Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos
Ode 1 (Tone 6)
Irmos: Treading over the floor of the sea as over dry land, and seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drown, Israel cried out: Let us sing to God a song of victory.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Beset by many temptations, I run to you, seeking salvation. Save me from burdens and evils, O Virgin Mother of the Word.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The increase of passions troubles me, filling my soul with great despondency. Still it, O Maiden, with the stillness of your Son and God, O All-Undefiled One.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I pray you, O Virgin who bore our Savior and God, deliver me from terrors. I run to you now, laying before you my soul and my thoughts.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O only Mother of God, grant me, who am afflicted in body and soul, divine visitation and your own concern, for you are good and gave birth to the Good One.
Ode 3
Irmos: None is holy as Thou, O Lord my God. Thou hast raised the strength of Thy faithful, O Good One, and made us stand firmly on the rock of Thy confession.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I hold you as the Intercessor and Protection of my life, O Virgin Birth-Giver of God. Pilot me to your haven, O Cause of good things, O only all-hymned Support of the faithful.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I pray, O Virgin: dispel the storm of my sorrows and spiritual turmoil. You are the Bride of God who bore the Origin of stillness and alone are most pure.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Pour a wealth of generosity for all, O you who bore the Benefactor, the Cause of all good. You can do anything, for God has blessed you, the Bearer of Christ Who is mighty in strength.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Help me, O Virgin, for I am cruelly tried by severe illness and painful afflictions. I know, Ever-Undefiled One, that you are an inexhaustible and generous treasury of healings.
Ode 4
Irmos: “Christ is my strength, my God and my Lord”—the sacred Church reverently sings with a mighty voice, rejoicing in the Lord.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Bride of God, who bore the Lord Pilot, still the tumult of my passions and the storm of my transgressions.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Grant me the abyss of your kindness, upon which I call, O you who gave birth to the Compassionate One, the Savior of those who hymn you.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Enjoying your gifts, O Pure One, we sing a hymn of thanksgiving to you whom we know to be the Mother of God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As you love good, O Theotokos, the only ever-Virgin, help me as I lie on my bed of illness and infirmity.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We are delivered from every difficulty, O All-Hymned One, for we have you as our hope, our confirmation, and immovable wall.
Ode 5
Irmos: I pray Thee, O Good One: Enlighten with Thy Divine Light the souls which look to Thee from early dawn, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, as the True God Who calls them out from the darkness of sin.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Fill my heart with joy, O Pure One who bore the Cause of Joy, by giving us your incorruptible joy.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Deliver us from harm, Pure Theotokos who bore the Eternal Redemption and the Peace which passes all understanding.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Lessen the gloom of my transgressions with the enlightenment of your brightness, O Bride of God who bore the divine and eternal Light.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Heal the infirmity of my soul by granting me your visitation, O Pure One, and grant me wholeness by your prayers.
Ode 6
Irmos: Beholding the Sea of Life raging with the storm of temptations, I have fled to Thy calm haven and cry to Thee: Deliver my life from destruction, O Most-merciful One.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
My nature was captive of death and corruption, O Virgin, but your Son and Lord saved it from both by surrendering Himself to death. Pray to Him for my deliverance from the evil deeds of my enemies.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I know that you are the Intercessor of my life, O Virgin, my firm Protectress, healing the rebellions of temptations and dispelling the wiles of demons. I pray constantly that you will deliver me from my destructive passions.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We have obtained you, O Maiden, as a wall of refuge and a most thorough salvation of souls. The multitude of human sorrows is not too great for you, and we ever rejoice in your illumination. Save us now, O Lady, from passions and misfortunes.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I am lying on a bed of infirmity and there is no cure for my flesh. But I pray to you, the Good One who bore the God and Savior of the world: raise me from the destruction of illnesses.
Kontakion, Tone 6
Steadfast protectress of Christians, constant advocate before the Creator: do not despise the cry of us sinners, but in your goodness come speedily to help us who call on you in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.
Ode 7
Irmos: The Angel made the furnace a source of dew for the pious youths, and the Will of God, which burned the Chaldeans, made the persecutor call out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Desiring to establish our salvation, O Savior, Thou didst enter the Virgin’s womb, showing her as the Intercessor for the world. Blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Pray to Him Who is mercifully disposed and Whom you bore, O Pure Mother, that we may be delivered from transgressions and defilement of soul, who cry out with faith: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou didst show her who gave birth to Thee as a source of healing, a strong pillar, and a gate of repentance for those who cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Grant healing from physical weakness and spiritual infirmities to those who draw near to your Protection with love, O Virgin Birthgiver of God, who bore Christ the Savior for us.
Ode 8
Irmos: Thou didst cause dew to pour from the flames over the pious youths, and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water—for Thou doest all things, O Christ, by Thy Will alone. We exalt Thee throughout all ages.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin, do not disdain those who need your help, hymning and exalting you forever.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
You heal the infirmities of my soul and the illnesses of my body, O Virgin, that I may glorify you, O Pure One, forever.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
You pour an abundance of healing, O Virgin, on those who hymn you with faith and exalt your inexpressible birth-giving.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
You chase away the wiles of temptation and the onsets of passions, O Virgin. We therefore hymn you forever.
Ode 9
Irmos: No man can see God, upon Whom the Angelic ranks dare not gaze. But through you, O Pure One, the Incarnate Word was revealed to mankind. Magnifying Him with the heavenly hosts, we call you blessed.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin who bore Christ and wipes away every tear from every face: turn not away from my flowing tears.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin who received the fullness of joy which destroyed the sorrow of sin: fill my heart with joy.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Be a haven and intercession, an indestructible wall, a refuge, protection and rejoicing for those who run to you, O Virgin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Enlighten with the rays of your light those who in the True Faith confess you to be the Theotokos, O Virgin, dispelling the darkness of ignorance.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Heal me, O Virgin, as I lie humbled on the place of misfortune, bringing me from illness to health.