Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Jerusalem Icon
Kontakion 1
To the most blessed Virgin, chosen from all generations, we offer praise in praise, as the Mother of the essence of God. Thou art the merciful Mother who appeared to the earth-born, giving joy to those who suffer, healing to those suffering from various ailments and protection from the slander of the enemy, and speedy hearing to all who pray to You. Moreover, in joy and tenderness we cry out to Ti: Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Jerusalem Icon of the Mother of God
Ikos 1
The faces of archangels and angels in heaven and multitudes of people on earth glorify Thee, the Queen of all and the Mother of God, for Thou hast given us great joy and consolation: Thy holy image, standing before it reverently, we tenderly call to Thee:
Rejoice, foreseen by the Lord and King of glory from all eternity;
Rejoice, prepurified through generations and generations of the righteous.
Rejoice, most holy Virgin, chosen by God himself to be the Mother of the Son of God;
Rejoice, worthy fruit of Your sinless parents Joachim and Anna.
Rejoice, Bride of God, raised in the earthly house of the Heavenly King;
Rejoice, overjoyed by the gospel of the Archangel Gabriel of God.
Rejoice, exalted above all women by the birth from You of the Savior of the world;
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 2
The honorable cherubim and most glorious seraphim, surrounding the all-powerful throne of the Most Holy Trinity, look at Thee in ardent reverence, as if they are present there in glory, praying to the merciful God for the Christian race. Here on earth, standing before Your holy icon, with all our hearts we rejoice and reverently cry out to the Almighty: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The apostles of Christ were enlightened by the spirit of God, since it would be desirable for believers to have the most holy face of the Most Pure Virgin Mother of God depicted on the deck, choosing from among themselves the divine Luke, like a wonderful painter. And then, ask the Motherly blessing from You, supported by fasting and prayer, by writing the first icon of You, the Lady, to which You Yourself said: My grace and strength will be with You. For this reason, we call Ti with tenderness:
Rejoice, for not only did You not forbid, but You Yourself deigned that Your Most Pure face would be depicted on the deck;
Rejoice, for as you ascended to heaven, you left us the mark of Your face as a pledge of Your love.
Rejoice, for after Your departure to heaven, Your holy image became a true consolation to all believers;
Rejoice, for all Christians have flocked to Gethsemane to Your image, as if You were the living One, to worship.
Rejoice, for who then looked at Your image found relief in spiritual sorrows;
Rejoice, for you who prayed with tears before Your icon for the healing of those who were sick.
Rejoice, for even now all those who pray before Your Most Pure Image accept the fulfillment of their petitions;
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 3
The grace-filled power You bestowed on Your first-painted icon also manifested itself in many likenesses of It, when Your devoted child prayed to the apostles, may they multiply Your icons, so that everyone may have them each in their home, and, rejoicing and reverently, glorify You, the Most Holy Mother Almighty God, crying out to him: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having immeasurable love for the God-given children of God, You blessed the holy apostles to create even up to thirty marks of Your Most Pure Face, for the consolation and joy of the verbal sheep of the flock of Your Holy Son. With all our hearts and reverence, we call Ti:
Rejoice, praised by the angels and sung by the seraphim;
Rejoice, for through You the whole universe of joy and joy is filled.
Rejoice, for You have given us Your icons for prayerful communication with You;
Rejoice, for through them you pour out good deeds throughout the world.
Rejoice, for You have abundantly transferred Your grace-filled power to this icon;
Rejoice, for having covered us with Your holy icon, You Yourself dwell invisibly among us.
Rejoice, we worship the most glorious icon of Yours, we worship You, the true Mother of God;
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 4
Overwhelmed by the worries of life and overcome by the temptations of sin, Thy servants, humble and sinful, taking refuge under Thy merciful protection, as if in a quiet and silent refuge, we diligently pray to Thee: pour Thy invisibly life-giving grace into our souls and pacify our dejected hearts, to a pure mind and undefiled With our lips we always cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
King Leo of the Greeks heard that a great many miracles and countless blessings emanate from the icon of the Mother of God, as in Jerusalem, he desired to have it in his country, and when it was brought to holy Constantinople, great miracles emanated. People, seeing such mercy of God towards them, cried out in unspeakable joy to the Blessed One:
Rejoice, Overjoyed One, who has overshadowed our country with your coming;
Rejoice, blessed Virgin, compassionate Mother, Christian of all countries.
Rejoice, for you accept every request from every Christian soul;
Rejoice, for you hear all the voices calling on Thee from everywhere in the universe.
Rejoice, for with Your protection you cover the entire Christian race;
Rejoice, for You extend Your grace and Your mercies to all those near and far.
Rejoice, for you have graciously given all the good things in this life to everyone;
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 5
Looking at Your image and sensing Your closeness to Your children, all the redemptions through the blood of Your Son hastily flow to You, telling each one his own needs and requirements. They pray to You to satisfy their spiritual and physical sorrows, while others, at the beginning of their paths, expect blessings and prosperity in their affairs of acceptance from You, friends of family peace, harmony and love, ask to grant them. Those who are oppressed by evil people seek protection and protection from You, and all this acceptably and joyfully cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
You see the people of the Greek countries, as if Your icon was not only an abyss of miracles and an inexhaustible source for them, but also a powerful victory over the adversaries, many times before the hordes of the enemy, and they were defeated and scattered, and the Scythians were also defeated to the end. The pious people, seeing this, cried out in joyful trepidation:
Rejoice, chosen Voevodo, conquering enemies;
Rejoice, for you have granted victory to us who are unarmed and who are fully armed.
Rejoice, you who bring terror and intimidation to the unfaithful through Your icon;
Rejoice, invincible Commander of Christian armies in battle against enemies.
Rejoice, protecting Your people with Your icon, like an indestructible wall;
Rejoice, you who save us from troubles, all kinds of evils and misfortunes.
Rejoice, for before Thy icon demonic possession is freed from demonic oppression;
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 6
The God-bearing preachers, the holy apostles, the most pure image of Thy, glorify Thee, all the Queen and Lady, and from Thee the Christ our God born, together with the howls of the holy martyrs, Thy invisible companions in the cause of war, unceasingly cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
A wonderful icon of the Mother of God and the entire Russian land rose, when the mighty Russian prince Vladimir, with a great army, entered the borders of the Greek, but not even shedding Christian blood, but washed away his sins with holy baptism, accepted the Orthodox, Greek faith, and all his companions . Then this holy icon of Jerusalem was given to him, a priceless gift, and he brought it to his capital city of Kyiv. The people of Russia, enlightened by the light of Christ, cried out to the Queen of Heaven in tenderness:
Rejoice, Most Honest Cherub and Without Comparison, Surpassing All Heavenly Powers;
Rejoice, you who are exalted in grief and always listen cordially to those who live humbly.
Rejoice, you who want to save everyone, you came to us through your icon to save us;
Rejoice, for you have received us in the darkness of sinners, under Your all-powerful care and maternal care.
Rejoice, thou who enlighten us all with the Divine light from Thy icon;
Rejoice, you who bring us all to Christ God.
Rejoice, thou who openest the doors of heaven to us all;
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 7
Having all-heartedly desired to attract to Christ all the people who exist in His dominion, and to enlighten all the remote ends of the Russian land with the light of true knowledge of God, the noble Prince Vladimir commanded that the holy icon of Jerusalem be transferred from the city of Kiev to Veliky Novgorod, and there the icon of this year was brought to the fullest. come to the city of Moscow, let it exude miracles in the heart of Russia and within Moscow, and from there the people of Orthodoxy, filled with the mercies and grace of the Mother of God, sing a song of praise to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Thou hast surprised us with Thy mercies, O Lord, by multiplying the miraculous icons of Thy Most Pure Mother in our Fatherland, which Thou hast scattered like heavenly stars over the entire face of the Russian land, bestowing through them great and innumerable benefits to Her pious inhabitants. Moreover, reverent before the majesty of Your glory and bowing the knees of our hearts before the Most Pure Image of Your Most Blessed Mother, we tenderly cry out to Her:
Rejoice, Lady, who has chosen the Russian country as your lot and property;
Rejoice, thou who hast so loved our surroundings.
Rejoice, Thou who hast given us Thy miraculous icon as an invaluable inheritance from ancient times;
Rejoice, as with this icon flowing around the cities and towns, like a cloud, covering everyone with grace and mercy.
Rejoice, for by bringing Your icon every place is sanctified and people are renewed;
Rejoice, for from Your icon sources of miracles flow forth everywhere.
Rejoice, for we, sinners, are delivered from troubles and misfortunes through Your holy icon;
Rejoice, our Joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 8
It is strange to the human mind, but marvelous to the heart of a believer, how the appearance of this icon of the Mother of God took place, as if from a dry board, on which Your Most Pure Face is depicted, moreover, the natural cup began to be fulfilled, for much power emanated from Your icon, bringing healing to the sick and paralyzed, Having all seen these miracles, in Divine delight, together with those who were healed, joyfully exclaimed the praise of God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Having compassion for all and doing good to all who honor Thee, Thou didst deign to glorify Thy icon on the day of the savage death of the plague, filling the hearts of all with great fear. Moreover, all those who then came in repentance and tenderly prayed to You in Your temple and in their homes, having brought this icon of Yours to them, avoided sudden death, and in joyful trepidation I cried out to You in thanksgiving singing like this:
Rejoice, warm intercessor for us before the merciful God;
Rejoice, for through Your Motherly prayers God’s anger against us is quenched.
Rejoice, for through You forgiveness is granted to the repentant sinner;
Rejoice, turning stubborn sinners to the true path.
Rejoice, thou who inclines the proud to humility and brings the hard-hearted into tenderness;
Rejoice, on the terrible day of God’s wrath, showing us maternal love and extreme condescension.
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 9
Our entire neighborhood is under the shadow of Your honorable icon, abiding and protected by Your strong intercession, we unceasingly pray to You, good Mother, that you may preserve peace and silence for all of us, and deliver us from unrest and unrest, from sedition and internecine warfare, and from all deadly ulcers, Yes, everyone abiding in piety, in a quiet and silent life, complacently sings the praises of God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Which sage will be able to express the power of grace, bestowed by You on this icon, what song of the sweet singer will be worthy of praising all Your miracles, as by bringing Your icon to every place, various blessings are exuded: where there is heat, drought, there rains pour abundantly, and where there is destructive lack of water, there the sun will rise, but evil plagues will also change, but people, having received such mercy and blessings from You, cry out to You from the depths of their souls:
Rejoice, most immaculate Youth, who through Your extreme humility has inclined the heavens down to the descent of the Son of God into You;
Rejoice, Queen of heaven and earth, to whom land and sea obey.
Rejoice, Lady, for by You the rains are well-timed and the goodness of the air is sent down to us;
Rejoice, our warm Representative, who averts harmful strikes of thunder and lightning from us.
Rejoice, as a fire consuming the houses and pastures of men, quenched by the dew of Your prayers;
Rejoice, for by bringing Your icon sowing, people avoid mortal infection.
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 10
A saving refuge for the faithful among the storms and turmoil of the sea of life, showing us all the good path to the eternal heavenly refuge, help us immaculately walk the path of this temporary life, perfect us in all virtue and keep us all in purity and holiness, lead us to the blessed kingdom of Your Son, Yes, we too, having been saved by You, will be able, together with the angels and faces of the saints, to forever sing a song of praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
We immutably believe, Lady, as through Your invisible intercession, like a strong wall, protecting us all from temptations and troubles, and all the malicious actions of our visible and invisible enemies. For this reason we cry out to You with tears:
Rejoice, our Guardian, who invisibly protects us from demonic malice;
Rejoice, envy and deceit of evil people wisely destroy us.
Rejoice, thou who mercifully protects us on all the paths of our life;
Rejoice, vigilantly guarding all our thoughts from evil attacks and vain dreams.
Rejoice, all our desires for good and salvation are always guiding;
Rejoice, for you secretly instruct us to do good for the glory of God.
Rejoice, our Leader of Life, guiding us to heaven to the blessed fatherland;
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 11
We silently sing songs of praise to Thee, Mother of God, as through Thy prayers to Thy Son and our God, we preserve cities and towns from evil circumstances, give peace and abundance and all the good things in life to all who honor Thee, instruct all ages on the path of salvation, and admonish everyone to sing to the merciful God who loves mankind: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
With the divine light of Your most pure soul You enlighten the entire universe and with this icon of Yours you fill the hearts of all with gladness and joy, bringing grace everywhere with it. For this reason, both old and young, both youth and children, in feelings of deepest reverence, according to You, call:
Rejoice, you who shed consolation into their hearts for the elderly;
Rejoice, for you have given a good upbringing to an infant and the development of the mind to accept useful teachings.
Rejoice, you who instruct young people in chastity, keeping them in the virgin purity of their souls;
Rejoice, blessed consummation of Christian marriages.
Rejoice, you who as a good farmer asks God for fertility;
Rejoice, You are the calling traveler and the merciful companion of those sailing on the sea.
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 12
The great grace given to You is from God, the Most Blessed Mother of God, to edify the poor, heal the sick, and also help the needy, comfort the grieving and turn all those who are lost to the path of salvation. In the same way, all who labor and are burdened have the good Mother in You, and through You the unspoken mercies acceptably and tenderly cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Thy miracles, Mother of God, in whose image You show us Your many love and mercy, we praise Thy miraculous power, O omnipotent Our Lady, and standing before Thy Most Pure Image, we pray to Thee: satisfy our sorrows and deliver us from all evil, and always with Thy prayers in Thy love abidingly, in tenderness of heart we call Ti:
Rejoice, bringing comfort and joy to all who mourn and are burdened;
Rejoice, our quick-to-hear, who sends quick help to those in trouble and adversity.
Rejoice, who in sickness call upon Thee, Thy healing power and granting a speedy recovery;
Rejoice, Thy all-forgiving love, which introduces everywhere into the place of anger and hatred and reconciles those who are bitterly at war.
Rejoice, invisible Teacher of orphans and homeless widows, unfailing Patroness;
Rejoice, our only hope, consolation and consolation in the painful hour of death.
Rejoice, warm intercessor after our death for us sinners at the throne of the Most High;
Rejoice, our joy, deliver us from all need and sorrow.
Kontakion 13
Oh, All-Singing Mother, Queen of Heaven, who gave birth to Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world. Accept now from all our hearts this prayer offered to You and by Your omnipotent intercession save us from all troubles and misfortunes in this life, and grant us in eternal bliss with all the saints to sing the praise of God: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Where are the famous lists?
At all times, many copies of the original Jerusalem icon were created. Many of these images have amazing power, heal the sick and regularly manifest the miracle of myrrh-streaming. To date, several lists from the original have been preserved, recognized as miraculous. Such shrines are kept in Russia and abroad:
- in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow;
- in the capital's Nativity Church;
- in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Veshnyaki;
- in the Church of the Resurrection of the Word of the Jerusalem Metochion;
- in the Athos Panteleimon Monastery.
In the past, one of the most revered lists was located on Sergiev-Vinogradsky Island, in the Intercession Cathedral of the royal estate. In 1932 it was moved to Izmailovo, to the Church of the Nativity of Christ. This icon is famous for the fact that after the fire in the cathedral it was not completely destroyed, but was inexplicably restored. At first, the image of the Virgin Mary turned black, but then became clearer without the participation of a human hand. After the revival of the Intercession Cathedral, the great relic was returned to its original place.
Prayer
Most Holy Lady, Lady Theotokos, the hope of all who trust in Thee, the intercessor of the sad, the refuge of the desperate, the nourisher of widows and orphans! Hear and have mercy on us, Thy sinful and unworthy servants, who fall with tenderness before Thy most holy image: beseech, O merciful Lady, Thy Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may turn away His righteous anger from us, that He may forgive our Sins and iniquities, for we may be worthy by His goodness, end our life in repentance and receive His mercy with all His chosen ones; as blessed and glorified is she unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Description of the image and its meaning
Jerusalem Icon of the Mother of God
The very first icon, painted by the apostle and evangelist Luke, heard the prayers of the Christians of the Jerusalem community. Her fate is inextricably linked with the history of Russia, and various lists even today convey the hidden meanings of the inspired image to everyone who comes seeking help.
The memorial day for the celebration of the “Jerusalem” image of the Mother of God was appointed by the Holy Church for October 13 according to the Julian calendar.
The Blessed Guide is one of the most common iconographic images of the Virgin Mary. The “Jerusalem” icon also belongs to the Hodegetria type.
Depicted from the waist up, Mary holds Her beloved Son and God, Jesus. The position of the Baby differs in different versions: on some lists He is in the Mother’s left hand, on others – in the right. The free hand of the Mother of God is pressed to Her chest.
On the lap of the Son of God is a folded list, and with His free hand, raised up, He gives a blessing by folding His two fingers.
Submission and acceptance of the will of the Heavenly Father in the future destiny of His child on the cross is expressed in the form of the Ever-Virgin. Despite the deep sadness in her eyes, the experience of maternal grief, She completely devotes herself to the service of the Almighty, empathizing with the future suffering of the Baby.
The scene of exceptional understanding between the Saints here indicates the eternity of the union of God and man. The essence of God's Providence is contained in Christian teaching, the completeness of which is symbolized by the mentioned scroll.
This is interesting: Helper in difficult circumstances - Jerusalem Icon of the Mother of God
Story
Tradition correlates the appearance of the icon with the activities of the Apostle Luke, who painted it as the first of the subsequently created images of the Virgin Mary. According to some reports, the image appeared in Gethsemane 15 years after the Ascension of Christ (48).
Three centuries later, the icon providentially ended up in Constantinople, soon saving the inhabitants of the Byzantine capital from destruction by the cruel Scythians. In gratitude for the speedy rescue, the Greeks placed the “Jerusalem” in the Blachernae temple.
Travels of the Great Shrine
During its existence, the Jerusalem image visited various places:
- during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Leo the Great (from 457 to 474), the painting was in the Church of Our Lady of Constantinople;
- under the ruler Heraclius (575–641), the icon was transferred to the Blachernae Church - the main temple of Byzantium, where it remained for three centuries;
- in the first half of the 10th century, the relic came to Chersonesus, and then, by order of Vladimir the Saint, it was delivered to Kyiv;
- later the icon ended up in the Novgorod Church of St. Sophia, where it remained for about 500 years;
- in subsequent years, the Jerusalem Face stayed in Moscow and was kept in the Assumption Cathedral, where it was transferred by decree of Ivan the Terrible.
In 1812, a major fire occurred in the capital’s church, after which the icon was never found. There is still debate about the future fate of the original. According to one version, it burned completely. According to another, the shrine was taken outside of Russia.
