The history of the Balykino Icon of the Mother of God and what is asked for in front of the image, prayers

Balykino Icon of the Mother of God
Celebration on June 30 and on the 10th Friday of Easter

The icon became famous in Russia in 1709, during the Northern War; named after its location in the village. Balykin, Starodub district, Chernigov province (now Bryansk region).

The history of the miraculous image was set out in a handwritten “Tale”, kept in the church of St. Nicholas in Balykino. In 1866, the manuscript was taken out by Archbishop of Chernigov Filaret (Gumilevsky) for research and publication; her whereabouts are currently unknown. Subsequently, the text of the “Tale” was supplemented with new miracles.

According to legend, when the troops of the Swedish king Charles XII approached Starodub, tears appeared in the eyes of the Queen of Heaven on the icon. The owner of the icon, officer of the Starodub regiment Timofey Dulsky, decided to donate the image that showed the miracle to one of the poor parishes, but hesitated in fulfilling his vow.

After the Mother of God appeared to him twice, in 1711 he donated the icon to the newly built wooden church in the name of St. Nicholas in the village Balykin. The icon became famous for its miracles: the first, the epiphany of the daughter of the military leader of the Starodub regiment F. Sluchanovsky, was recorded in 1712; healings after a prayer service in front of the Balykin icon by E. S. Conchina (in 1866) and E. I. Zolotnikova (in 1888) are known. Pilgrims flocked to the shrine not only from Chernigov, but also from Kursk, Smolensk and Poltava provinces. Shortly before the October Revolution, the image was severely damaged as a result of spontaneous combustion, but the fire did not touch the face of the Mother of God.

In the 1920-1930s, the temple in the village. Balykina and its decoration were saved by the intercession of the Mother of God: she appeared in a dream to the chairman of the collective farm and promised him help if he preserved the shrines. The chairman collected church utensils into the altar, and built a hay storage facility in the temple premises. During the Great Patriotic War, he, the commander of a partisan detachment, was captured, but escaped execution.

The history of the appearance of the Balykino Icon of the Mother of God

There is no exact information about how the icon of the Mother of God, called Balykinskaya, came to Russian lands. It is only assumed that the shrine was brought to Rus' in the 17th century by Orthodox refugees from Galicia.

Information about the miraculous appearance of the holy image was recorded in the ancient manuscript of “Tales,” which until 1866 was kept in the Balykinsky Church of St. Nicholas. Filaret (Gumilevsky), who was at that time the archbishop of the Chernigov diocese, took the manuscript for research and publication. Where “Tales” then went remains a mystery to this day.

According to legend, the owner of the most holy face of the Mother of God was a Russian officer assigned to the Starodub regiment - Timofey Dulsky. In 1709, during the Northern War, one of the largest battles took place with the Swedes - the Battle of Poltava. On the eve of the battle, when enemy troops passed by the city of Starodub, Dulsky saw tears flowing from the eyes of the Most Pure Virgin Mary, depicted on the icon. Having seen such a miracle, the officer vowed to transfer the holy image to the nearest impoverished parish.

Not far from the officer’s estate in the village of Balykino, a new church was being built. Dulsky promised to donate the shrine to this temple after completion of construction. But over time, he forgot about his promise.

Then the Queen of Heaven herself decided to remind Dulsky of this vow, appearing to him in a dream. The first time Timofey did not attach any significance to his dream. But the second appearance of the Mother of God, who predicted severe torment for the officer if he did not hand over Her holy image to the Balykino Church, forced him to fulfill his promise. On August 4, 1711, a frightened officer brought the miraculous icon to the Balykinsky Church of St. Nicholas.

At the same time, an exact copy of the holy image was made, the owner of which until 1712 was Metropolitan John of Tobolsk. The saint used the miraculous icon to bless the newly created Oryol Vvedensky nunnery. The copy is made in the same dimensions as the original and is placed in a gilt-plated silver frame.

In 1843 there was a severe fire, but the nuns and the monastery property were not damaged, and the monastery was quickly rebuilt. The monastery existed until 1923. Under Soviet rule, the monastery was closed and destroyed. The restoration of the ancient monastery began only in 1993. It took two years to revive the monastery. By the end of construction, the ancient shrine was returned to the monastery by believers who had secretly kept the holy face for many years.

During its existence, the Oryol icon acquired greater fame than the original image from the village of Balykino.

Iconography

The iconography of the Balykino icon goes back to Western models, the icons “Nativity of Christ” and “Adoration of the Magi” (the Mother of God was often depicted kneeling, with her hands pressed to her chest, in front of the Infant of God lying in a manger), images of the Madonna “del Umilta” (known from the 16th century paintings of Northern Italy), where the Mother of God is also represented with the Child on her knees, usually with her hands clasped on her chest in prayer.

Currently, the Balykin icon is in the altar of the church in the name of St. Nicholas in the village The balykina is behind the throne in a carved icon case and during festive services it is brought to the middle of the temple.

Until 1917, the celebration of the Balykino Icon took place (according to the rite of the Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God on July 8) in the village. Balykin June 24, June 29 and September 1. (in memory of the last renewal of the chasuble in the middle of the 19th century); in Orel on June 30; The 10th Friday after Easter is also indicated. Currently, the local celebration in the village. Balykin on September 1, in Rostov on July 19. There is an akathist to the Balykin icon, written in the twentieth century.

Miracle Lists

The image from the Oryol Vvedensky Convent (until 1788 belonged to the Chernigov diocese) is made in the size of the original, covered with a gilded silver frame. The Virgin Mary is depicted wearing a crown, with 12 stars around a halo. According to legend, the icon came to the monastery in 1712 as a blessing from St. John (Maksimovich), archbishop. Chernigovsky. Through the intercession of the Mother of God, the nuns and the monastery property were not damaged during the fire of 1843; the monastery was quickly rebuilt in a new location “without any funds.” Miracles that occurred from the icon were recorded in the monastery (the first was recorded in 1858), among them the healing of sick infants predominated. The miraculous Orlovskaya-Balykinskaya icon, located in the district town, was more famous than the prototype from the village. Balykina. Currently it is located in the altar of the monastery cathedral.

In the 1910s, several copies were made of the miraculous icon (for example, 2 icons and a banner with a picturesque image from the Church of St. Nicholas on Vspolye in Rostov the Great, an image in the Spaso-Jacob Monastery). Pilgrims carried small enamel icons throughout Russia (1910s. GMZRK, TsMiAR) with the name of the icon “Tenderness” or “Tenderness of Rostov”. A print was published depicting the miraculous icon and a prayer for it (presumably written by Bishop Joseph (Petrovykh) of Uglich. Before the destruction of the Annunciation Church in 1930, the icon in a carved icon case (1910s) was moved to the Church of St. Nicholas on Vspolye, where it is kept currently.

Revered copies of the Balykina icon were also in the Mozolovsky Ascension Monastery of the Mstislavsky district of the Mogilev province [1] (donated by Count Chernysheva, the owner of the village of Balykina); in Starodub, Chernigov province and in the village. Batskine (now Dyatkovo district, Bryansk region).

In 1823, V.S. Zhdanova donated a copy of the miraculous Balykin icon to the Moscow Church of St. Nicholas in Plotniki; in 1852-1856 during the reconstruction of the church at the expense of A. A. Nebolsina, a chapel was built in the name of the Balykin icon.

Description and meaning

The image on the ancient icon is quite unusual, different from most iconographic types with the face of the Virgin Mary. The Balykin image is closer in style to the icons “The Nativity of Christ” and “The Adoration of the Magi.”

You can recognize the shrine by the following signs:

• The Mother of God sits with her hands folded in prayer at her chest;
• The Divine Infant lies on her lap, his leg stretched out or bent;
• on the head of the Mother of God there is a crown similar to a diadem;
• the hair of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls to her shoulders;
• the body of the Divine Child is wrapped in white cloth;
• Six-pointed stars are drawn around the halo above the head of the Mother of God.

On some copies, Jesus clutches an apple or orb with his right hand, which is a symbol of salvation and power. The ancient icon is placed under glass. The icon frame is metal, the coating on it imitates gilding.

Where can I find the original and lists

The Balykinsky Church of St. Nicholas, thanks to the intercession of the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos, was able to withstand the persecution of the Orthodox Church in troubled times. The shrine is kept there to this day.

In addition to the exact list located in the Oryol Vvedenskaya Convent, several more lists were made from the ancient icon, which are kept in the following churches:

• Mozolovsky Ascension Monastery, Mogilev province;
• Starodubskaya Church of Chernigov;
• Father's Church, Bryansk region;
• Moscow Church of St. Nicholas.

There is another, no less significant copy of the Balykinsky image - an icon kept in the Nelidovo church, dedicated to the Balykinsky Mother of God. To preserve the shrine during the persecution of the church, parishioners had to bury the icon in the ground. Now the icon has been returned to the temple, and its healing power continues to help all those who suffer.

Used materials

• Davydova E.V., Vakhrina V.I., Yaskevich E.A. “Balykino Icon of the Mother of God” // “Orthodox Encyclopedia”, Vol. 4, p. 291-293:
• Bulgakov S.V., Handbook for clergy. Part II: Collection of information relating primarily to the practical activities of the domestic clergy. Alphabetical index of icons of the Most Holy Theotokos kept in our monasteries, supplemented with information about Her other church-wide and locally venerated saints. icons - M: Publishing department of the Moscow Patriarchate, 1993, p. 1480-1481.

[1] Large biographical encyclopedia, with reference to the Complete Orthodox Theological Encyclopedic Dictionary. In two volumes. - St. Petersburg: P. P. Soykin Publishing House. P. P. Soykin. 1913.,

Veneration of the Balykin Icon in Orthodoxy

The clergy and parishioners of the village of Balykino held celebrations dedicated to the miraculous image three times: June 24 and 29, and September 1. In the Orlovsky St. Vvedensky nunnery, the veneration of the icon took place on June 30, according to the old style. Currently, there are two days for honoring the Balykinsky holy face - July 13 and September 14 according to the new calendar.

These days, anyone can attend the solemn service taking place in the Holy Vvedensky monastery and venerate the holy image. Before the start of the festive liturgy, an all-night vigil takes place, and then a religious procession with a miraculous shrine.

Literature

• Filaret (Gumilevsky), Archbishop. Historical and statistical description of the Chernigov diocese. Chernigov, 1873. Book. 7. p. 61-63.
• Lazarevsky A. M. Description of old Little Russia: Materials for the history of settlement, land ownership and management. K., 1888. T. 1: Starodubsky Regiment. With. 268.
• Kulzhinsky G. The legend about the appearance of the Balykinsky miraculous image of the Mother of God in the Chernigov province and miraculous signs from the list with it in the Oryol Vvedensky nunnery, compiled on the basis of reliable evidence and written documents // Oryol EV. 1893. No. 5, 6; 1895. No. 44-47.
• Kulzhinsky G. Balykinsky miraculous image of the Mother of God in the Chernigov province and a copy of it in the city of Orel // Chernigov dioceses. Izv. 1896. No. 11. p. 343-348; No. 12. p. 376-383.
• Kornoukhov E. A. Alphabetical list of churches of the Chernigov diocese // Tr. CHGUAK, 1906-1908 Chernigov, 1908. Issue. 7. Adj. With. 39.
• A new miracle of mercy of the Queen of Heaven in Rostov the Great. Serg. P., 1911; Forty forty. T. 2. p. 425.

What do they ask for before the image?

The first miracles emanating from the Balykinsky holy face have been known since 1712. Among them are healing:

• daughter of landowner Feodor Sluchanovsky from blindness;
• residents of the village of Rozhki from a cholera epidemic after performing a prayer service and procession with an icon;
• the wife of the Balykinsky Cossack from typhus;
• the wife of a Cossack from the village of Artyushkovo from mortal wounds inflicted by an angry ox;
• terminally ill baby;
• possessed woman.

All these and many other wonderful stories were recorded by clergy in special church books.

Since ancient times, people have prayed in front of the Balykino shrine for deliverance from:

• terrible epidemics;
• drought;
• diseases of the nervous system;
• eye diseases.

Prayers in front of the Balykino icon help in the treatment of not only physical, but also mental ailments. People turn to the shrine when faith weakens and ask for protection during an enemy attack.

The Balykin icon has great power, providing assistance to anyone who turns to it with hope, a pure heart and sincere faith in the soul.

Prayer text

Several prayers were written for the Balykinsky image, one of which is given below. Before reading the prayer text, you can turn to the Mother of God in your own words, talking about existing problems.

Text of the prayer:

Oh, Mother of God, who showed your mercy to the sinful and unworthy, who repelled the Swedes’ militia from the Russian land, who glorified your image with bitter tears for the lost lives in that terrible time, hear our prayers. You, who give health to every leper, blind and poor, healed those who were tested by sin and devilish power, do not turn away from our requests. Let your mercy, carrying within itself the love of God and omnipotent help, descend upon our lives. By bending our knees, we place our fate in Your hands. Guide us on the true path, Most Pure Virgin, lead us to the Kingdom of Heaven and protect us from worldly vices, obscene desires and false teachings. Only with Your mighty help can we maintain purity in our hearts and purify ourselves before the Lord God. We place all our hopes in Your mercy and glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

Prayers

Troparion of the Mother of God before Her Icon of Balykinskaya (Volynskaya) voice 4

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Balykinskaya icon

O Mother of God, who once brought our former Fatherland into great trouble from the invasion of the heterodox people, You showed your all-powerful intercession by glorifying Your most honorable image, called Balykinsky, in the land of Severstey, and with Your tears visible on it, You begged Your Son and our God to grant the Orthodox Christians a glorious victory and overpowering adversaries. You, Most Merciful Mother, in the past days in the city of Orel, before Your Most Pure Image, granted healing to a girl suffering from an unclean spirit, returning her to her parents healthy and unharmed. You, the ambulance Helper in human troubles, heard the cry of the mother of the child, suddenly falling from the heights of her home, and restored it soundly and harmlessly. You, an inexhaustible source of miracles and generosity, deigned to grant a speedy healing to the greatly weakened young woman brought to Your wondrous image, strengthening her spirit for the desired walk. You, the omnipotent Queen of heaven and earth, raised up babies from an incurable illness, and their parents came to You with faith and love. You, the Giver of peace to our souls, delivered the young man from ferocious passions and bowed his ill-will to good behavior and submission to his parents. You endlessly poured out streams of Your mercy on everyone who flowed to Your most holy image in spiritual sorrows, bodily illnesses and everyday misfortunes. Listen, O All-Blessed One, to our present earnest prayer: direct the paths of our earthly journey to a peaceful and beneficial life, decorate our life with good customs, block with Your omnipotent hand the mouths of false teachers who rise up against the Mind of God, corrupting the customs of our Orthodox ancestors and corrupting the minds and hearts our young children, send us all the days of our lives to have purity of thoughts and heart movements. O All-Singing One, intercede and save us through our destinies and lead us into the joyful abodes of Thy Son and our God. Amen.

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Balykinskaya icon

Kontakion 1

To the chosen Voivode, the Intercessor of the Christian race, bestowed by God for the salvation of the human race, we offer thanksgiving singing to Ty, the Mother of God. You, as the all-merciful Mother of Mercy, have mercy on us all, intercede and save us, and we call You: Rejoice, Intercessor of the Russian lands, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Ikos 1

The angel in the flesh was a primordial man, crowned with glory and honor and diminished by the least of the angels, but driven out of paradise by pride and disobedience to his Creator and Creator through the deception of the devil through hard work and sorrow. Sick of the same pride, which plunges us into the abyss of troubles and sorrows, to whom shall we resort if not to You, the only Mother of mercy and salvation for the perishing. See our troubles and misfortunes, in the image of which the crafty enemy wants to destroy us. But You, Most Pure One, put an end to his cunning deceit, so that, having escaped, we glorify You, the firm Intercessor, and rejoice with the cry of Ty: Rejoice, from the beginning of the ages you were chosen to be the head of our salvation. Rejoice, luminous chamber prepared for the Lady. Rejoice, fruitful vegetation of the barren root. Rejoice , dedicated to God from infancy. Rejoice, raised in the holy temple. Rejoice, adorned with all virtues. Rejoice, God-chosen Youth. Rejoice, who brought forth the fruit of life for us. Rejoice, intercessor of the Russian lands, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 2

Seeing You, gracious Mother, in Your most wonderful icon, as I exist with us, people suffering from incurable illness fall to her with tears and faith, kissing and expecting great and rich mercy from You. Having thus improved the healing, they cry out loudly to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

The mind is enlightened by God by the grace of having received from Thy wonderful icon, healing all people, preaching about the miracles revealed from this holy icon, so that everyone flows to it with faith and accepts the speedy healings glorifying Thee, crying out: Rejoice, for through You you have brought light to the world. Rejoice, for you have looked upon The Lord is on the humility of His Servant. Rejoice, for all your kindred will bless Thee. Rejoice, for the Mighty One has done greatness to You. Rejoice, you who lent flesh to the Son of God. Rejoice, you who united God with man. Rejoice, you who have benefited the world more than all the saints. Rejoice, by the grace of God and sanctifying us. Rejoice, intercessor of the Russian lands, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 3

The whole world preaches Your power and greatness, O Mother of God, the whole world glorifies You, especially the Russian country without a word, the holy monasteries and churches rejoice, the face of the saints praises You evermore, the monastics and laymen fall to Your icon and the choir of the earthly people cries out in agreement: do not forget us all, O All-Sung Virgin , grant peace to the world and bring joy in sorrow, send joy to everyone and listen to our cry, and together with the inhabitants of heaven let us all cry out to the Heavenly God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having providence for the people of the Russian land, You, O Lady, deigned to build a temple in the village of Balykino as a quiet refuge for those suffering in this world and to dedicate it to the name of the faithful servant of the Holy Trinity, the warm prayer book of Christ, St. Nicholas, and gave him Your holy icon as a shield and fence, Yes, all, toiled by the sorrows and storms of life, resort to this wholesome image, as if to You Yourself, offering up the praises: Rejoice, bush, foreseen by the lawgiver. Rejoice, pillar of fire, instruct those who are in darkness. Rejoice, ladder reaching to heaven, which came down God. Rejoice, bridge, leading those who are from earth to heaven. Rejoice, who snatches the desperate from the depths of evil. Rejoice, lightning, enlightening souls. Rejoice, illuminating the meanings of the faithful. Rejoice, star, showing us the way in the darkness. Rejoice, intercessor of the Russian lands, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 4

Having a storm of doubtful thoughts inside, Timothy of Dula was dismayed, in vain the birth of his holy icon of the Mother of God, which shed tears on the day of the Suveian battle, was quickly possessed by fear and with a tearful prayer he promised to give Your icon, the Lady, to the new built temple; Fulfill the will of the Most Pure One, cry out with joy: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing Elizabeth Your kiss, who came to You in the city of Judah, and was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out with a great voice and said: “Where does this come from to me, so that the Mother of my Lord may come to me?” Oh, Most Pure Virgin, visit us, the weak and wretched, and lift up our sighs, like incense smoke, to the Throne of the Most High, so that from the fullness of a grateful heart we sing to You: Rejoice, animated by the Throne of the Almighty. Rejoice, devil of seedless disgrace. Rejoice, righteous affirmation to souls. Rejoice, glory and worship of the angelic order. Rejoice, source of life and immortality. Rejoice, dawn of the mysterious day. Rejoice, for through You we receive consolation for our souls. Rejoice, for in Your Dormition we gain the guarantee of immortality. Rejoice, lands of the Russian Intercessor, admonisher instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 5

Your God-bearing star has appeared, O Mother of God, illuminating our entire country and enlightening those in the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge of God, illuminating those who mourn with joy, and instructing those who have gone astray on the path of doing the commandments of Your Son and God. To him we cry out in gratitude: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing how You have shone in Your most honorable icon, the Virgin Mother of God, the light of salvation for all wandering in the darkness of sins and passions, and You have bestowed this celibate icon on this temple and this weight, we pray before it with faith: Grant Your quick help to those who cry out for You like this: Rejoice, Mother of God, who accepts the petitions of the sick. Rejoice, Healer, who heals ailments with grace. Rejoice, All-Merciful One, who reveals salvation from God. Rejoice, All-Generous One, bestowing upon us with Her bounties. Rejoice, protection of infants. Rejoice, instruction of the young. Rejoice, in our minds enlightening. Rejoice, driving away pride and conceit from us. Rejoice, Intercessor of the Russian lands, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 6

Preaching love, meekness and all-forgiveness to the world, who with Christ Your Son endured all the sorrows of the earth, who adopted the Apostle John and with him the entire Christian race to her mother’s heart, Ever-Virgin Most Immaculate, do not reject us, who in the darkness of our sins and who demand maternal consolation, and with We call with thanksgiving to the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Having shone forth the light of the knowledge of God by the appearance of Your Balykinsky icon, you, O Bogomati, favored the light of faith in the lands of Severstei during the days of the invasion of the Suey, and all people. having been delivered by You from sorrow, captivity and death, they incessantly cry out to You: Rejoice, our endless joy. Rejoice, bright joy of the heart. Rejoice, strange refuge. Rejoice, friend of the orphans. Rejoice, quenching of our sorrows. Rejoice, our consolation in sorrows. Rejoice, to the offended Patroness. Rejoice, deliverer from captivity and death. Rejoice, Intercessor of the Russian lands, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 7

Although the wonderful saint John of Tobolsk departed from the city of Chernigov to the borders of Siberia, he gave your most honorable icon, called Balykinskaya, to the sisters of the newly created monastery of Oryol, may the blessing of the Queen of Heaven rest on it, and that monastery was dedicated to her. They accepted the miraculous gift of the wondrous saint, worshiped Your image with love, and hurried to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Showing a new creation, you shone throughout the entire universe like a wondrous temple of God, filled with Divine glory and grace. Oh, Most Pure Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven of men and Angels, apostles and martyrs, shine for us as a guiding star in the darkness of our sorrowful days, rejoice our hearts, cast into despondency, enlighten our minds, embraced by the darkness of despair, raise up our strength, from the waning sorrow , increase our faith, strengthen our hope and warm with the fire of fiery love our bitter and embittered souls, so that we can see You, listening to us in heaven, prayerfully calling to You: Rejoice, our unshameful hope. Rejoice, indestructible affirmation of faith. Rejoice, unstoppable dawn of truth .Rejoice, ineffable light of the Mystery. Rejoice, sanctifying earthly existence. Rejoice, guiding star, guiding us to the truth of God. Rejoice, one blessed one, visiting our sorrowful world in sorrow. Rejoice, opening the doors of repentance and salvation to us. Rejoice, intercessor of the Russian lands , admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 8

Your miracles and mercies, Most Blessed Mother of our Lord, are preached by the Russian land and brightly flaunted by many of Your miraculous icons, in the midst of which Your Balykin icon, like the full moon, shines unwaveringly with the rays of miracles, enlightening our souls with the light of God’s grace and encouraging us to cry out in praise to the Triune Who glorified You To God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Let every earth-born leap, we enlighten in spirit from Thy wholesome shrine, Our joy and praise. Let us never be silent about Your power, even if we are unworthy before the majesty of Your glory, but accept the praises offered up from us from the depths of our souls: Rejoice, warm prayer service, propitiating the Judge of all. Rejoice, calling those who have gone astray from the path of truth to repentance. Rejoice, our Guardian , protecting you in the present. Rejoice, Intercessor, ever interceding in the future. Rejoice, softening the hardness of the heart with Your grace. Rejoice, teaching you to know You with a pure and good heart. Rejoice, bringing the prayers of the faithful to Your Son. Rejoice, for You Yourself are our intercession before God Rejoice, Intercessor of the Russian lands, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 9

It is fitting for all of us to appear before the Judgment Court of Christ, so that each one may receive according to his deeds, whether good or bad. How will I appear there, how will I answer the Immortal King, with whose boldness I will look at the Judge, prodigal I? O Mother of Mercy and Seeker of the Lost! Instruct me in the path of salvation, O Mother of God, and on the day of Judgment appear, O Lady, and stand before me, liberating torment and fire, so that I may be saved by You and sing Your irresistible grace and bring a grateful song of praise to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The Vetus of Manifestation, which the Holy Psalmist calls madness, recite: there is no God, there is no soul in man, there is no Providence of God, and other crazy verbs, not remembering the countless mercies of the Creator and Creator, who gives us all day and night, food and drink, breath and life. and all being, about Him we all move and live. Those who trust only in human reason seek in vain for their well-being. We do not rely on princes, on the sons of men, but we place all our hope in Your Son, Mother of God, for He is our salvation, so let us not be ashamed. You, O Mother of God, help us to convey our faith to the end as an unquenchable lamp, and in the tenderness of our hearts we cry out to You: Rejoice, destruction of destructive teachings. Rejoice, eradication of unbelief, heresies and schisms. Rejoice, clear reproof of evil faith. Rejoice, good admonition of those who are erring. .Rejoice, we are protected from delusion and seduction. Rejoice, we are affirmed in the Orthodox faith. Rejoice, conquering the demonic regiments. Rejoice, helping us to walk the path of salvation. Rejoice, intercessor of the Russian lands, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 10

To save many people from troubles and sorrows, You exude, O Mother of God, an inexhaustible source of mercy from Your icon to our family and to all who worship You with faith and love, grant speedy help. In this holy temple you release streams of grace from your icon, fulfilling your useful request to all who honor you. In the same way, glorifying God, who gave us such grace, we cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You bestowed wall and help, cover and protection on Your Balykinskaya icon, Lady, of the Oryol monastery of nuns. You always deigned, after persecution, to return it to the place where it had previously remained even before the cruel devastation. The sisters of that monastery and all the people, having accepted You as consolation to the sad, joy to the grieving and hope to the desperate, gratefully glorified You: Rejoice, who deigned to give us the holy icon. Rejoice, who showed Your love for this monastery. Rejoice, who arranged a monastic life. Rejoice, giving blessing in Your image. Rejoice, quick help in all needs. Rejoice, quick consolation in sorrows. Rejoice, accepting those abandoned by doctors in Your hand. Rejoice, transforming their sorrow into joy. Rejoice, Russian lands, Intercessor, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation .

Kontakion 11

We offer all-contrite singing to Thee, Thy servants, the Mother of God, as the all-powerful Intercessor of our race: quench the sickness of our many-sighing souls, tame the wrath of God, the sin that righteously moves upon us for our sakes, deliver us from all fierce sorrow and illness that cry out to God about You: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

As a light-receiving canopy, appearing to those in the darkness of troubles, we see the holy icon of the Mother of God; the immaterial fire of grace is received, illumines everyone with the rays of miracles, teaching us to cry out to the Blessed One: Rejoice, justification of the slandered. Rejoice, protection of the offended. Rejoice, healing of my body. Rejoice, salvation of my soul. Rejoice, deliverer from troubles by Your strong intercession. Rejoice, from Freeing from famine and vain death. Rejoice, protecting us from fire, sword and invasion of foreigners. Rejoice, protecting us from plagues and all-destruction of mortals. Rejoice, Intercessor of the Russian lands, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 12

The grace received from God by Thy Son, O Virgin Mother of God, and poured out upon all who flow to Thy image with faith, do not deprive us of Thy rich mercy now, grant us repentance for sins, so that with a pure heart and lips we cry out to Thy beloved Son and our God : Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing Your mercies and miracles, we all praise You, Mother of God, and like ancient Israel to the ark of the covenant we flow to Your image and from the depths of our souls we cry: lift up your hand to Your Son, that He may give us all that is good and saving, crying out to You with faith and love: Rejoice, God-loving Queen Theotokos. Rejoice, for the help of those who warmly pray to You. Rejoice, for those who grieve, Joy and the lost. Requirement. Rejoice, for the whole world hope and consolation. Rejoice, for giving unexpected joy. Rejoice, for ever helping us with Your icon. Rejoice, for fulfilling our petitions for good .Rejoice, who flows forth mercy to us from Your icon. Rejoice, Intercessor of the Russian lands, admonishing us and instructing us on the path of salvation.

Kontakion 13

Oh, All-Singing Mother, Heavenly Queen and Lady, Virgin Mary, Helper of sinners, unreliable hopes, desperate and perishing salvation. You mercifully protect in adversity and sorrow, in serious illnesses you heal everyone who comes running under Your honest protection. Accept, Most Pure One, this small prayer offered to You, quench our sorrows and deliver us from all evils, misfortunes, troubles, sorrows and eternal condemnation; May we not perish in our despair, but through Your salvation we cry out to God evermore: Alleluia. (This kontakion is read three times, and therefore Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1)

First prayer

Oh, Mother of God, once upon a time our former Fatherland was in great trouble from the invasion of the heterodox Slavs, You showed your all-powerful intercession by glorifying Your all-honorable image, called Balykinsky, in the country of Seversti, and with Your tears visible on it, You begged Your Son and our God to grant the Orthodox Christians a glorious victory and overpowering adversaries. You, Most Merciful Mother, in the past days in the city of Orel, before Your Most Pure Image, granted healing to a girl suffering from an unclean spirit, returning her to her parents healthy and unharmed. You, the ambulance Helper in human troubles, heard the cry of the mother of the child, suddenly falling from the heights of her home, and restored it soundly and harmlessly. You, an inexhaustible source of miracles and generosity, deigned to grant a speedy healing to the greatly weakened young woman brought to Your wondrous image, strengthening her spirit for the desired walk. You, the omnipotent Queen of heaven and earth, raised up babies from an incurable illness, and their parents came to You with faith and love. You, the Giver of peace to our souls, delivered the young man from ferocious passions and bowed his ill-will to good behavior and submission to his parents. You endlessly poured out streams of Your mercy on everyone who flowed to Your most holy image in spiritual sorrows, bodily illnesses and everyday misfortunes. Listen, O All-Blessed One, to our present earnest prayer: direct the paths of our earthly journey to a peaceful and beneficial life, decorate our life with good customs, block with Your omnipotent hand the mouths of false teachers who rise up against the Mind of God, corrupting the customs of our Orthodox ancestors and corrupting the minds and hearts our young children, send us all the days of our lives to have purity of thoughts and heart movements. O All-Singing One, intercede and save us through our destinies and lead us into the joyful abodes of Thy Son and our God. Amen.

Second prayer

O Lady, Queen of Heaven, You have shown Your mercy by glorifying in the region of the North of Your all-honorable face, called Balykinsky, and You have turned away the righteous anger and rebuke of Your son and our God from the Russian Fatherland, which was once near destruction in the invasion of the hordes of the Sue. Seeing the sorrow of the faithful children of the Orthodox Church, You, compassionate Mother, shed visible tears for our suffering people. You have tamed the pestilence of people and the plague of cattle. You healed the mental and physical wounds of your wounded wife. You gave the young woman insight. You have restored from a terrible illness those who had been left in sickness by everyone. You snatched a maiden from the claws of Belial. To this day You endlessly pour out streams of Your mercies and bounties to all who come running with undoubted faith in Your all-powerful help. Listen now to our prayer, direct the paths of our earthly wanderings and grant us a quiet and serene refuge upon our repose. Decorate our lives with good and pious customs. With Your omnipotent hand, restrain the false prophets and false teachers who rise up against the mind of God. Send us purity of thoughts, enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the vision of salvation and renew us with the goodness of Your mercy. O Most Pure Lady, tears are not sufficient to atone for our many sins. Encourage us, strengthen us and lead us as you wish. Amen.

Prayer three

O Most Holy Lady, Most Pure Virgin Theotokos, Mother of my Lord God Jesus Christ, I fall down and pray to You as the Tsar’s Mother, commending to You this unworthy prayer, having received it, for the Mother of the King of heaven and earth, bring them all to the King of kings, all to the Lord, Your Son and ask God for forgiveness for all my sins, grant correction to my life and a serene passage at death from airborne enemies; Open the Divine entrance to the Kingdom; intercede with me; and there the heavenly food of pleasure, the heavenly city of the most beautiful Jerusalem, joy and indescribable beauties, the lightness of the threefold Trinity light and the sweet voice of angelic songs to enjoy; Make me an heir to her glory and joy and a partaker of all the saints: for all you can, as the Mother of the Almighty King. And now, more than ever at this hour, hear me, O All-Merciful Lady, standing before Thee, look forth, Lady Queen, offering prayers to Thee, and crying out to God and the Lady of all: Glory to Thee, O God, unto the ages. Amen.

Source

Troparion

In addition to prayers dedicated to the Mother of God, there are other Orthodox texts. A short prayer chant, a troparion, is also read in front of the Balykin icon. Most often it is inserted into the Mother of God rule, but it is allowed to be read according to the call of the heart and soul.

The words of the sacred text read as follows:

“To the intercessor of the Russian land from the invasion of Sveisk and the unceasing Prayer Book for us, ask the Lord for peace for the earth and for our souls, that the Name of God may be hallowed in us forever.”