Prayer “Quick to Hear” - a request to the Mother of God

Heavenly Intercessor

In an Orthodox church, next to the icon of Christ, we always see a meek image - the face of the Most Holy Theotokos. With great trepidation and love, Orthodox Christians fall before the image of the Queen of Heaven. One of these images is the “Quick to Hear” icon. And for about ten centuries now, the prayer “Quick to Hear” has been heard from the lips of believers.

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Quick to Hear”

“This name is touching and significant! You don’t have to call on the Mother of God for long to be heard by Her... The groan of the heart quickly reaches Her, just as an earthly mother guards the groan of a sick child...” (E.N. Poselyanin).

Honored Lists

Moscow

The healing of the demon-possessed widow from Ruza, Anastasia Frolova, is associated with the Moscow list.
For 20 years she suffered from seizures, which recurred every holiday, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. She screamed and fought furiously, so that several strong men could not hold her, and everyone was horrified. The same thing happened to her during church services and when people started talking about something sacred in her presence. Her relatives advised her to visit the “Quick to Hear” icon. When she arrived in Moscow, the icon was transferred from Polyanka, from the house of the Athos courtyard to the chapel of the Great Martyr Panteleimon on Nikolskaya Street. The woman’s suffering stopped when a prayer service was served. It was November 14, 1887. In January 1889, from this image, the Moscow peasant woman Marfa Stepanovna Palkina received healing from epilepsy, accompanied by fits of demonic possession.

In the chapel of the Great Martyr Panteleimon, prayers with akathists were celebrated all year round before this, and on the eve of November 9 - a solemn all-night vigil. In honor of this icon, a temple attached to the first grenadier artillery brigade was consecrated on Khodynka Field.

Kosmodemyansky

In Kosmodemyansk, Kazan province, there was a list of the former shrine of the Trinity Kosmodemyansk women's Cheremis monastery and was located in its home church.

Nevskaya Skoroposlushnitsa

The St. Petersburg list of icons differs in iconography from the Athonite prototype, which is why it is also called “Neva Quick to Hear”.
It depicts the Mother of God without the Infant God, with her right hand outstretched in prayer. This image was painted for the St. Nicholas Church of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra under construction as a contribution from Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and his wife, Reverend Martyr Elizabeth Feodorovna. For the icon in the temple, an icon case was carved in the image of the icon case of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin in order to emphasize its special significance for St. Petersburg and all of Russia.

Very soon the image became famous for its miracles and began to be highly revered by St. Petersburg residents. He was especially revered as a saint by Emperor Nicholas II and his family.

After the closure and destruction of the temple, the miraculous icon was transferred to the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra, where it remains to this day [5].

Lyutikovsky

One day, an 18-year-old peasant from the village of Troitsky, or Korekozovo, Alexander Frolov, went to Athos and began to monk in Russika.
In 1872, he sent the priest of his native village a beautifully painted icon of the “Quick to Hear” with a bright, touching face, which he asked to put in the church, and to send him the money necessary to pay the icon painter. Since the church did not have the necessary money, Alexander asked to transfer the icon to the Trinity Lyutikov Monastery, which is half a mile from Przemysl, and to send to Russik the money that would be raised during the first three days of the icon’s stay in the monastery. On the temple holiday of the monastery, Trinity Day, the icon was brought into the monastery, and then several women from the village of Trinity received healing from it. Rumor about this attracted many surrounding people to the icon. A continuous service of prayers began, and the collection reached 150 rubles in three days, which were sent to Athos. In 1873, an 18-year-old young man, who had been subjected to terrible seizures and was brought to the monastery in chains, was healed by the icon. In the summer of the same year, there were two terrible fires in the village of Korekozovo. The monastic brethren carried the icon to the site of the fire, and when they stopped at the houses located next to those that were burning, the fire stopped.

On July 10, 1897, a girl from the village of Troitsky, who did not know how to swim, began to drown while swimming in the Oka and fell into a deep hole. While drowning, she remembered the icon of the “Quick to Hear” and with all her soul called on the Mother of God for help. The men arrived in a boat and, using an oar, pulled it out of the water.

Eleonsky

In 1938, the Athos monastery of Dokhiar brought a copy of the icon as a gift to the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem [6].

Nowadays the miraculous list is kept in the right aisle of the Church of the Ascension of the Savior of the Olivet Convent in Jerusalem [7].

Pechora

In 1992, an icon of the Mother of God of the Quick to Hear appeared in the sky above Pechora, indicating the creation of a monastery in that place. After the establishment of the monastery, at the beginning of the 2000s there was an image revered as miraculous [8].

The history of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”

The history of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” is connected with Holy Mount Athos, with the Dokhiar monastery. Here it was written presumably in the 10th century, during the reign of Saint Neophytos.

The icon revealed its miraculous power in 1664. Monk Neil, who carried out obedience in the refectory, regularly walked past the “Quick to Hear” with a lit torch. The icon hung over the entrance to the refectory, and soot from the splinter constantly fell on the face of the Mother of God.

One day the monk heard the command:

“In the future, do not come here with a lighted torch and do not smoke My image.”

Neil, deciding that this was a joke from one of the brethren, did not attach any significance to the incident. He continued to walk past the icon, smoking the Holy Image.

Then, hearing the repeated admonition, the monk became blind. After this, he and all the brethren of the monastery realized that it was the Queen of Heaven Herself speaking. In front of the image they lit an unquenchable lamp and began to perform continuous prayer. And Neil himself, in deep repentance, prayed to the Blessed Virgin for forgiveness.

The Mother of God heeded the monk’s prayerful cry. He heard a wonderful voice. The voice announced that from now on, in front of this image, believers would receive quick help and consolation. That is why the icon will be called “Quick to Hear.” After this, the monk regained his sight.

Word of the miracle spread far beyond the monastery. Many pilgrims began to flock to the miraculous image of the Mother of God. A chapel was built above the entrance to the refectory, where the icon hung. A temple was erected nearby in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear.”

To this day, the stream of believers flowing with prayer to the Intercession and Intercession of the “Quick to Hear” has not dried up.

Icon of the Mother of God called “Quick to Hear”

Icon of the Mother of God called “Quick to Hear” . Celebration of November 9 (November 22).

The prototype of the icon is located in the Dokhiar monastery on Mount Athos and, according to monastic tradition, was painted during the life of the founder of the monastery, the Monk Neophytos, in the 10th-11th centuries. By 1664, the icon was placed in a niche on the outside of the wall, in front of the entrance to the monastery refectory. Once the monastery’s refector Nile walked at night with a lighted torch past the icon so close to it that the soot from the torch fell on the holy face. He heard a voice from the icon:

“In the future, do not come here with a lighted torch and do not smoke My image.”

Neil was frightened at first, but then he explained to himself that one of the brethren had spoken to him, calmed down, and continued to walk past the icon with a lit candle and unintentionally smoke the image. Then a voice came from the image for the second time:

“Monk, unworthy of this name, how long have you been so carelessly and shamelessly smoldering My image?”

At these words the eater became blind. Only then did he understand whose words these were, and accepted the punishment as due. In the morning the brethren found him prostrate in front of the icon and learned from him about what had happened. They paid veneration to the image, lit an unquenchable lamp in front of it, and the newly chosen celebrant was instructed to burn incense in front of the icon every evening. Neil, shedding tears every day, prayed to the Mother of God for forgiveness and decided not to leave the icon until he received healing. His prayer was heard. When he was crying one day in front of the shrine, a quiet and merciful voice was heard:

“Neal, your prayer has been answered. I forgive you and give sight to your eyes again. Tell the brethren of the monastery that I am their protection and protection of the monastery dedicated to the archangels. Let them and all Orthodox Christians come to Me in need, and I will not leave anyone. I will be the Representative of all who call upon Me, and at My intercession My Son will fulfill their requests. And My icon will be called “Quick to Hear,” because I will show mercy and quick hearing to all who come to it.”

The Nile received his sight, and the rumor about everything that happened before the icon quickly spread throughout Athos, attracting many monks to worship the shrine. A special and permanent honoring of the illustrious icon was established in Dohiara. The passage to the meal, above which the icon was located, was closed, so that a kind of chapel was formed, and to the right of the icon a temple was built in honor of the image. To constantly be in front of the icon, a special monk was chosen, who was tasked with watching the lamps, performing prayers in front of the icon in the morning and evening, and observing the cleanliness of the chapel and the “Quick to Hear” temple. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the brethren serve prayers to the image at the cathedral.

Many miracles flowed from the “Quick to Hear” icon. By the grace of the icon, the blind were able to see, the lame and paralytic walked, they were saved from captivity and remained intact during a shipwreck. In Rus', copies of icons have always enjoyed great love and veneration, many became famous for their miracles - especially healings from epilepsy and demonic possession.

Canon before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Quick to Hear”

Troparion

voice 4th

Let us now fall to the Mother of God, as a father figure in troubles, and to Her holy icon, calling with faith from the depths of our souls: soon hear our prayer, O Virgin, as the One called Quick to Hear. Because Your servants have a ready Helper for your needs, the Imam.

Canon

voice 8th

Song 1

Irmos: Having passed through water like dry land, and having escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israeli cried out: Let us drink to our Deliverer and our God. Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Taking many blessings to praise Your Divine miracles, I pray to You, O Virgin, from the heart, to the Quick to Hear, grant me grace. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Who will not be amazed at Your miraculous image, O Virgin? From him, you cried out to the server of the meal three times, having been called Quick to Hear. Glory: What miracles of Thy can I perform, O Young Lady? You made the disobedient monk blind before, and again you made this, seeing. And now: Rejoice, sacred monastery of Dochiar: you are the Lord of the Representative of all and the protection, as She herself clearly erected.

Song 3

Irmos: O Supreme Creator of the heavenly circle, O Lord, and the Creator of the Church, Thou strengthenest me in Thy love, the desires of the land, the faithful affirmation, the One Lover of Mankind. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. You, Mary, showed the childless, blessed ones, and you made barren wives, Quick to Hear, rejoicing over your children. Who will not be amazed, O Virgin, at Your greatness? Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Bulgaria preaches miracles in Your image, O Quick to Hear, East and West. You have become a fountain, flowing grace to all who call on Your name. Glory: The disease of cancer disappears from the hand of an honest woman, O Virgin, by Thy visitation, the same suffering one, freed from the disease, rejoicing, a sermon of thanksgiving. And now: Your icon is wonderfully adorned, O Quick Hearer, and illuminates everyone with Your grace, O Most Pure One, more than the rays of the sun. Who will not praise You, glorified in Heaven and on earth!

Lord, have mercy (three times). Glory, and now:

Sedalen

voice 4th

We know You, the Lady of the world, Mary, the All-Singing One, for You have given birth to us all, the Creator, the Savior of the world, who also glorified You, Your Most Pure Mother, giving You grace and mercy to those who honor You and pray to You, Theotokos.

Song 4

Irmos: I heard, O Lord, Thy mystery, I understood Thy works and glorified Thy Divinity. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Your miraculous image has been glorified in all corners, and now with all their lips they pronounce the Word of the Quick to Hear. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. And in a dream, the All-Tsarina, and in reality, the Quick to Hear, appearing and performing miracles in the world, glorious. Glory: Who is your name, O Virgin, that you called upon in every need, and yet you did not hear it, as one who is quick to hear? And now: Blessed are you, the glorious monastery of Dochiar, for you have been enriched by the icon of the all-honorable Quick Hearer.

Song 5

Irmos: Enlighten us with Your commandments, O Lord, and with Your high arm grant us Your peace, O Lover of Mankind. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. How unworthy I am, I will look at Your most pure image, Quick to Hear, with my unclean hairs! Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Sea and land, O All-Tsarina, Your icons preach miracles: For these two have enjoyed Your graces. Glory: Tatya, you appear, having stolen the penalty of your neighbor, Materodevo, and you return this righteously to the possessor. And now: What shall we repay Thee, O All-Blessed One, for the great grace which Thou hast shown us, by bestowing Thy icon, sacred wealth.

Song 6

Irmos: I will pour out a prayer to the Lord and to Him I will proclaim my sorrows, for my soul is filled with evil and my stomach is approaching hell, and I pray like Jonah: from aphids, O God, lift me up. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. As if the loving Mother had appeared, You called the boy to Yourself, until You delivered You from the hand of robbers, Materodevo. But may we also find You, the loving Mother! Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Thy servants have no other imams than You, intercession and protection. Moreover, O Pure One, we cry from the heart: free Your flock and the faithful who come running to You from all troubles. Glory: Just as you saved those who called on your Divine name from the storm of the sea, so save us from sensual and mental collapse, Virgin, and guide us into the quiet haven of salvation. And now: Peace is Your refuge and salvation; Thus, O Pure One, people flock from everywhere to Your most honest icon, and everyone who listens to them soon finds You.

Lord, have mercy (three times). Glory, and now:

Kontakion

voice 8th

In the midst of everyday life we ​​are overwhelmed, we fall into the anxiety of passions and temptations. Give us, O Lady, a helping hand, like Thy Son Peter, and speed up the deliverance of us from troubles, so we call to Thee: Rejoice, All-Good One, Quick to Hear.

Ikos

Where Your grace overshadows, O Lady, there the sick are restored to health, the afflicted come to prosperity, and everyone who mourns is filled with joy. By the same grace of Thy autumn we also, the joyful blue chick, say unto Thee: Rejoice, O God-gracious, village of the Unapproachable Divinity; Rejoice, holy table, who supplies us with the bread of life; Rejoice, precious myrrh, fragrant to the faithful; Rejoice, olive tree, anointing us with the oil of mercy; Rejoice, inexhaustible treasure of gifts; Rejoice, ever-flowing source of miracles; Rejoice, intercession of the offended; Rejoice, you who are overwhelmed by a pleasant haven; Rejoice, hearing for the deaf and light for the blind; Rejoice, strengthening of the weakened; Rejoice, liberation of the captives; Rejoice, hope of all peace; Rejoice, All-merciful Quick Hearer.

Song 7

Irmos: Having come from Judea, the youths in Babylon sometimes, by the Trinity’s faith, asked the flames of the cave, singing: God of the fathers, blessed art thou. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Thou hast granted to the blind the power of combing, O Virgin, to see, but also the apple of our soul and body, to enlighten us, so that we may ever sing of Thy greatness. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. You have granted hearing to the deaf, Mary the Quick to Hear, but also open us all to the ears of soul and body, so that we may ever sing of Your greatness. Glory: Just as in ancient times you delivered those who came running to You from troubles, O Most Pure One, so deliver us from this and all harm, so that we may always sing of Your greatness. And now: Just as You corrected the weakened one before, so correct us, both weakened, through Your warm intercession, so that we may ever sing of Your greatness.

Song 8

Irmos: The Heavenly King, Whom all the Angels sing, praise and extol to all ages. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. From all diseases, O Quick Hearer, deliver us, just as you have delivered us from these many. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Your icon, O Virgin, has appeared as a source of miracles, from which those who thirst are abundantly supplied. Glory: You reveal the lost, O Lady, and give joy to those who have found them. How many are the graces of Your image! And now: All the elements obey Your command, O Lady, and deliver those who call upon You from harm.

Song 9

Irmos: Truly the Mother of God, we confess Thee, saved by Thee, Pure Virgin, with the Bodiless faces magnifying Thee. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Gather diligently to the Divine Abode of the Archangels, those who are sick: for the Physician dwells in it free of charge. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Another sacred icon of Yours appeared, the Pool of Siloam, the Virgin, cleansing and healing illnesses of the soul and body. Glory: The zeal to behold Your image, the grace-filled beauty, inflames me, and the imam does not exalt You! And now: May I see Thee, O All-Blessed Quick to Hear, who at the time of death comforts me and drives away the ghosts of demons!

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “Quick to Hear”

Kontakion 1

To the Mother of God and Queen, chosen from all generations, who quickly obediently listens to the prayers of the humble, and pours out healing currents to the faithful from Her holy icon, we offer thanksgiving singing. You, all-merciful Intercessor, bow down graciously to our voice of praise, and free us from all troubles, calling to You: Rejoice, all-merciful Quick-to-hear, fulfilling our petitions for good.

Ikos 1

The faces of the angels reverently serve You, and all the Heavenly Powers with silent voices please You, Virgin Mary, as if she gave birth to the Angels of the King Christ God, but we are sinners, we imitate them boldly and worthy of praising You in bewilderment, humbly crying out to You: Rejoice, village of the impregnable Divinity; Rejoice, angelic unceasing surprise. Rejoice, holy table, feeding us with the bread of life; Rejoice, fruitful olive tree, anointing our hearts with the oil of mercy. Rejoice, inexhaustible treasury of God's gifts of grace; Rejoice, ever-flowing river of miracles. Rejoice, intercessor of the offended; Rejoice, comforter of the sad. Rejoice, helper of the needy; Rejoice, healer of the sick. Rejoice, strengthener of the weakened; Rejoice, liberator of the captives. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 2

Seeing Your innumerable mercy, O Lady, and the many miracles You have revealed and revealed through Your holy icons, in whose image You have adorned the entire Christian world like God-bright stars, we magnify You, who has magnified our race with Your favor, and with love we worship Your most pure image, calling to Thy Son Christ God: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Opening the heavenly mind, O Theotokos, You deigned in Your earthly lot, Holy Mount Athos, to glorify Your icon with many miracles, even as You yourself called the Quick to Hear with the Divine voice that came from her, and all who know Your good will for her cry out to You in song: Rejoice, merciful all of us about Christ Mother; Rejoice, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, manifestation of God's love for man; Rejoice, rise of the human race. Rejoice, bright chamber of God the Word; Rejoice, great holy of holies. Rejoice, thou who gave birth to the Divine Lamb; Rejoice, thou who hast increased for us the Class of the belly. Rejoice, all-golden Brashna of the indestructible; Rejoice, Nourisher of the Nourisher of the universe. Rejoice, for through Your intercession we hope to be saved; Rejoice, for through Your prayers you will receive the heavenly inheritance through tea. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 3

By the power of God, who walked irreverently before Thy holy icon of the Dochiar monastery of the refectory of the Nile, You punished with blindness and weakening of the body, Virgin Mother of God, and the rest does not dare to insult You in Your most pure image, which You have graciously granted as a pledge of Your favor to all Athos. Her venerable voices cry out to the Word God born of You: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having great love for people redeemed by the Blood of Your Son and God, the All-Blessed Lady, You mercifully accepted the repentance of the table of the Nile and You granted healing to him from blindness and weakness, so that You may continually serve You and bring You unceasing prayers before Your multi-healing icon, crying out to Your face: Rejoice , Joachim and Anna's holy vegetation; Rejoice, you who gave birth to the One who crushed the head of the ancient serpent. Rejoice, Most Blessed among Women; Rejoice, thou who gave birth to the incorruptible Savior of our souls. Rejoice, you who wonderfully combined virginity and Christmas; Rejoice, having preserved both yourselves immaculately. Rejoice, great miracle of the whole universe; Rejoice, wonder of all earthly generations. Rejoice, correction of those who sin; Rejoice, affirmation of those who repent of virtue. Rejoice, unforgettable punisher; Rejoice, merciful understander. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 4

Those who have escaped the storms of life, and have flown to the quiet haven of salvation on Mount Athos, find here grace-filled consolation and Divine help from Thy holy icon, O Theotokos, from whom Thy rays of miracles are emitted, and the currents of Thy mercy are poured out endlessly. Moreover, all who want to reap salvation in the deserts of Athos, magnifying the Mother of Thy generosity, sing gratefully to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing the Divine voice from Thy holy icon, O Lady, the refectory of the Nile recognized Thee, the Quick Hearer, to be all who flow with faith and love to Thy miraculous image, and having received from it admonition to one’s ignorance and insight to one’s blinded eyes, cry out to Thee in gratitude from the heart: Rejoice, temporary punishment making the ignorant wise; Rejoice, you who graciously accept the repentance of sinners. Rejoice, guide on the path of correcting the erring; Rejoice, thou who graciously heals the wounds of sin. Rejoice, lovingly reproaching those who are obstinate in their negligence; Rejoice, thou who deliverest the sorrow of bodily suffering from eternal torment. Rejoice, thou who calmest the turmoil of passions; Rejoice, extending Your helping hand to the perishing. Rejoice, hopeless hope; Rejoice, consolation to those who mourn. Rejoice, robe of the naked; Rejoice, charity of the orphans. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 5

The monks of the Dochiarsky monastery, having heard Your divine words, have built a temple for You, the Divine Quick to Hear, at the table, where Your miraculous icon abides, the Most Pure Virgin, and all the faithful are comforted by the banners of Your mercy, and do not deprive us, humble in our duty, of praising You and crying miracles. To the Creator God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Having seen the currents of miracles flowing from the holy icon of Thy Quick Hearer, all the foreigners of Mount Athos flocked to her to worship. But You, Mother of God, You unsparingly bestowed upon everyone, according to their needs, the gifts of Your mercy from Your miraculous image, striving to cry out to You in gratitude:

Rejoice, Mother of mercy and generosity; Rejoice, animated one at the Throne of the Almighty. Rejoice, thou who lentest flesh to the Son of God; Rejoice, devil of seedless disgrace. Rejoice, Thou who embodied the Bodiless One; Rejoice, thou who united God with man. Rejoice, all-desirable vision of the saints; Rejoice, divine joy for fasters. Rejoice, quiet joy of the desert dwellers; Rejoice, strong hope of monks. Rejoice, conqueror of the demonic army; Rejoice, shaming enemies of human salvation. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 6

Mount Athos preaches Your mercy and miracles, Most Blessed Mother of our Lord, and brightly flaunts many of Your miraculous icons, in the midst of which Your icon, Quick to Hear by You, like the full moon, shines unwaveringly with the rays of miracles, enlightening our souls with the light of God’s grace, and striving us laudably cry to the Triune God who glorified You: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Thou hast shone in Thy most pure icon, Mary Theotokos, the light of salvation for all who wander in the darkness of sins and passions, and Thou hast called this the Quick to Hear, who pray before her with faith and reverence from the soul, giving Thy ambulance to those crying out. Thou art as follows: Rejoice, lightning, souls enlightening; Rejoice, thunder, tempting and frightening one. Rejoice, sweet refuge of those weary of the troubles of the sea of ​​life; Rejoice, calm haven of passions overwhelmed by waves. Rejoice, teacher of chastity to young people; Rejoice, protection and protection of virginity. Rejoice, softening the hardness of the heart; Rejoice, thou who graciously warms the coldness of the soul. Rejoice, instructing the faithful on the path of salvation; Rejoice, you who remove those who stumble from the paths of destruction. Rejoice, our supporter to Your Son and God; Rejoice, ever beseeching Him for mercy on us sinners. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 7

Desiring to show everyone Your great love for the Christian race, the Most Blessed Mother of God, You chose Mount Athos as Your earthly lot, and in it You multiplied the monastic settlements, so that all who are overwhelmed by worldly vanity will be able to find here a quiet and comfortable refuge for salvation and be helped by You, They will be worthy of the heavenly inheritance and sing with the saints to the Most Holy Trinity: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

You showed a new sign of Your mercy, Lady, in the miraculous glorification of Your holy icon, Quick to Hear, not only by the monks of Mount Athos, but also by all Orthodox Christians, in whom this image of Your icon is reverently honored, and everyone calls You: Rejoice, our Mother God; Rejoice, in Christmas and after Christmas, Virgin. Rejoice, for you are blessed by all; Rejoice, for the Mighty One has done great things to You. Rejoice, for the Lord has respected Your humility; Rejoice, for the King of kings desired Your kindness. Rejoice, blessed daughter of the Heavenly Father; Rejoice, unskilled Mother of the Eternal Son. Rejoice, immaculate friend of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, mystery of divine grace. Rejoice, decoration of the heavenly world; Rejoice, intercession of the world below. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 8

We are strangers and strangers on earth and, according to the words of the Apostle, are not the imams of the city that resides here, but to whom shall we resort, O Lady, in the sorrows of our journey, if not to You, O All-Good One? Do not reject us, Mother of God, do not say to us: “We do not know your sins for your sake!” - but have mercy on us, orphans and helpless, and accept us into eternal shelter, our patroness, so that we may joyfully cry out in the glory of heaven to the King of glory, Christ : Hallelujah.

Ikos 8

It is a comfort to all the faithful to look at Thy holy icon, Lady, in which we see Thee, in Thy hand holding the Eternal Child of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is worshiped divinely as the Creator and our God, to You, the true Mother of God, we tenderly say: Rejoice, gladdened by the Archangel Annunciation Prisnodevo; Rejoice, unbridled Bride. Rejoice, Mother of the intelligent Light, enlightening all souls; Rejoice, throne animated by heaven and earth of the Creator. Rejoice, gentle dove; Rejoice, immaculate lamb. Rejoice, cup that draws joy; Rejoice, inexhaustible vessel of animal water. Rejoice, peacemaker of the fragrance of Christ; Rejoice, even the stench of our passions will be driven away. Rejoice, having known the Son of God; Rejoice, for we have learned to worship the Triune God. Rejoice, All-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our petitions for good.

Kontakion 9

All generations bless Thee according to their duty, blessed Mary Theotokos, from the east to the west Thy name is praised, but the monks call Thee their patroness, especially those who strive in Thy lot Mount Athos, whom Thou hast overshadowed with Thy special favor, performing many miracles in her, and those who are rich in Thy mercies are shown by her inhabitants, so that they may cry out to God with gratitude for Thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The superstitious branches are perplexed to know the mystery of Your ever-virginity, Mother of God, below they can explain the miraculous power that flows from Your icons for the healing of the sick, and for all mental and physical benefit to man. We Orthodoxy and undoubtedly confess Thee as the Ever-Virgin, faithfully worship Thy holy icon, and cry out to Thee: Rejoice, doubtful hearing of the unbelievers; Rejoice, well-known praise of the faithful. Rejoice, you who gave birth to Christ incorruptibly from a pure side; Rejoice, thou who didst not harm the keys of virginity in Thy Nativity. Rejoice, Mother and Most Blessed Virgin; Rejoice, most glorified Mother of God. Rejoice, virgin majesty; Rejoice, mothers everlasting joy. Rejoice, only one immaculate and kind among women; Rejoice, thou who gave birth to the promised Crusher of the head of the serpent. Rejoice, you who delivered the fallen ancestors of the ancient condemnation; Rejoice, Eden, closed by man, opened by Thy Nativity. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 10

Arranging the salvation of the people named after Christ, You deigned, O Mother of God, to designate Your earthly lot, Mount Athos, as a monk for the population, and You advertised in a vision to the first desert dweller of Athos, the Venerable Peter, that this mountain would be a monk in his dwelling, comforting him with good promises, as if You would be a helper and the patroness of all who labor in it in a godly manner, providing them with the gifts they need, and saving them from all troubles, so that they may sing to God without restraint: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You are the wall of intercession, O Virgin, Orthodox monk, and all ascetics of virginity and purity. In the same way, You have made Your earthly lot, Mount Athos, inaccessible to women, so that foreigners may dwell in it without the temptation of sin, placing their only hope of salvation in You according to God, and calling to You: Rejoice, unfading flower of virginity; Rejoice, village of purity. Rejoice, luminous heavenly hay, overshadowing the zealots of purity; Rejoice, switch of the wisdom of God, making wise the guardians of chastity. Rejoice, monk who labors as an intercessor for salvation; Rejoice, protection and protection of the desert dwellers of Mount Athos. Rejoice, you who pour out gracious joy into God-loving hearts; Rejoice, you who give spiritual consolation to distressed souls. Rejoice, nurse of virgins and motherless orphans; Rejoice, thou who delightest the virgin face with the love of the immortal Bridegroom. Rejoice, strong helper in the difficult struggle with the attacks of the carnal passions; Rejoice, vigilant guardian of monastic monasteries. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 11

Our humble singing, offered to You out of the fullness of love and zeal, do not despise, O Pure One, and do not turn away from us, defiled by many sins, but help us, O All-Blessed One, to be cleansed from the filth of sin by repentance, and to succeed in a pure and God-pleasing life, Your heroic hero and helper in this matter, so that we may worthily and righteously cry out to the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

With the bright rays of miracles, Your holy icon shines unwaveringly, O Virgin Mother of God, and gracefully illuminates the whole world, driving away every enemy action by the power of God emanating from Her; We, sinners, rejoice in the same way, having such a guarantee of Your favor towards us, and to You, who is quick to listen to our prayers, we gratefully cry out: Rejoice, day of the unsetting sun; Rejoice, dawn of the day without evening. Rejoice, thou who hast dawned upon us the morning of salvation; Rejoice, thou who gave birth to the immortal Bridegroom of human souls. Rejoice, fulfiller of our godly desires; Rejoice, thou who graciously hastened our aid in sorrows and circumstances. Rejoice, mental paradise, filled with all spiritual consolation; Rejoice, from Your fulfillment you shed drops of consolation for us too. Rejoice, cooling the heat of our passions; Rejoice, grace-filled dispassion to those who seek it, diligently giving it. Rejoice, you who dearly love all who live in purity of chastity; Rejoice, you who visit God’s chosen ones in dreams and visions. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 12

The grace of God inherent in Your holy icon, the Quick-to-Hear One named by You, the Lady of God, draws to Her all those who mourn and are burdened, and they do not in vain depart from this source of Your mercies and bounties: in sorrows there is joy, in adversity protection, in illnesses they endlessly receive healing from Your miraculous image, O All-Good One, and they cry out in gratitude to the Giver of good things, God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing Your miracles, O Lady, and Your great mercy to the Christian race, we know that we are not content with worthy glorification of You, most honorable Cherub and most glorious without comparison Seraphim, both hoping for Your unconditional mercy, O All-Good One, we humbly offer You these songs: Rejoice, a calm haven for devotees of piety; Rejoice, sweet silent interlocutor. Rejoice, blessed joy for those who wander in the deserts and mountains; Rejoice, secret admonition to the hidden servants of God in the midst of the world. Rejoice, reconciliation of sinners who repent with God; Rejoice, Mount Athos, supreme ruler. Rejoice, you who illuminated the desert-loving Peter here with your visit; Rejoice, Athanasia, who has been blessed here by Your divine appearance. Rejoice, thou who glorified many saints of Athos with heavenly glory; Rejoice, you who sow your special love to the inhabitant of the mountain. Rejoice, free healer of our bodies; Rejoice, guide of our souls to the kingdom on high. Rejoice, all-merciful One who is quick to hear, who fulfills our requests for good.

Kontakion 13

O All-Singing Mother, Quick to Hear, named in Your holy icon, Theotokos Mary! Mercifully accept this little prayer of ours, brought to You out of our zeal with faith and love, and beg the ever-worshipped Trinity to deliver us from fiery hell, unlighted darkness and eternal torment, so that through Your intercession we will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, and we may be worthy to sing to God with the saints: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Prayer

Most blessed Lady, Ever-Virgin Mother of God, who gave birth to God of the Word more than any word for our salvation, and received His grace more abundantly than all others, a sea of ​​divine gifts and miracles, an ever-flowing river, pouring out goodness to all who come running to You with faith! To Your miraculous image, we pray to You, the all-generous Mother of the humane-loving Lord: surprise us with Your rich mercies, and speed up the fulfillment of our petitions brought to You, Quick to Hear, all that are arranged for the benefit of consolation and salvation for everyone. Visit, O Blessing Thy servants, with Thy grace, grant to those who are ill, healing and perfect health, to those overwhelmed by silence, to those in captivity, freedom and various images of the afflicted to console, deliver, O all-merciful Lady, every city and country from famine, plague, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and other temporal and eternal punishments, by Your maternal boldness turning away the wrath of God; and spiritual relaxation, overwhelm by passions and falls, free Thy servant, for so that without stumbling in all piety we have lived in this world, and in the future of eternal blessings we will be made worthy of the grace and love for mankind of Thy Son and God, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father and the Most Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to the “Quick to Hear”: what needs does it help with?

The icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” is one of the most revered in Rus'. Evidence of this is the large number of lists of this image located throughout Russia. Before each of them, Christians offer their prayers for the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Traditionally, She is asked for a speedy resolution of difficult life situations. Sincere prayer to the “Quick to Hear” Mother of God helps to cope with confusion and bewilderment.

Also, in front of this image of the Queen of Heaven, they pray to the mother. They ask for a safe birth, long-term breastfeeding, and the health of their children. It is known that through prayers before the “Quick to Hear”, believers received healing from many illnesses. The blind received their sight, the lame began to walk, the paralytic received health.

At the same time, it is important to remember the instructions of Priest Andrei Chizhenko:

“The prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos should not be turned into some kind of pseudo-church paganism.

“Like, if we pray in front of the “Unburnt Bush” icon, then there will be no fire. And if it’s in front of Kazanskaya, then it may well be. Because they prayed in front of the wrong icon.”

This is the wrong approach. The main thing is that the prayer is sincere and performed with understanding, to whom and why we are praying. It is important that it comes from a pure heart, like a child’s call to its Mother. And the Heavenly Mother will not hesitate to help Her child in trouble.”

Miracles through prayers before the image of the “Quick to Hear”

The ambulance to the rescue “Quick to Hear” never ceases to answer the sincere prayers of believers. And today there is many evidence of the miraculous help of the Queen of Heaven.

Thus, in December 2016, in the Dokhiar monastery on Mount Athos, where the prototype of the “Quick to Hear” icon is located, a young man was healed of stuttering. The young man specially came to the Holy Mountain to venerate the holy image of the Blessed Virgin. The young man, who had been unable to speak clearly since birth, after praying at the icon, thanked everyone for their prayers.

In the Spassky Convent in Kobrin (Belarus), the main shrine is the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear.” Here is a chronicle of miracles that occurred through prayers before the holy image. For example, in November 2013, 70-year-old Alexander was healed from rectal cancer. According to his daughter-in-law, the whole family was already preparing for the burial of a loved one. The prayer to the “Quick to Hear” performed a miracle: contrary to all the doctors’ predictions, Alexander fully recovered.

And Inna from the city of Kobrin tells how a fervent prayer to the “Quick to Hear” gave her a completely healthy child in 2016. Doctors, citing medical indicators, persuaded Inna to have an artificial termination of pregnancy. Having signed a refusal to have an abortion, the girl entrusted everything into the hands of the Most Pure Virgin and was heard.

“The Mother of God never leaves us, she carries us on Her shoulders. The main thing is that we ourselves want this and do not kick our legs like disobedient children” (Reverend Paisius the Svyatogorets).

What do believers pray for?

The miraculous image of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” helps if people turn to her for help:

1. Mothers. Women pray for a safe delivery, continued breastfeeding, so that the baby is born and grows healthy and does not experience problems with the outside world in the future.
2. Unmarried girls. Prayer to the Mother of God gives hope of meeting a person worthy of marriage.
3. Sick people with diseases of the central nervous system, eye diseases that cause vision loss.
4. People with weakened faith in God, who have lost their purpose in life and hope for a better outcome.

They pray to the miraculous icon when the health and lives of people are threatened by natural or man-made disasters.

Prayer as a part of life

An Orthodox person cannot live without prayer. She, like a faithful friend, accompanies a Christian in all his affairs. Like an accurate compass, it sets the direction for all his endeavors.

“Prayer is the only help that helps cleanse the mind, and without it we cannot live spiritually” (Athos Elder Joseph the Hesychast).

When praying to the Mother of God, a person asks for Her holy intercession before the Lord. She, as a faithful Intercessor, prays for all humanity at the Divine Throne of Her Most Pure Son. 2000 years ago, Christ performed the first miracle at the request of the Virgin Mary at a wedding feast in Canna of Galilee. So to this day, through Her fervent prayers, the Lord fulfills our petitions.

“The Mother of God transfers all our requests to Christ. But She herself, through Her care and tenderness, fills our souls with love for Christ” (Reverend Paisius the Holy Mountain).

However, one should not think that prayer is a magic elixir that helps with all ailments. By itself, neither the prayer to the “Quick to Hear,” nor the image of the Savior, nor any other miraculous image will bring fulfillment of desires. Just as a car with no gasoline in its gas tank becomes a useless pile of metal, so simply reading the words of a prayer, without sincere feelings and contrition of the heart, is an empty shock of air.

Prayer should not turn into a ritual, the performance of which ensures well-being. Prayer is not a formal reading of a certain combination of words. This is the soul's need to communicate with its Creator.

The steps of the ladder along which prayer rises to God are our ardent faith, deep humility, sincere repentance for our sins, acts of mercy and love for our neighbors.

“Behind the doors remain (they do not reach God, they are not heard by Him) those prayers that, ascending to God, do not have love in themselves, because love alone opens the doors to prayer” (Efrem the Syrian).

Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the “Quick to Hear” icon

Troparion of the Mother of God before Her Icon “Quick to Hear”

To the Mother of God, as a companion in troubles,/ and to Her holy icon, let us now fall,/ calling with faith from the depths of the soul:/ soon hear our prayer, O Virgin,/ like the Swift One The one who has been named,/ Your servants are in need for You// a ready Helper of the Imam.

Kontakion of the Mother of God before Her icon “Quick to Hear”

In the sea of ​​life we ​​are overwhelmed,/ we fall into the anxiety of passions and temptations./ Give us, O Lady, a helping hand, like Thy Son Petrov,/ and hasten to deliver us from troubles, let us call Thee: Rejoice , all-merciful Quick Hearer.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before the icon of Her “Quick to Hear”

Blessed Lady, Ever-Virgin Mother of God, Who gave birth to the God of the Word more than any word for our salvation, and His grace received more abundantly than all others, appearing as a sea of ​​Divine gifts and miracles at a flowing river, pouring out goodness to all who come running to You with faith! In honor of Your miraculous image, we pray to You, the all-generous Mother of the Humane-loving Lord: surprise us with Your rich mercy, and hasten our petitions, brought to You, Quick to Hear complete everything, even for the benefit of consolation and salvation for someone.

Visit, O Blessing Thy servants, by Thy grace, grant to the sick healing and perfect health, to those overwhelmed by silence, to those captivated by freedom and various images of the suffering, consolation, deliver, to all freeing the Lady from every city and country from famine, plague, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and other punishments, temporary and eternal, by Your maternity boldness turning away the wrath of God: and from spiritual relaxation, overwhelm of passions and falls of sin, the freedom of Your servant, for let her without stumbling in all good things having lived in this world, and in the future eternal blessings, let us be made worthy of the grace and love for mankind of Your Son and God, Him All glory, honor and worship is due to His Eternal Father and the Most Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Second prayer

Oh, Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord Most High, Quick to Hear the Intercessor of all who come running to You with faith! Look down from the heights of Your heavenly greatness on me, unneeded, falling to Your icon, hear the humble prayer of the less sinful one and bring it to Your Son: beg Him May He illuminate my gloomy soul with the light of His Divine grace and cleanse my mind from vain thoughts and calm my suffering heart and heal its wounds, may it enlighten me to do good deeds and strengthen me to work for Him with fear, may He forgive all the evil I have done, may He deliver eternal torment and not deprive me of His Heavenly Kingdom.

O Most Blessed Mother of God: You have deigned to be called Quick to Hear in Your image, commanding everyone to come to You with faith: do not despise me who is sorrowful and do not allow me to perish in the abyss of sin in mine. In You, according to God, all my trust and hope of salvation, and I entrust myself to Your protection and intercession forever. Amen.

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Meaning and description of the “Quick to Hear” icon

Quick to Hear has special meaning for believers who are in trouble and need quick help. The icon of the Mother of God received its name for the fulfillment of desires and requests in a short period. It was noticed that if you sincerely ask the Mother of God, turning to her ancient image, then the prayer will be heard the first time and the answer will come immediately. If you are worried about a seriously ill person, a small child, a drug addict or alcoholic who does not remember himself, then it is enough for his relatives to unite in their prayers so that those who are unable to pray on their own will get rid of the illness.

The icon “Quick to Hear” is made in the style of Hodegetria, characteristic of the Byzantine school of icon painting. The Virgin Mary in a red cloak holds the Divine Infant in her arms. The baby's right hand is raised for blessing with two fingers. On the left is a scroll with good news. The mother points to her child, demonstrating that he is the Savior.

The image has its own distinctive features. Generational image of the Mother of God. Most of the icons of the Virgin Mary with her son are painted half-length; less often they are found in full height. The peculiarity of “Quick to Hear” is the leg of Jesus visible from under the robe, with the heel turned towards the audience.