The history of the appearance of the akathist
The appearance of the akathist is associated with the image of the Mother of God of the same name. This icon, kept for a long time in the Moscow Kazan Cathedral, became famous for its miraculous help in raising children. According to the type of writing, it is “Hodegetria”.
The beautiful face of the Mother of God, pointing her hand at her Son, is meek and sad. The Child Christ is dressed in light clothes, exposing the legs and chest of the Savior. The naked flesh of Christ symbolizes his sacrifice for people. The color scheme is characteristic of the Eastern Christian tradition: red, gold, white colors.
The origin and fate of the image are not known for certain. There is a version that this Greek icon was brought to Rus' from Byzantium. Be that as it may, it was a real relic for Moscow. Residents of the city came to her with requests and prayers. Since then, a short prayer has been preserved: “I entrust my child entirely to my Lord Jesus Christ and to Your, Most Pure, heavenly protection.”
Despite the important status of the icon, the shrine was lost in 1918. Some suggest that the image was taken abroad. Perhaps this image is kept in one of the modern private collections. When the Kazan Cathedral was restored, a detailed list was placed in the original place of the icon. Although the original has not yet been discovered, Orthodox Christians still turn to the icon with sincere prayer.
It is not known when and by whom the akathist to the icon was written. The exact date of its adoption is December 28, 2022. It was on this day that the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church approved the reading of the akathist to the Mother of God “Education” in churches and in home, cell prayer. Therefore, you can read it both in church, during worship, and at home, on your own.
In addition to this chant, officially approved by the heads of the church, another version can be found in some sources. In it, the traditional word “Rejoice” is replaced by the word “Educate.” The authors of this text also remain unknown.
Amazing image
How to raise godly daughters and sons? Modern psychology and pedagogy are aimed at atheists. Therefore, selfishness and arbitrariness flourish in society. The immeasurable parental love makes girls and boys even more confused. Divine grace must descend on the souls of parents. And this happens only with a sincere appeal to God and His Most Pure Mother in prayer or akathist.
“Pray first, and then speak to your children with love.
Because with our conversations we become annoying
for others, we cause their resistance and sometimes indignation.
So it's better to speak mysteriously to their hearts
through sacramental prayer than with their ears.”
Elder Porfiry Kavsokalivit
Icon of the Mother of God “Nurturing”
The miraculous image of the Mother of God “Education”, before which the above-mentioned akathist was written, acquired such a name from the fact that the answer in the form of the good help of the Queen of Heaven especially often condescended to parents who prayed before him for their children.
The day of veneration is March 18 (or March 5 according to the old calendar).
Story
The “Education” icon is one of the ancient icons of the Mother of God. Its ancestor is considered to be the greatest spiritual and moral Christian state in world history, with more than a thousand years of history, the Byzantine Empire. It is gratifying that this icon appeared precisely in Rus', in a country that chose the severity and greatness of Orthodoxy and became the spiritual successor of Byzantium.
Useful materials
Before the revolution, the place of her veneration was the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square. But the godless revolutionary hand punished many churches and shrines of the Russian Church. This house of God did not escape an evil fate. After the confiscation of church valuables, the original icon of the Mother of God “Education” was irretrievably lost. Later, icon painters managed to reproduce the list of the revered miraculous icon of the Mother of God and return the shrine to its original place.
Description
This image of the Mother of God is written in accordance with the canonical rules and the iconographic type of Hodegetria (Guide). The Virgin Mary holds on her left hand the baby Jesus, Her only Son. The Mother of God, in pensive humility, looks from the canvas a little to the side, tenderly and with love. With her right hand she points to Jesus as the only Savior of the human race. And little Jesus stretches out his palm to Mother’s face, just like an ordinary child stretches his little hands to the face of his most beloved, dear mother.
The figure of the Virgin Mary is dressed in a dark red maforium with three stars, one of which is hidden by a baby sitting in her arms. A golden border flows along the edge of the robe. Jesus is wearing a cloak-like fabric, as a prototype of the shroud. The upper part of the chest is naked (on some icons the chest is completely open).
Icon of the Mother of God “Nurturing”
Interesting fact
Despite the fact that the first Byzantine icons were characterized by a general asceticism, this image of the Mother of God is distinguished by solemnity and airiness. The icon painter managed to achieve this effect thanks to a sophisticated palette and light lines.
Why is an akathist to the icon “Education” of the Blessed Virgin Mary needed?
Akathist is a poetic Christian chant glorifying God, the Mother of God, and the holy righteous. Its meaning is to praise the Lord and thank him for his mercies. The tradition of creating such solemn hymns began in Byzantium, during the heyday of Orthodox culture.
Since the “Education” icon became famous for its miracles and help, grateful believers composed a hymn of praise for the image. This chant helps to establish relationships with children and bring them to reason. Despite the care and protection of parents, the child, sooner or later, faces the cruelty and injustice of the world. Many temptations, fears and temptations stand in the way of a person.
Only proper education can help in such a situation. It is especially important for Christians to raise a child to be morally and ethically complete, conscious, and compassionate. It is in order to be able to do this that the akathist is read.
Prayer is one of the best ways to influence children. If problems arise with a child - he is capricious, does not obey, rebels, then it is useless to argue with him and limit him. Most likely, an attempt to suppress his aspirations will end in even greater protest.
Therefore, before scolding your son or daughter, you should pray and ask the Lord and the Mother of God to admonish your child. In addition, a person cannot constantly be near the child. By releasing a child from home, a Christian entrusts his child to the will of God, and he must rely on it.
The Akathist to the Mother of God can be read not only for specific problems with children, but also to ensure that these problems do not appear in the future.
If turning to the Heavenly Queen helped, then you should thank, including through prayer and reading the akathist.
Akathist words
The words of the akathist to the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos are given below.
If you wish, you can find an akathist to the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Russian, not Slavic, in order to more accurately and fully understand its meaning.
Full text of the akathist in Russian
In different sources you can find 2 versions of the chant “Education”. Both refer to the icon of the same name. The standard rite includes: opening prayers, the akathist itself, and the final song “It is worthy to eat.” The chant includes 12 ikos, 13 kontakia and closing prayers. Some features regarding the sequence of kontakia and ikos are usually prescribed in the text of the akathist itself.
Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon “Education”
Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voivode and good Educator of the Christian race, as having gotten rid of the evil ones, let us write a letter of gratitude to Thy servants, but as having an invincible power, free my children from all troubles, and with tears I call to Thee: raise my children (names) worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom and eternal heirs do them good.
Ikos 1
Send an angel from heaven to my children, intercede, O Most Holy One, with Thy Son and God, just as a mighty guardian, Gabriel the Archangel, was sent to You, and grant me the power to cry out to You:
Raise my children as earthly angels;
Raise my children to be heavenly people.
Raise my children to be Your servants;
Raise my children to cry to You: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with You.”
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 2
Seeing my maternal prayer for my children, I ask You for the only help: take them under Your honest and merciful protection, so that they may cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Send me thought to my children, how to serve You well and fill their hearts with heavenly wisdom, grant them to love it alone, and despise earthly things, and do not forbid with my mouth the cry like this:
Raise my children to be wise, like serpents, and simple, like doves;
Raise my children to have a mind for good and not to sin.
Raise my children to be wise against the wiles of the devil;
Raise my children to wisely organize their lives in the image of the saints.
Raise my children to nourish them with the milk of God’s hidden wisdom, so that they may seek it in all their lives;
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 3
May the power of the Most High overshadow my children for the sake of unceasing intercession before Your Son, and therefore, having recognized Your motherly mercy for all who flow to God with faith, they will cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having my children from God, I do not want to see them in eternal torment, more so than those written in the Book of Life and inheriting eternal life. For this reason, Most Pure Virgin, incline your ear to my prayer, crying to You:
Raise my children to avoid eternal torment;
Raise my children to inherit an eternal life.
Educate my children to lead the path of life in repentance;
Raise my children, who through difficulty acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Raise my children to strive to capture the Kingdom of Heaven;
Raise my children to be written in the Book of Life.
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 4
Having a storm within me of doubtful thoughts, ascending to feed my children into the eternal belly, I weep, and, remembering Your abundant mercies, in hope and tenderness of heart I sing to the Son: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing Your voice saying to Your Son: “Keep those given to me by You as an inheritance forever,” I stretch out my hand and heart to Your mercy, so that you may raise My children among Your servants and fulfill my request:
Raise my children in Your most holy inheritance;
Raise my children with all Your saints.
Raise my children to be slaves who do all Your commandments;
Raise my children to walk the narrow path of the commandments of Your Son to Jerusalem on high.
Raise my children to seek help from You alone;
Raise my children to be accepted into the eternal belly.
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 5
May the morning star, that is, Your Son, the Most Holy Virgin, shine with an unevening light in the hearts of my children, so that I may cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing my diligent prayer offered up to Your glory, like fragrant incense, do not turn Your face away from my children, lest they turn away from You, but rather hear the words of my mouth, crying out to You:
Raise my children to be poor in spirit, for they are the Kingdom of Heaven;
Raise my children to weep, so that they will be comforted.
Raise my children to be meek, for they will inherit the earth;
Raise my children to be hungry and thirsty for righteousness, so that they will be satisfied.
Raise my children to be merciful, for they will receive mercy;
Raise my children to be pure in heart, so that they will see God.
Raise my children to be peacemakers, for they will be called the Sons of God;
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 6
The entire Christian world preaches the constant intercession of orphans, widows and mothers, praying for their children and crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Raise the rays of grace in the souls of my children, so that those enlightened by You from above will see the path leading to the eternal life, and follow it, nourished under Your almighty Protection, into the Church of Your Son, where life is endless, and for this sake, hear me calling to You sitse:
Raise my children with the light of the world, may their light shine before people, and may they see their good deeds and glorify the Heavenly Father;
Raise my children with enlightenment from Your Son, so that in His light they will see the light and direct their feet towards Him.
Raise my children, turning the eyes of your heart to the Creator of all things;
Raise my children, guiding the morning star who is Your Son in the abode of the righteous.
Raise my children to be meek, silent and trembling at the words of God;
Raise my children to love You and Your Son not only with their minds, but also with their hearts.
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 7
I want eternal salvation for my child, I stand with tears before Your honorable icon, Lady, may you not despise my prayer, calling to Your Son: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
By the wondrous and unfathomable destinies of Your Son, you have drawn my children of mercy with your howling hand under Your gracious Protection, so that with zeal I call to You:
Raise my children to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness;
Raise my children to walk through the narrow gates leading to the eternal belly.
Raise up my children in every place to do the will of Your Son and God;
Raise my children to strive to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise my children to be ignorant and to think blasphemy against the Holy Spirit;
Raise my children among the small number of Your chosen ones.
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 8
Wandering in this earthly vale of many sorrows and many rebellions, my children, where they will find joy and consolation, if not in You, Most Pure One, travel and guide them on the true path, let them call to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You are the merciful Mother of all, O Lady, and I want you to remain my child. Behold, I entrust them in Thy hand and in humility I ask Thee:
Raise my children to be watchful and praying, so that they will not fall into temptation;
Raise my children to be merciful, just as the Heavenly Father is merciful.
Raise my children in the tenderness of infancy, as children are the Kingdom of God;
Raise my children to be the least of all, so that they will be great before God.
Raise my children to keep the Word of God, making them partakers of the bliss of heaven;
Raise my children to be trustworthy for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 9
Fill them with all the goodness of their souls and hearts, driving away from them the spirit of evil-smelling atheism, giving from Your bounties to everyone, but each time according to need, so I call to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The branch of those who are unwise in communication, who speak lies against Your omnipotent intercession, deliver them and look upon me, who truly cry out:
Raise my children to vigorously resist the atheists;
Raise my children to stand firmly against God-hating teachings.
Raise my children to reject the false instructions of unbelieving teachers;
Raise my children to not accept the spirit of the sons of disobedience.
Raise my children to escape the joys of the world and the delights of this world;
Raise my children to shun evil and do good.
Raise my children to love and pray for each of them;
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 10
Although to save the world, your Son came from heaven to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance. For this reason, pray to Your Son and say about my children, so that they may cry out to God for salvation through You: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Become an indestructible wall, O Heavenly Queen, to my children, so that under Your blessed Protection they can do many good deeds, and with them I call to You:
Raise my children to lead them to do the will of Your Son and God;
Raise my children to hate sin and all lawlessness.
Raise my children to love goodness and every virtue;
Raise my children in immaculate purity.
Raise my children to ascend the ladder of your belly every day;
Raise my children in their sorrow by turning their eyes to Your mercy.
Raise my children in obedience and chastity who serve You;
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 11
Make my children (names) worthy to sing Your irresistible intercession, and by Your grace open their mouths to cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Make their life day and night a light-receiving light from above, burning and melting from love for You and Your Son and neighbor, and do not despise me when I call You:
Raise my children to love You with all their hearts and thoughts;
Raise my children to always look at the cross and the suffering of Your Son.
Raise my children to open their mouths only to praise and glorify Your goodness;
Raise my children to await the coming of Your Son with tears.
Raise my children in more sober and unceasing prayer;
Raise my children to always stand in reverence for You.
Raise my children to produce good fruit;
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 12
Fill the hearts of my children with the ineffable grace of the Holy Spirit, so that I may love only Your Son and God, and I, the Most Gracious One, moved by You, call to the King of all: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Thy mercy, with which you have mercy and nourishment of my children, I pray, do not stop asking Thy Son for them, for I believe that everything is available to You, and fulfill my prayers for the good:
Raise my children to be filled with the Holy Spirit;
Raise my children to be present at the Judgment of Your Son at the right hand.
Raise my children to live holy;
Raise my children with the grace of the Spirit of God, firmly on the path to return to abiding.
Raise my children to be insatiably hungry and thirsty for the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit;
Raise my children to be perfect, just as our Heavenly Father is perfect.
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 13
O All-Singing Mother of the Sweetest Jesus! Accept this small akathist prayer into the stench of fragrance for my children (names) and take them under Your merciful Protection. Also grant them to think, know, hear, speak and do only that which brings them closer to You and Your Son, and contributes to eternal salvation. And send them in this life everything useful for the salvation of their souls, let them call to God: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1
Ikos 1
Send an angel from heaven to my children, intercede, O Most Holy One, with Thy Son and God, just as a mighty guardian, Gabriel the Archangel, was sent to You, and grant me the power to cry out to You:
Raise my children as earthly angels;
Raise my children to be heavenly people.
Raise my children to be Your servants;
Raise my children to cry to You: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with You.”
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voivode and good Educator of the Christian race, as having gotten rid of the evil ones, let us write a letter of gratitude to Thy servants, but as having an invincible power, free my children from all troubles, and with tears I call to Thee: raise my children (names) worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom and eternal heirs do them good.
Prayer to the Lord
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, hear us, Your unworthy servants, who diligently flow to You. Lord, in Your merciful power are our children, Your servants (names). Have mercy and save them for Thy name's sake, forgive them all sins, voluntary and involuntary, committed by them before You, Lord. Guide them on the true path, enlighten their minds with Your light, warm their hearts with Your love. Lord, bless them in the house, in the teaching, on the road and in every place of Your dominion. Lord, protect them under the shelter of Your Saints from a flying arrow, from fire, from a sword, from a deadly plague and from vain death. Lord, protect them from all visible and invisible enemies, heal them from all illnesses, cleanse them from all filth and ease their mental suffering. Lord, grant them the grace of Your Holy Spirit for many years of life, health, chastity and piety. Lord, multiply and strengthen their mental and physical strength, which You have given them. Grant Your blessing to our children for a pious and, if You please, family life. Lord, grant us Thy unworthy and sinful servants (names) a blessing for the upbringing of our children and make us worthy to collectively reach the Eternal Kingdom and there glorify Thy most honorable and magnificent Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer to the Mother of God
O Most Holy Lady Virgin Mary, most merciful Mother of all people, save and preserve under Your shelter our children (names), all youths, young women, infants and those carried in the womb of their mother. Cover them with Your robe, keep them in the fear of God and obedience as a parent, pray to our Lord and Your Son to grant them everything useful for spiritual salvation. We entrust them to Your maternal supervision, as You are the Divine protection of Your servant.
Reading rules
The memorial date of the “Education” icon is March 5. This day is best suited for reading the akathist and glorifying the Most Pure Virgin Mary. But there are no special restrictions on addressing the icon. If the need arises, you can pray any day.
The only exception concerns those cases when a Christian wants to read the akathist for a long period of time, for example, 40 days. For such serious prayer commitments, it is necessary to first consult with a priest and take a blessing.
In other matters concerning the reading of the akathist, the same rules apply as for everyone else. You can include this solemn chant in morning or evening prayers. It is advisable to pray in front of the very image of the Mother of God. Usually during any conversion it is important to light a lamp or candle because this light represents human faith.
If the person praying is at home, then it is advisable to turn to the Mother of God alone, so as not to be distracted from the godly work. On the other hand, if both parents, father and mother, come to the Lord and ask for protection for their child, such a prayer, without a doubt, guarantees the child safety and help from Higher powers.
