In Orthodoxy, the Virgin Mary is especially revered. It is believed that with her miraculous prayers to the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos will save all Christians living on Earth.
Her image is depicted in many icons. Many of them depict the saint with the baby Jesus in her arms. The miracle of a girl’s virgin birth alone makes one believe in the great power of God’s providence. The life of Mary is an example of meekness and humility for each of us.
Help of the Virgin Mary
Many Orthodox believers celebrate the miraculous power of the Mother of God. She saves and protects believers.
- The Virgin Mary is the patroness of all mothers.
- It can cure various ailments, including infertility.
- It is generally accepted that the image of the Mother of God saves believers from civil strife and wars.
- The Virgin Mary promotes childbirth, teaching, and raising children.
There is probably no situation in which the Most Holy Theotokos would not help Orthodox Christians.
Appeal to the Virgin Mary - Mother of God. What is this?
How does the saint help believers? The prayer book has a special section of appeals to the Virgin. It is called “Theotokos”. It is a collection of all prayers to the Most Holy Mother of God. They are used to resolve problems in any life situation, from pregnancy and childbirth to commemoration of the dead.
So, why is the prayer appeal to the Virgin Mary called the Theotokos? What is this?
The Theotokos is included in the required reading of the liturgy (morning service). The appeal to the Blessed Virgin is especially revered during great Orthodox holidays. It is believed that with her prayers the Mother of God protects all Christian churches and cathedrals and brings grace to believers.
The Holy Fathers noted that prayers addressed specifically to the Virgin Mary have special power. Therefore, it was decided to generalize them with the name Theotokos to indicate their great status. Currently, the meaning of the word has changed somewhat. Many temple ministers simply refer to this definition as an appeal to the Blessed Virgin.
How to read the Mother of God
The main prayer to the Virgin Mary is “Most Holy Theotokos, save us.” It is customary to read it in all life situations. This prayer provides salvation in case of danger and protection in good luck.
The Theotokos is read during the liturgy after the Our Father. Its text is repeated 33 times at a time. Then the main appeal to the Mother of God is made at the beginning of each part of the service.
Prayer before the sacrament of communion has special power. It is believed that it is during this period that the grace of God is imposed on a Christian. What is the Theotokos before communion? Turning to the Virgin Mary before the holy sacrament allows you to open the soul of the believer to God and forgive all his sins.
Abbreviations for prayers adopted in prayer books
In prayer books, some frequently used prayers and even small series of prayers are not given in full each time, but are indicated abbreviated. Such abbreviations - for example, the abbreviation “Glory, and now:” - are found in almost all prayer books. This not only saves space, but is also very convenient for experienced readers and singers. However, a novice prayer book can sometimes be confused by abbreviations that are not yet familiar to him. Therefore, we provide a list of the most common abbreviations that can be found in prayer books.
Only when indicated in the Psalter after each of the three parts of kathisma
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, O God. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake. Lord have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Come, let us worship our King God. (Bow) Come, let us bow and fall down to Christ, our King God. (Bow) Come, let us bow and fall down to Christ Himself, the King and our God. (Bow).
Holy Mother of God, save us
Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Russian Orthodox Church Ilinsky deanery of Moscow
142191, Moscow, Troitsk, st. Bogorodskaya, 12. tel.: 8 (916) 655-74-76
The Power of Prayer
The biography of the saint is considered an example for all Orthodox Christians. Even during the life of the Mother of God, prayerful appeal to her saved believers from adversity and troubles. In the period after her death and to this day, the great Virgin Mary does not cease to patronize Christians.
Almost every believer notes her help in the most difficult situations.
The Most Pure Virgin showed her love for the Orthodox more than once in the form of myrrh streaming from icons, miraculous healing from the belt of the Mother of God, and manifestations of grace during the celebration of the Nativity, the Dormition, and the entrance to the temple.
Theotokos rule
Virgin Mary, Rejoice, O Blessed Mary, the Lord is with You; Blessed are You among women and blessed is the Fruit of Your womb, for You have given birth to the Savior of our souls. (Read 150 times daily).
If, out of habit, it will be difficult to complete 150 times daily, you should read 50 times at first. After every ten, you need to read “Our Father” and “Doors of Mercy” once.
Video (click to play).
Below is a diagram into which Bishop Seraphim (Zvezdinsky) included his prayers to the Ever-Virgin Mary. Fulfilling the Theotokos rule, he prayed for the whole world and covered with this rule the entire life of the Queen of Heaven. After every ten, additional prayers are read, for example those listed below:
First ten. We remember the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We pray for mothers, fathers and children.
O Most Holy Lady Theotokos, save and preserve Your servants
(names of parents and relatives)
, and rest those who died with the saints in Your eternal glory.
Second ten. We remember the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We pray for those who are lost and have fallen away from the Church
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, save and preserve and unite
(or join)
(names)
to the Holy Orthodox Church Third ten. We remember the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We pray for the quenching of sorrows and the consolation of those who mourn.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, assuage our sorrows and send comfort to your grieving and sick servants
(names)
.
Fourth decade. We remember the Meeting of the Most Holy Theotokos with Righteous Elizabeth. We pray for the unification of those who are separated, whose loved ones or children are separated or missing.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, unite your separated servants
(names)
.
Fifth decade. We remember the Nativity of Christ, we pray for the rebirth of souls, for new life in Christ.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, grant to me, who was baptized into Christ, to be clothed in Christ.
Sixth decade. We remember the Presentation of the Lord, and the word prophesied by Saint Simeon: “And a weapon will pierce your very soul.” We pray that the Mother of God would meet the soul at the hour of death and would grant her, with her last breath, to partake of the Holy Mysteries and lead the soul through terrible ordeals.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, grant me, with my last breath, to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ and lead my soul through terrible ordeals.
Seventh decade. We remember the flight to Egypt of the Mother of God with the Infant God, we pray that the Queen of Heaven would help us avoid temptations in this life and deliver us from misfortunes.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, do not lead me into temptation in this life and deliver me from all misfortunes.
Eighth decade. We remember the disappearance of the twelve-year-old boy Jesus in Jerusalem and the grief of the Mother of God over this. We pray, asking Our Lady for the constant Jesus Prayer.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, Most Pure Virgin Mary, grant me the unceasing Jesus Prayer.
Ninth decade. We remember the miracle in Cana of Galilee, when the Lord turned water into wine according to the word of the Mother of God: “They have no wine.” We ask the Mother of God for help in business and deliverance from need.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, help me in all matters and deliver me from all needs and sorrow.
Ten ten. We remember the standing of the Mother of God at the Cross of the Lord, when sorrow, like a weapon, pierced Her soul. We pray to the Mother of God for strengthening of spiritual strength and for driving away despondency.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, Most Blessed Virgin Mary, strengthen my spiritual strength and drive away despondency from me.
Eleventh ten. We remember the Resurrection of Christ and prayerfully ask the Mother of God to resurrect the soul and give new vigor to feat.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, resurrect my soul and grant me constant readiness for heroic deeds.
Twelfth decade. We remember the Ascension of Christ, at which the Mother of God was present. We pray and ask the Queen of Heaven to lift up the soul from earthly vain amusements and direct it to strive for things above.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, deliver me from vain thoughts and grant me a mind and a heart striving for the salvation of the soul.
Thirteenth decade. We remember the Upper Room of Zion and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the Mother of God and pray: “Create a pure heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, send down and strengthen the grace of the Holy Spirit in my heart.
Fourteenth decade. We remember the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and ask for a peaceful and serene death.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, grant me a peaceful and serene death.
Fifteen ten. We remember the glory of the Mother of God, with which She is crowned by the Lord after Her transmigration from earth to Heaven, and we pray to the Queen of Heaven not to abandon the faithful who are on earth, but to protect them from all evil, covering them with Her Honest Omophorion.
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, save me from all evil and cover me with Your Honest Omophorion.
Will the Mother of God help?
Many skeptics argue that a prayerful appeal to a saint is nothing more than simply programming one’s thoughts and actions for certain actions. Their result will not be help from the Mother of God, but the logical result of their work. However, the holy fathers note that such a judgment is so superficial that it is not even taken into account. Help for Christians in prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary has been provided for more than 2000 years. Such a duration of miraculous phenomena and millions of grateful Christians are the best proof of the power and influence of prayer.
Reading the Theotokos at home
An Orthodox Christian does not have to constantly attend church services. You can perform home prayers. They are usually performed in the morning after waking up and before going to bed.
Homemade Mother of God - what is it? Every Orthodox Christian should have a special corner in their place of residence for turning to God. Its central place is occupied by icons (the Savior, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Fathers).
Here you can pray to the Lord. In the same corner they read the Theotokos. A burning candle or lamp installed next to icons can also serve as a symbol of faith. It is customary to turn to the Virgin Mary in prayer for yourself and your loved ones, as well as for already deceased Orthodox Christians.
And yet the Mother of God - what is it? This is a prayer that can help and provide any assistance to those who ask. Turning to the Holy Virgin Mary through the Mother of God is one of the best ways to cleanse the Christian soul.
The common end to all canons
When you pray several canons, then at the end of them, after the Trisagion and the Lord’s Prayer, the Jesus Prayer, the order is as follows: I. When you pray together the canon of the Lord and the canon of the Most Holy Theotokos: the troparion of the canon to the Lord, the troparion of the canon to the Theotokos. Glory, kontakion of the canon to the Lord. And now, the kontakion of the canon to the Mother of God. II. When you pray together the canon of the Lord and the canon of the saint (or the canon of the Theotokos and the canon of the saint): the troparion of the canon of the Lord (or the canon of the Theotokos), the troparion of the canon of the saint. Glory, kontakion of the canon to the saint. And now, the kontakion of the canon to the Lord (or the canon to the Theotokos). III. When you pray together the canon to the Lord, the canon to the Theotokos, one or more canons to the saints: the troparion of the canon to the Lord, the troparion of the canon to the Theotokos, the troparion of the canons to the saints (how many canons you pray). Kontakion of the canon to the Lord, kontakion of the canons to the saints (how many canons you pray). Glory, kontakion to the last saint. And now, kontakion to the Mother of God. IV. When you pray the canon to the Theotokos and several canons to the saints: the troparion of the canon to the Theotokos and the troparion of the canons to the saints. Kontakia of canons for saints, except for the last canon. Glory, kontakion of the last canon to the saint. And now, the kontakion of the canon to the Mother of God. V. When you pray two or more canons to the saints: troparia of all the canons to the saints, kontakia of all the canons to the saints (in a row). Glory, kontakion of the last saint. And now, the Mother of God, written after the troparion of the last canon to the saint. And then the ending is the same as when you pray one canon: Lord have mercy (40) and further to the end.
After completing the canons, the honorable man:
After completing the canon (after Katavasia on the ninth song), we sing (those who cannot sing - read) the worthy: O Lady, accept the prayer of Your servants, and deliver us from all need and sorrow. You are the Mother of God, our weapon and wall. You are the intercessor, and we resort to You, and even now we call on You for prayer, that you may deliver us from our enemies. Let us exalt You, all the immaculate Mother of Christ our God, South of autumn the Holy Spirit. (Bow to the ground). This deserving person is always sung, except for the great feasts of Christ and the Theotokos, for then instead of this deserving person the irmos of the 9th song of the canon is sung for the holiday. Then we read the Trisagion, according to Our Father. Jesus Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen. 1. When you pray the canon to the Lord (the same order applies when you pray the canon to the cross or the canon to the Mother of God), then read the troparion of the canon. (If the canon has two troparions, then read both in a row). Glory, and now, the kontakion of the canon (if the canon has two kontakia, then read both in a row). 2. When you pray the canon to a saint, read the troparion of the canon. Glory, kontakion of the canon. And now, the Mother of God, which was written after the troparion. Further, the ending is the same, regardless of who you pray to the canon and how many canons are read. Lord have mercy (40). Glory, even now. We magnify The most honorable Cherub and the most glorious Seraphim, without corruption of God the Word, who gave birth to the real Theotokos (bow to the ground). Lord have mercy (twice with bows), Lord bless (bow). And the dismissal written at the end of the canon (if you pray any canon on Sunday, then at the beginning of the dismissal two words are added: Risen from the dead.... For example: Risen from the dead, Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God...). INITIAL BOWINGS (they are also ARRIVAL BOWINGS).
Mistress, accept the prayer of Your servant, and deliver us from all need and sorrow. You are the Mother of God, our weapon and wall, You are the Intercessor, and we resort to You, We still call You to prayer, that You may deliver us from our enemies. Let us exalt you all, the Most Immaculate Mother of Christ our God, South of autumn the Holy Spirit (bow to the ground).
This deserving person is always sung, except for the great (twelfth) feasts of Christ and the Theotokos, for then, instead of this deserving person, the irmos of the 9th song of the festive canon is sung (from the day of the Feast until its giving).
Therefore: the Trisagion and Our Father; Jesus' prayer.
Decree on the tropares and kontakochs, which are spoken after the canons are completed.
If there is only one canon for the Savior, the verbs are: troparion, Glory, and now: kontakion.
Or the Cross and the Mother of God, one at a time; Say, as I am the only Savior.
Or to the Savior and the Theotokos, troparion to the Savior and the Theotokos. Glory: Kontakion to the Savior. And now: kontakion to the Mother of God. It’s the same with the Cross and the Mother of God.
If the Savior and the saint say: troparion to the Savior and the saint. Glory: kontakion to the saint. And now: Kontakion to the Savior. The same is true for the Cross (or the Mother of God), one with the saint (or with the Angels).
If the Savior (or the Cross), the Mother of God, the Angel and the Saint, say: troparion to the Savior, the Mother of God, the Angel and the Saint. The same, kontakion to the Savior, Angel, Glory: to the saint, And now: to the Mother of God.
If to the saint (or angel) one by one, say: troparion; Glory: kontakion; And now: theotokos, according to the voice of the troparion from the resurrection. (In the charter: whether in the temple of the Lord or the Mother of God, then cover the saint according to the kontakion, And now: kontakion for the temple).
Therefore: Lord, have mercy (40, with bows). Glory, even now.
Book Review
Complete collection and description: Theotokos is a prayer for the spiritual life of a believer.
