Among the numerous images of the Mother of God, the icon “The Unbrided Bride” is considered one of the rarest. It is dedicated to the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel announced to the pious Virgin Mary that she would give birth to a Child who would become the Savior, and that she would give birth while remaining a virgin.
It is difficult for us, modern people, to understand what situation an unmarried girl who gave birth to an illegitimate child would have found herself in in those days. Both her name and the name of her family would be covered with indelible shame. But Mary, following the will of the Lord, humbly accepted this news. Then, as the Gospels tell, they found Her a husband - the pious Joseph, with whom She maintained a chaste relationship. However, at the moment of the Annunciation, Mary did not know this, but, nevertheless, she showed submission to God's will.
Description of the icon
The more complete name of this icon is “Rejoice, unmarried bride , although sometimes you can find another name – “Tenderness.” The image of the Virgin Mary here captivates not only with its external charm, but also with its depth. Her whole posture expresses submission to the Will of God, her eyes are humbly lowered, her crossed arms are pressed to her chest, as if She seeks to preserve within herself the Good News brought by the archangel. Her entire image is permeated with humility, which is considered one of the main virtues, but there is no joy on Her face, because she already knows that the miraculously born Son will be sacrificed for human sins.
Original text and lyrics of the song Hail, Unbrideless Bride:
Rejoice, Unbrided Bride!
Mary, Pure Virgin, Most Holy Theotokos, Rejoice, Unbrideless Bride!
To the Queen, Mother of the Virgin, Fleece that covers everyone, Rejoice, Unbrideless Bride!
Exceeding the Heavenly Powers, uncreated radiance, Rejoice, Unbrided Bride!
Faces of maiden Joy and Angels Exalted, Rejoice, Unbrided Bride!
Heaven's Honest Power and Light, more than all lights, Rejoice, Unbride-less Bride!
Most honorable Lady of all the Heavenly Hosts, Rejoice, Unbrideless Bride!
All forefathers of Hope, prophets Fulfillment, Rejoice, Bride Unbrided!
In your ascetic struggles you are a help to the Icon of God the Word, Rejoice, Unbrided Bride!
And rejoicing to the virgins, and joy to the mothers, Rejoice, Unbrideless Bride!
Chastity to the Mentor, Purification of our souls, Rejoice, Unbridled Bride!
Cover of the broad clouds, and the refuge of the suffering, Rejoice, Unbrideless Bride!
Cover of the weak and Intercessor, Hope of the unreliable, Rejoice, Unbrided Bride!
Mary, Mother of Christ, the True God, Rejoice, Unbrided Bride!
Aaron's Rod, vegetated, Vessel of quiet joy, Rejoice, Unbrided Bride!
Consolation to all orphans and widows, help in troubles and sorrows, Rejoice, Unmarried Bride!
Sacred and Immaculate Lady, All-Singing, Rejoice, Unbridled Bride!
Incline towards me the mercy of the Divine Son, Rejoice, Unbrided Bride!
Intercessor of salvation, falling down, I cry to You: Rejoice, Unbrided Bride!
From the history of icons
The icon “Rejoice, non-bridal bride” (“Tenderness”) was presented to St. Seraphim of Sarov by Emperor Nicholas I. It was painted on canvas and then attached to a cypress board. This icon became one of the reverend elder’s favorites, although he had several images of the Mother of God. He called her “The Joy of All Joys.”
As those who knew the elder closely said, throughout his life he was under the protection and blessing of the Mother of God, who appeared to him in a dream. The oil from the lamp, which constantly burned in front of the icon, had healing properties, and St. Seraphim used it to heal those who turned to him for help. At his hour of death, Seraphim of Sarov prayed before this icon and peacefully passed away into the Kingdom of Heaven.
At one time St. Seraphim of Sarov founded a convent in Diveevo, which was under the patronage of the elder throughout his life. After his death, the icon was handed over to the novices, and she began to be considered the Supreme Abbess of the monastery. In 1902, Emperor Nicholas II donated a silver lamp to the monastery, which constantly burned in front of the icon. For the glorification of St. The Seraphim of Sarov icon was carried at the head of the religious procession from Diveevo to Sarov.
Currently, the miraculous image is in the church in honor of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, in the chambers of the Patriarch of All Rus'.
How does the icon “Rejoice, unbridled bride” help?
The “Unbrided Bride” icon is traditionally considered feminine; it protects girls and women, helps them preserve the best feminine qualities, such as good character, purity and chastity in girls. The meaning of the icon lies precisely in this help, which we so often need.
Most often they pray to the icon:
- about overcoming problems associated with adolescence;
- about conceiving a healthy child and a successful birth;
- about a successful marriage for your daughter and a happy married life;
- about healing from illnesses;
- about getting rid of bad thoughts, finding peace and harmony.
Currently, embroidering icons with threads or beads is becoming increasingly popular. This is much more than just a hobby for handicrafts. By embroidering an icon, a woman purifies her soul and thoughts, and finds inner harmony. Embroidery of icons brings particular benefits to women who have remained infertile for a long time. In the process of embroidery, peace descends on their soul, and often the end of the work coincides with the beginning of pregnancy.
Holiday 1 and 10 August, 22 December.
Icon Bride Unbrided
The words of the name of the icon sound completely like this: “Rejoice, Unbrideless Bride!” - and represent a repeated line of the Akathist to the Mother of God, a hymn of praise created in Byzantium around the 5th-7th centuries. This is the first akathist, which gave rise to the religious, poetic, prayer tradition of akathists, which are now written for almost every icon of the Mother of God and every saint. The Akathist “Rejoice, Unbrided Bride” is a masterpiece of literature and theology. It is the most famous among others and the only one of all the akathists that is included in the liturgical charter: it is read by the entire Church on Saturday Akathist of Great Lent, which also has the name “Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos.”
The name “akathist” means “a song performed while standing,” that is, especially solemn. It is divided into kontakia - small prayer texts - and ikos, where the greeting “Rejoice” (in Greek “haire” in Greek, how the Greeks greeted each other) is repeated twelve times, ending with “Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.” Such words refer to the greeting on the day of the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Most Pure Virgin: “Rejoice, Full of Grace! The Lord is with You."
The image of the “Unbrided Bride” is an image of the Mother of God on the day when Archangel Gabriel, at the command of God the Father, appeared to Her to announce the Good News - that it was She, a pure and chaste girl, who would conceive from the action of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God, the Messiah, Who will save humanity from the power of sin. On the icon, the Blessed Virgin is depicted as the Archangel saw Her, who spoke about Her purpose: with her hands folded prayerfully on her chest, her gaze downcast. The image was painted in the 18th century and resembles the Ostrobramskaya icon, but the Mother of God on it is more modest, does not have a crown, as well as stars and a crescent around it.
This is a gentle earthly girl, modest and humble, but with a strong will: on the day of the Annunciation, having learned from the Heavenly Messenger about the imminent conception, She began to ask him questions in order to clarify the will of God and find out how She should behave. The Virgin Mary wondered whether it was possible to conceive a child without a husband. The angel explained that the power of God, the grace of the Holy Spirit, would overshadow Her. It is important that the Archangel announces to Her the will of God as God’s request, and the Virgin Mary must agree to Her giving birth to the Son of God.
This is how the New Testament is born - a new union of God and man. The Lord never forces us to do His will. Even what will be for the good of us and many other people, we must agree to do - just as the Virgin Mary accepted her life’s path as the suffering Mother of the Lord with trust in God’s providence and humility.
The Most Holy Theotokos became the bride of God, but remained innocent - “non-bride,” that is, a virgin, although she gave birth to the Infant Christ.
The human mind cannot understand this. However, let us remember the numerous miracles of God of all centuries: the calming of the elements, the turning of numerous troops to flight... The image of the “Unbrided Bride” teaches us humility before the will of God, helps us to listen to our heart and the voice of God in it. Loyalty to the Lord and obedience to Him, fulfilling God’s commandments is the main joy, pacifying the heart and filling it with peace.
In the prayers read on the Feast of the Annunciation, during the lessons of obedience to the Most Pure Virgin, the sin of Eve, who disobeyed the Heavenly Father in Paradise, tasted the forbidden fruit of the knowledge of good and evil - and allowed evil into the history of the human race - is remembered and contrasted with her humility.
Prayer before the icon “Rejoice, unmarried bride”
O Most Holy Virgin Theotokos, Mother of Christ the King and our God, source of tenderness and mercy, giver of soul-saving gifts and gracious consoler of grieving souls! We fall to You with love and before Your holy icon we pray: pray, Lady, Your beloved Son Christ our God to have mercy and save us who are perishing in sins, breathe into our souls sincere repentance and God-pleasing tenderness. With cleansing tears, wash us from the filth of sin and reveal the servants of Christ pure and blameless. Mercifully, O Lady, grant us all that is beneficial to our temporary and eternal life. Peace the world, kindly preserve this holy monastery, send down serenity and abundance of earthly fruits upon us, and at the end of our lives do not deprive us of Your Motherly intercession and help, so that through Your intercession we will safely pass through the ordeals of the air and be worthy to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. To her, the all-merciful Queen, all the joys of joy and the consolation of the whole Christian world, help us now and then, when we most especially require Your holy help, and save us with Your Motherly prayers to Christ God, to Whom, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, all glory, honor and worship are due now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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Russian Orthodox akathist to the Mother of God Hail, Unbrided Bride
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Unlike most akathists, which appeared mainly in the 19th-20th centuries, the akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, Hail, Unbrideless Bride, is one of the most ancient. According to legend, this is the first canonical akathist accepted in the Orthodox Church for execution during worship, and this writing is associated with the miraculous cases of the liberation of Constantinople from an enemy siege. Thanks to such a historical connection, researchers were able to accurately determine the time of writing of the Mother of God akathist The Unbrided Bride - it was born in the 9th century.
Akathist Hail, Unbrided Bride: Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos
The event, thanks to which the akathist to the Unbrided Bride was read for the first time, occurred in 860. We are talking about the siege of Constantinople by the troops of the Persians and Scythians. Residents of the doomed city prayed all night in the Blachernae Church, asking the Most Pure Virgin to save them from mortal danger, and a miracle happened - that same night a storm arose at sea, destroying most of the enemy ships. The surviving soldiers retreated, and the believing population of Constantinople spent the rest of the night in the temple, where the Christian akathist to the Mother of God, Hail, Unbridled Bride, was first heard.
Following the Saturday akathist Hail, Unbrided One
As history testifies, in honor of the miraculous liberation, it was decided to read the akathist “The Unbrided Bride” annually. At first it was a holiday of local significance, celebrated in the Blachernae Church - the place where the Robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary was kept, but with the spread of Christianity it was included in the liturgical books of all local churches.
Today the akathist to the Mother of God the Bride is sung on the fifth Saturday of Great Lent. The expression “Unmarried Bride” denotes the wonderful essence of Mary, who, being a married Woman, retained the purity of the Virgin.
Listen to the video of the akathist to the Mother of God, the Unbrided Bride
Read the Orthodox text of the akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos: Rejoice, Unbrided Bride
Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having been delivered from the evil ones, let us sing thanksgiving to Thy servants, the Mother of God; but as if you have an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call to You: Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Ikos 1
A representative angel from heaven was sent quickly saying to the Mother of God: Rejoice, and with an incorporeal voice you were incarnated in vain, Lord, terrified and standing, calling to Her like this: Rejoice, whose joy will shine forth; Rejoice, Her oath will disappear. Rejoice, proclamation to fallen Adam; Rejoice, deliverance of the tears of Eve. Rejoice, height beyond the reach of human thoughts; Rejoice, depths beyond comprehension and angelic eyes. Rejoice, for you are the King's seat; Rejoice, for you bear Him who bears all. Rejoice, Star that reveals the Sun; Rejoice, womb of the Divine Incarnation. Rejoice, even the creation is being renewed; Rejoice, we worship the Creator. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the Holy One in purity, he says to Gabriel boldly: the glorious voice of yours is inconvenient to my soul: the birth of the seedless conception is like saying, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The misunderstood mind is understood by the Virgin, seeking, cry out to the servant: from a pure side, how can a Son be born powerfully, O Lord? He spoke to Neizha with fear, both calling to her: Rejoice, ineffable counsel to the Mystery; Rejoice, silence of those who ask for faith. Rejoice, the beginning of the miracles of Christ; Rejoice, His commandments are supreme. Rejoice, heavenly ladder, from which God descended; Rejoice, bridge, lead those who are from earth to heaven. Rejoice, prolix miracle of angels; Rejoice, much-lamentable defeat of demons. Rejoice, who gave birth to the Light inexpressibly; Rejoice, you who have taught not a single person. Rejoice, thou who surpassest the understanding of the wise; Rejoice, illuminating meanings for the faithful. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High autumn is then for the conception of the Braconial, and the fertile Toya is false, like a sweet village, to all who want to reap salvation, always sing to your heart: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having the womb of the God-pleasing Virgin, she rose up to Elizabeth: and the baby aby knew this kiss, rejoiced, and played like songs and cried out to the Mother of God: Rejoice, branches of unfading roses; Rejoice, acquisition of immortal fruit. Rejoice, O worker who makes the lover of mankind; Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Gardener of our life. Rejoice, O field, growing the bounty of bounty; Rejoice, table, bearing abundance of purification. Rejoice, for you are flourishing as a food paradise; Rejoice, for you are preparing a haven for souls. Rejoice, pleasant censer of prayer; Rejoice, purification of the whole world. Rejoice, God's favor towards mortals; Rejoice, mortals have boldness towards God. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 4
Having a storm inside with doubtful thoughts, the chaste Joseph was confused, to You in vain, unmarried, and thinking about the stolen marriage, Immaculate; Having taken away Your conception from the Holy Spirit, he said: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the shepherd angels singing the carnal coming of Christ, and as they flowed to the Shepherd they saw Him like a blameless lamb, fallen in Mary’s womb, and singing: Rejoice, Lamb and Shepherd of the Mother; Rejoice, courtyard of verbal sheep. Rejoice, torment of invisible enemies; Rejoice, the doors of heaven are opening. Rejoice, as those in heaven rejoice in those on earth; Rejoice, for the earthly things rejoice in heavenly things. Rejoice, silent lips of the apostles; Rejoice, invincible boldness of the passion-bearers. Rejoice, firm affirmation of faith; Rejoice, bright knowledge of grace. Rejoice, even hell has been laid bare; Rejoice, You are clothed with Her glory. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 5
Having seen the divine star, it followed the dawn, and like a lamp holding it, I tested the mighty King, and having reached the Incomprehensible One, rejoicing, crying out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing the youths of Chaldeystia at the hand of the Maiden Who created with the hands of men, and the Master who understands Him, even if the slave has accepted the form, they strived to serve Him freely, and cry out to the Blessed One: Rejoice, Mother of the never-setting Stars; Rejoice, dawn of the mysterious day. Rejoice, thou who has extinguished the delights of the furnace; Rejoice, enlightening the mysteries of the Trinity. Rejoice, thou who destroyest the inhuman tormentor from the authorities; Rejoice, you who showed Christ the Lord the Lover of Mankind. Rejoice, deliverer of barbaric service; Rejoice, timenia that takes away matters. Rejoice, you who extinguished the fire of worship; Rejoice, thou who changest the flame of passions. Rejoice, faithful teacher of chastity; Rejoice, joy of all kinds. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 6
The preachers of God-bearing, formerly wolves, returned to Babylon, having finished Your prophecy, and preaching Your Christ to everyone, leaving Herod as if she were unspoken, unable to sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Having shone forth in Egypt the enlightenment of truth, Thou didst drive away the darkness of lies: for his idols, O Savior, did not tolerate Thy fortress, falling, and those who were delivered cried out to the Mother of God: Rejoice, correction of men; Rejoice, fall of demons. Rejoice, thou who hast corrected the charms of the empire; Rejoice, you who have exposed idolatry flattery. Rejoice, sea that drowned the mental Pharaoh; Rejoice, stone, who gave water to those thirsty for life. Rejoice, pillar of fire, guide those who are in darkness; Rejoice, cover of the world, covering the clouds. Rejoice, receiver of food and manna; Rejoice, holy sweets to the servant. Rejoice, land of promise; Rejoice, honey and milk flow from nothing. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 7
I want Simeon from this present age to pass away from the charming one; you were like a child to him, but you also became known to him as a perfect God. I was also amazed at Your ineffable wisdom, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
A new creation has appeared, the Creator has appeared to us from Him, from the seedless vegetative womb, and having preserved You, as if incorruptible, and having seen a miracle, let us sing You, crying out: Rejoice, flower of incorruption; Rejoice, crown of abstinence. Rejoice, thou who shinest the image of the resurrection; Rejoice, you who reveal the life of angels. Rejoice, bright-fruitful tree, from which the vernias feed; Rejoice, blessed-leaved tree, with which many trees are covered. Rejoice, you who bear in your womb the Deliverer to the captives; Rejoice, you who gave birth to a Guide to the lost. Rejoice, Judge of the righteous supplication; Rejoice, forgiveness of many sins. Rejoice, clothing of the naked of boldness; Rejoice, beloved, conqueror of every desire. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 8
Having seen a strange Christmas, let us withdraw from the world, turning our minds to heaven: for this, for the sake of the high God, a humble man appeared on earth, although he would attract to the heights of Him crying: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All in all, in the lower and higher, the indescribable Word departed in no way: the descent was divine, not a local passing, and the Nativity from the Virgin of God, hearing this: Rejoice, God is the inconceivable container; Rejoice, honest sacrament of the door. Rejoice, doubtful hearing of the unbelievers; Rejoice, well-known praise of the faithful. Rejoice, O holy chariot of Jehovah upon Cherubim; Rejoice, glorious village of Existence on Seraphimech. Rejoice, you who gathered the opposite in the same way; Rejoice, you who combined virginity and Christmas. Rejoice, for the crime was resolved; Rejoice, heaven has already opened. Rejoice, key of the Kingdom of Christ; Rejoice, hope of eternal blessings. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 9
Every angelic nature was amazed at the great work of Your incarnation; unapproachable as God, a Man who is visible to all, abides for us, hearing from everyone: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The prophets of many things, like dumb fish, see about You, Mother of God, they are perplexed to say that the Virgin also abides, and was able to give birth. We, marveling at the mystery, truly cry out: Rejoice, friend of the wisdom of God, Rejoice, treasure of His providences. Rejoice, you who reveal the wise to the unwise; Rejoice, thou who accusest the cunning of the wordless. Rejoice, for you have conquered the lute seeker; Rejoice, for the creators of fables have faded away. Rejoice, tearer of the Athenian weaving; Rejoice, fulfiller of fishermen's waters. Rejoice, you who draw forth from the depths of ignorance; Rejoice, you who enlighten many in their understanding. Rejoice, ship of those who want to be saved; Rejoice, haven of worldly voyages. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 10
To save the world, Who is the Decorator of all, has come to this self-promise, and this Shepherd, like God, has appeared for us for our sake: having called upon like like, as if God hears: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall to the virgins, O Virgin Mother of God, and to all who come running to Thee: for the Creator of heaven and earth made Thee, O Most Pure One, dwell in Thy womb, and teach all to invite Thee: Rejoice, pillar of virginity; Rejoice, door of salvation. Rejoice, director of the mental creation; Rejoice, giver of Divine goodness. Rejoice, for you have renewed those who were conceived in cold; Rejoice, for you have punished those who were stolen by their minds. Rejoice, thou who exercisest the cultivator of meanings; Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Sower of Purity. Rejoice, devil of seedless disgrace; Rejoice, you who united the faithful of the Lord. Rejoice, good nurse of young virgins; Rejoice, bride-blesser of the souls of the saints. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 11
All singing is conquered, striving to meet the multitude of Thy bounties: songs equal to the sand of the sand that we bring to Thee, the Holy King, do nothing worthy of what Thou hast given to us, crying out to Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
The light-receiving candle, which appears to those in the darkness, we see the Holy Virgin, the immaterial one who burns fire, instructs all to the Divine mind, enlightening the mind at dawn, revered by the title, with these: Rejoice, ray of the intelligent Sun; Rejoice, shining light of the never-setting Light. Rejoice, lightning, enlightening souls; Rejoice, for the thunder is terrifying to enemies. Rejoice, for you have shone with many lights of enlightenment; Rejoice, for you are a multi-flowing river. Rejoice, image-painting font; Rejoice, you who take away sinful filth. Rejoice, bath that washes the conscience; Rejoice, cup that draws joy. Rejoice, smelling the fragrance of Christ; Rejoice, belly of secret joy. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 12
The grace of repaying the desires of the ancient debts, of all debts, the Solver of man, who came with Himself to those who departed from His grace, and dismantled the handwriting, hears from everyone: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your Nativity, we all praise You, like an animated temple, the Mother of God: for in Your womb, uphold everything with the hand of the Lord, sanctify, glorify and teach everyone to cry out to You: Rejoice, village of God and the Word; Rejoice, great holy of holies. Rejoice, ark, gilded by the Spirit; Rejoice, inexhaustible treasure of the belly. Rejoice, honest one, crowned with pious people; Rejoice, honest praise of the reverent priests. Rejoice, unshakable pillar of the Church; Rejoice, unbreakable wall of the Kingdom. Rejoice, victories will arise from her; Rejoice, from where enemies fall. Rejoice, healing of my body; Rejoice, salvation of my soul. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 13
Oh, All-Singing Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word! Having accepted this present offering, deliver everyone from all misfortune, and remove future torment from those who cry out for You: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
/This Kontakion is read three times, then Ikos 1st and Kontakion 1st/
Read the Christian prayer to the Mother of God
Oh, Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos, you are the highest Angel and Archangel of all, and the most honorable of all creatures, you are the helper of the offended, the hopeless hope, the poor intercessor, the sad consolation, the hungry nurse, the naked robe, the healing of the sick, the salvation of sinners, the help and intercession of all Christians. Oh, All-Merciful Lady, Virgin Mother of God and Lady, by Your mercy save and have mercy on the most holy Orthodox patriarchs, the most Reverend metropolitans, archbishops and bishops and the entire priestly and monastic rank, and all Orthodox Christians through the robe of Your honest protection; and pray, Lady, from You, without seed, Christ our God, incarnate, may gird us with His power from above, against our invisible and visible enemies. Oh, All-Merciful Lady Lady Theotokos! Raise us from the depths of sin and deliver us from famine, destruction, from cowardice and flood, from fire and sword, from the presence of foreigners and internecine warfare, and from vain death, and from the attacks of the enemy, and from corrupting winds, and from deadly plagues, and from all evil. Grant, O Lady, peace and health to Thy servant, all Orthodox Christians, and enlighten their minds and the eyes of their hearts, leading to salvation; and have made us worthy, Thy sinful servants, of the Kingdom of Thy Son, Christ our God; for His power is blessed and glorified, with His Originless Father, and with His Most Holy, and Good, and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Orthodox text of the prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Oh, Most Holy Virgin Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our soul, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image. We are immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother of all who mourn and are burdened. Help us the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives to spend in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death, and at the Last Judgment of Your Son the merciful Intercessor will appear to us, and always We sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.
