death. But the priest was not inspired by the old man’s request. At that very moment, a loud cry from the Mother of God was heard within the walls of the temple, who ordered the request of the dying man to be fulfilled. The Mother of God’s speech came from the Gerontissa shrine.

As the elders said, one day the walls of the temple were engulfed in flames. People tried to put out the fire, but the flames only flared up. Desperate, Christians began to ask the Most Pure Virgin for help and protection. Suddenly, a huge thundercloud formed in the sky, which in a matter of seconds moved closer to the monastery. Thick rain rain extinguished the flames in a few minutes.

The holy image is famous for its numerous miraculous deeds

Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God “Gerontissa”

You can read prayer addresses to the Mother of God depicted in the image of “Gerontissa” both within the walls of the temple of God and in the privacy of your own home. Prayer speeches can be spoken out loud or spoken to oneself. The main thing is to find and not lose the “thread” connecting with the Heavenly Forces.

“O Most Holy Lady, my Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen! Save and have mercy on me, Your sinful servant, from vain slander, from all misfortune and misfortune and sudden death. Have mercy on me in the hours of the day, in the morning and in the evening, and at all times preserve me: protect me when I stand, when I sit, and when I walk on every path, and when I sleep at night, provide for me, cover and intercede. Protect me, Lady Theotokos, from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and from every evil situation. In every place and at every time, be the Mother of God, an insurmountable wall and a strong defense.

O Most Holy Lady, Lady Virgin Mary! Accept my unworthy prayer, and save me from sudden death, and grant me repentance before the end.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

You appear to me, the Guardian of all life, Most Pure One: You deliver me from demons at the hour of death: You give me peace even after death.

We take refuge under Your mercy, O Virgin Mother of God: do not despise our prayers in sorrows, but also deliver us from troubles, O One Pure and Blessed One. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Amen".

You can address the image of the Most Holy Theotokos “Old Woman” in any language. As the clergy say, the Lord God and the Mother of God listen to the words of the heart, not the tongue. Before the image, you need to read not only petitions, but also say words of gratitude.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl+Enter.

Akathist is intended for private reading

The reading of this akathist requires the blessing of your parish priest.

Kontakion 1

Chosen from all generations to the Queen and Lady, the Christian race, eternal salvation from all kinds of troubles, our help and intercession, in adversity and sorrow, wondrous consolation, with the faces of miraculous icons you illuminate the whole world, but we sing to You:

Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Ikos 1

The highest of the Angels and Archangels, the most honorable Cherub and the most glorious Seraphim, like the Bush who unfathomably accepted God, who gave birth to the Savior of the world, who nourished the Child with Her milk, who shone with the light of motherly virgin purity, who poured forth endless mercies upon us, we bow to You, we thank You, from the depths of our souls we chant thus:

Rejoice, Blessed Heaven, from You the Sun Christ our God has risen. Rejoice, Repository of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, Mother of the Virgin. Rejoice, Unfading Color of Purity. Rejoice, Merciful to sinners. Rejoice, Healer of our souls and bodies. Rejoice, Merciful Intercessor of all who repent. Rejoice, you who accept warm prayers. Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 2

Like a heavenly star, shone forth your icon of the Mother of God, in the Athos monastery of Pantokrator. Praying before her, the brethren of the monastery asked for a blessing from the Most Pure One, and you chose the place of this monastery, and you began to build it. The icon of the Mother of God came three times from the place chosen by the brethren to another place. And so the brethren saw Thy will, O Mother of God, for this monastery to be in the place chosen by Thee, O Lady, and joyfully cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

You issue streams of grace from the icon, monks to the Patroness, you call to the feat of patience and humility, silence to the Companion, angelic singing to the Companion, in tearful prayer to the Helper who never sleeps, the monastery of saints and the whole land of Athos, the good intercessor, the monastic brethren, the Protection and Guide. We sing to you with grateful lips:

Rejoice, O wall of monastic rites. Rejoice, unquenchable Candle, illuminating the monastic path. Rejoice, prayer book and savior of the souls of the repentant. Rejoice, you who graciously look upon the monastic labors. Rejoice, you who accept tears of repentance. Rejoice, consolation for the contrite hearts of sinners. Rejoice, strengthening monastics in patience and humility. Rejoice, Abbess of the holy Mount Athos. Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 3

The elder hegumen, while on his deathbed, having foreseen his imminent departure from this life, desired to taste the Most Pure Mysteries of Christ and receive the path to Eternal Life, ask the serving priest to perform this Sacrament. But in vain the elder longed for the Holy Meal, and the priest did not heed the elder’s request. Then a menacing voice came from the holy icon of the Mother of God in the altar: “Fulfill the abbot’s request, and do not delay!” And you entered the priest to the deathbed and gave instructions to the elder abbot with the Holy Mysteries. And he, having tasted Them, departed peacefully to the Lord. We, rejoicing in the care of the Mother of God for the deceased elder, glorify the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

The Elder Abbot was honored to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ and departed into Eternal Life to enjoy the Heavenly meal with the heavenly inhabitants forever, seeing the Mother of God and all the Saints and all the Heavenly Angelic faces, ever chanting the One and Indivisible Trinity. And many elders and elders, suffering on their deathbeds, showed Her mercy to the Mother of God, stretching out her hand to Her Son and begging for mercy on us, sinners and weaklings. So we too, praying to the Most Pure Mother of God for mercy and intercession, from the depths of our souls we call: “Mother of God, help us too to be granted Communion on our deathbed.” And we sing to You:

Rejoice, you who give quick help. Rejoice, you who accepted those left by doctors in Your hand. Rejoice, merciful Comforter of all who mourn and suffer. Rejoice, healer of ailments and ulcers of the soul. Rejoice, Helper of sinners to Your Son. Rejoice, O intercessor for us. Rejoice, Lady, enlightener of our belly. Rejoice, our Hope and Salvation. Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 4

You endured maternal suffering, Mother of God, when the weapon passed through Your heart, seeing Your Son hanging on the Cross and suffering for us for the sake of sinners. Like the thief on the Cross, we pray to the Lord: do not deprive us of Holy Communion and do not close the Kingdom of Heaven. We ask you, Mother of God: beg your Son to grant us this mercy and repentance before the end. With the fear of God and trembling, having accepted this Gift, let us sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Your Son says, seeing Your mercy towards people: “Ask, My Mother, I will not turn away from You, but I will fulfill all Your requests.” For at the wedding in Cana, Galilee asked Your Son for help to those who were getting married, and Your Son performed the miracle of turning water into wine, so now ask for us sinners. Lord, Son of God, for the consolation of our earthly journey, through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother, have mercy on us and create the miracle of transforming our souls into the purest vessels that receive the Holy Spirit. We, rejoicing in the care of Your Most Pure Mother for us, sinners and weaklings, will thus sing:

Rejoice, O Delighted One, the Lord is with You. Rejoice, you who implore us, sinners, for the mercy of Your Son. Rejoice, one Hope, for all the desperate. Rejoice, Seeker of us who are perishing in sins. Rejoice, consolation in sorrows and sorrows. Rejoice, you who strengthen us in our weakness. Rejoice, you giver of unexpected joy. Rejoice, Protection, our industry and protection. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who takes care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 5

As long as we exist on earth, we will not leave You in prayer, Mother of God. Do not leave us sinners in Your care. As we love our Mother, let us fall to Your image, and not having the strength to speak our joy, we ask You, the Most Pure One: “Do not leave us, we will be Your obedient children.” And knowing the mercy of Your Son, who made us all sons of You at the Cross, we cry out to God with gratitude: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

When a great famine befell the monastery of Pantocrator, the brethren began to leave. The abbot of this monastery tearfully prayed to the indefatigable Intercessor, the Abbess of Mount Athos, calling the brethren to prayer and trust in the Mother of God. And you did not disgrace the Mother of God’s hopes and prayers: the oil multiplied in the scanty vessels, hitherto empty, and, flowing over the edge, you flowed out like a speech under the doors, announcing the mercy of the Most Pure. We marvel at this miracle and cry out joyfully:

Rejoice, speedy Hearer of our prayers. Rejoice, Deliverer from various troubles. Rejoice, you who deliver us from bodily and spiritual hunger. Rejoice, you who exude abundant mercies to us. Rejoice, you who comfort us with the oil of Your mercy. Rejoice, multi-flowing river of Divine grace. Rejoice, you who cleanse our filth with Your purity. Rejoice, you who visit us with maternal generosity. Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 6

By avoiding bodily hunger, will we avoid spiritual hunger? Remembering the words of the Son of God: “Those who hunger and thirst for this righteousness will be satisfied” and “Those who have faith in Me will have eternal life,” let us stretch out our hands to the Lord. Like the thief on the cross, we tearfully pray to Him relentlessly: “Grant us Eternal Life, let us drink the Living Water flowing into Eternal Life,” and like the Samaritan woman, having taken You away, we cry out: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

The mercy of the Mother of God saved the monastery from famine and filled the vessels with oil. Thus, the mercy of the Mother of God is poured out to us sinners in abundance, and Her help will soon come to us. Knowing about that mercy, we do not cease to ask the Queen of Heaven: with the oil of Thy mercy, comfort us, sanctify us, and deliver us from defilement. Having trust in the Mother of God, let us sing thus:

Rejoice, Life-Giving Source, reviving lost souls. Rejoice, you who transform sorrow and sorrow into joy. Rejoice, you who are drowning in the sea of life on the shore of Eternal Life. Rejoice, Quick to Hear, who sends help to the desperate. Rejoice, you who give us the milk of Divine love to drink. Rejoice, Good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to us. Rejoice, you who show mercy to the fallen. Rejoice, Mother of bounties and consolation. Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 7

Thy mercy is poured out upon us, stretching out your hand to Thy Son, for He will not turn away from You, but will fulfill all Your requests. But we, rejoicing at Your intercession and knowing the promises of Your Son, sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

You have mercy on sinners, you send help to the suffering, and you strictly punish those who blaspheme You and Your icons. You punished the Saracen from the enemy camp, who stood opposite the monastery and wanted to boldly desecrate Your icon, with blindness. We, who know this, chant thus:

Rejoice, our Joy. Rejoice, defeat of enemies. Rejoice, shame on those who do not honor You. Rejoice, destroyer of enemies with insolence. Rejoice, punisher of the wicked. Rejoice, thou who admonisheth blasphemers. Rejoice, everlasting salvation for the offended. Rejoice, font, in it all our sorrows are immersed. Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 8

The companions of the blind Saracen, seeing such punishment, were afraid of you. The holy image of the Mother of God was thrown into a deep well into the roof at the bottom. And for eighty years the holy icon rested in this treasure trove, hidden from the eyes of the brethren, but invisibly guarding this monastery. Just as it is not possible to keep a candle hidden, but only on the candlestick, so the icons of the Mother of God cannot be hidden from those who love Her, but are revealed to the sinful and weak as a consolation. Knowing this, let us joyfully sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

The blind Saracen saw his hour of death, you repented and bequeathed to your relatives of other faiths to visit Holy Athos, to find the image of the Lady in the treasure trove and to return the shrine to the brethren. Having found the hidden image, the brethren gave thanks to the Lord and glorified the Mother of God with hymns and many prayers. And to this day, the mercies of the Mother of God are poured out abundantly on this monastery, and just as you filled the jug with oil in the days of famine, so the mercy of the Queen of Heaven will never dry up. We, rejoicing, will sing:

Rejoice, softener of evil hearts. Rejoice, merciful forgiveness of those who repent. Rejoice, only Hope of the desperate. Rejoice, healing of mental and physical ulcers. Rejoice, you who do not reject all the despised and rejected. Rejoice, having washed away our sins with the oil of Thy mercy. Rejoice, you who wisely instruct us on the path of repentance. Rejoice, Mother of eternal Love and Consolation. Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 9

We offer thanksgiving singing to Thee, Mother of God, about the appearance of Thy wondrous icon, as Thou didst proclaim to Thy first-painted icon: “My grace and strength are with you.” We hope in the same way that I will take away your grace with this icon. We kiss Your icon, we worship it, as if You are Your very being. From Your icon, signs and wonders are performed by everyone who flows with faith to You and to God, crying out: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

From the Athos monastery, this holy icon appeared to many Greek cities and towns, pouring out currents of miraculous help in abundance: the sick were healed, childless children were found in prayer before this icon, you appeared to those in labor as an Helper in childbirth, you sent help to those who labor and learn. Knowing the mercies of the Mother of God, we sing with grateful lips:

Rejoice, our Joy, who sends help in work and teaching. Rejoice, O All-Tsarina, healer of grave ailments. Rejoice, quenching of sorrows in sorrows. Rejoice, for those who are pregnant and give birth have the same help. Rejoice, thou who grantest to the students and to all of us an increase in intelligence. Rejoice, you who bless the childless through prayer with the birth of children. Rejoice, consolation to sorrowful mothers. Rejoice, those who love Thee Wall and fence. Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 10

Having given birth to the world the Savior, the Son of God, the Mother of the Eternal King, you carried the Child Christ in your arms, you appeared as a Lamp illuminating the path of salvation. Heaven and all earth glorify Thee, Mother of God. We, falling before your image, praise your Son and Lord and cry out with trembling: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You gave birth to joy to the whole world by the Virgin, unartificial, who contained the inconceivable. Blessed is Your womb, which bore God. And now, having boldness towards the Lord, ever praying to Your Son, have mercy on sinful and helpless people, do not forsake us, Divine protection for our souls. We fall before Your image, worship You, Mother of God, and sing to Your Lordship:

Rejoice, merciful Representative before God. Rejoice, Otrado and Consolation. Rejoice, Joy to those who mourn. Rejoice, thou who deliver us sinners from filth with the blessed oil of Thy mercy. Rejoice, most blessed Lady of Heaven and earth. Rejoice, thou who sanctify us sinners with the oil of Thy mercy. Rejoice, you who are helpful and helpful to those who ask for every need. Rejoice, you who teach us to despise the vain joys of this world. Rejoice, most pure one, who takes care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 11

When you helped the elder hegumen of the monastery Pantocrator on his deathbed to partake of the Holy Mysteries, strictly admonishing the priest, your image was called “Gerontissa,” the patroness of the elderly. And you, like the oil of mercy, exuded much help to the dying elders of the monastery. In the same way, you have helped all the elders and elders who are thinking about the end of this life. I marvel at this ambulance, with hope in the mercy of God and cry out: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The only Hope for all the desperate, the orphaned and the weak, care, praise for wives, magnification of virgins, intercession of widows, nourishment for the poor, clothing for the naked, joy and amusement for the mourning, warming with maternal bounties, visiting our weakness. With a tender heart we will sing to this lady:

Rejoice, Consolation of the Elders. Rejoice, joy on the day of death. Rejoice, only Hope after death. Rejoice, cure for illnesses is quick and free. Rejoice, you who deliver us from hunger and vain death. Rejoice, you who accept the elderly parents of their children, left under your honest protection. Rejoice, you threateningly admonishing cruel children who neglect their elders. Rejoice, merciful Mother of all. Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 12

With what songs and praises will we glorify Thee, Mother of God? Shall we bring thanksgiving cues to Ti, sinners? You are the Indestructible Wall of the Christian race. You are the Fence and Cover of virginity and purity. You are a quick-help hearer of us, sinners and weaklings, our Intercessor before Your Son, hope and protection at the Last Judgment of Your Son. You are an inexhaustible source of mercy and mercy. The whole human race rejoices in You. And we, honoring You, thank Your Son, who gave us hope for salvation. And to You, Hodegetria of the human race, we sing everlastingly: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Like the Heavenly Krin, among the thorns of human sins, you flourished on earth, the Lady of God. Chosen by God the Father, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, giving birth to the Son of God, the Savior of the world, crowned with the heavenly crown of the Trinity of Saints. Before Christmas, at Christmas and after Christmas, she is called the Ever-Virgin. You are fragrant with all purity; from You came the Lord. We glorify you, the Pure One, and touchingly sing:

Rejoice, purest image of chastity. Rejoice, you who cleanse our filth with Your purity. Rejoice, zealot of purity and chastity. Rejoice, fragrant Flower, glowing with the fragrance of purity. Rejoice, ever-virgin, ever-fading Flower. Rejoice, Divine Protection of our souls. Rejoice, saving oil, anointing the sinful wounds of the repentant. Rejoice, Mother of God, Heaven and all earth glorify You. Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Kontakion 13

Oh, pure Mother of God, hear the voice of the prayer of us sinners and weaklings. The High One who united with the lower ones, who gave birth to our Savior, Your Son, we sing of Your motherly love, we bow before Your miraculous icon. You enlighten us with the rays of miracles, grant us forgiveness of sins and grant us the joy of healing. O Most Blessed One, You are the sight of the blind, the gracious teacher of sinners. You are the Mother of chastity, You are the bathhouse that washes the conscience. Who, besides You, will dry our tears, calm the sorrows of our hearts, deliver us from all troubles and bestow consolation? Where are we coming? Only to You, Most Pure Virgin Mother. Blessed is the fruit of Your womb. You are the Joy of the whole world, having boldness towards the Lord, accept our small prayer, have mercy on helpless people. We, falling before Your celibate icon, glorify the Lord and thus cry out: Alleluia.

Kontakion 13

Ikos 1

Kontakion 1

Rejoice, Most Pure One, you have taken care of us, sinners and weaklings.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before the icon of Gerontissa

O All-Singing Mother, our joy and consolation, our quick helper in sorrows, our only Hope in troubles and despair.
Thy mercies, like the oil of grace, are poured out upon us abundantly, praying unceasingly to Thy Son and our God for us, look upon the humility of Thy servants. When the day of our life comes to an end, at the hour of death, hear us, beg Your Son to grant us Holy Communion and the way to Eternal Life. Help us to avoid bitter ordeals and calm the pain of death, without leaving us, Your children, at the Cross of Your Son, adopted by You, grant with your prayers hope and salvation. Do not leave us, the orphan and the weak. We bow before Your Most Pure Image, knowing Your promise: “I did not come to be kept from you, but may I be your Guardian in the present world and the future.” Thus, save us from troubles and misfortunes, heal the sick, comfort the grieving, bring the lost to reason, protect the babies, help those in their wombs to safely be relieved of their burdens, educate and teach the young, guide the spouses, support and warm the old, cruel children who neglect their elders , menacingly bring some sense. We hope in You, we boast in You, we trust in You, and on bended knee our souls ever glorify the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Permanent link to this page: https://akathist.ru/hymns/ak-pb/su-0033.html