Share in the adventures!
This is the last post for the 15 Days for Panagia series! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the series; did you enjoy it? was it too long? not long enough? Are there other topics you’d like to cover? This was the first time I’ve done this on Adventures of an Orthodox Mom and am curious to hear your opinions. Please leave comments and let me know! [Read more...]
That which took place when the Theotokos surrendered her soul to the Lord is absolutely amazing. I wish that I could relate all of it to you but it is quite long so you will have to order the book that I have taken most of the information used in the 15 Days for Panagia posts to read it.
We’ll continue at the point when the Lord took her soul into his hands…
St. Kosmas describes the scene in this manner. The angelic powers were amazed as they looked in Sion upon their own Master, bearing in his hands the soul of a woman: for as befitted a Son, He said to her who without spot had borne Him, “Come, honored among women, and be glorified together with they Son and God.”
The apostles surrounded her bed weeping and the face of the Theotokos shone like the sun and a splendid and sweet perfume emitted from her most pure body. They venerated her and were sanctified from contact with it.
In the midst of these events, they began the solemn procession to inter her most honorable body. The Apostles bore her bier aloft on their shoulders; towards the head were St. John the Theologian who carried the branch from Paradise which shone brightly, and St. Peter next to him and St. James and St. Paul on the opposite them. The other Apostles and hierarchs were chanting while the rest of the faithful, with lights and censers, walked close by surrounding the bed.
All sang funeral prayers. Then at the command of the Saviour, the pre-eminent Apostle Peter began chanting one of the Psalms of David (Psalm 113), together with the rest of the Apostles. The procession conveyed the sacred body of the Theotokos from Sion through Jerusalem to Gethsemane. Hovering over the bier and accompanying the procession there appeared a circular cloud reminiscent of a crown which shone with a bright radiance. In the hearing of all, there resounded ceaseless angelic singing from out of the could that filled the air.
Many of the Jews who did not believe in Christ, on hearing the unusual chanting and witnessing the triumphant procession, left their homes and joined the multitude. They too, went along, and followed the procession out of the city, astonished at the glory and honor that was given to the most honorable body of the Theotokos. When the chief priests and scribes learned of this, they burned with the heaviest hatred and began to reason frivolously. Indeed, they would become inflamed at anything that reminded them of Christ. They stirred up many of the people and sent temple servants and soldiers to overtake the procession and disperse it. They also ordered them to slay the disciples of Christ and to burn the body of Mary, for they claimed that the nation of Jews was ruined by this woman.
Then satan entered and incited the mob. They began to arm themselves as for battle and furiously hastened to overtake the procession. Then the cloud that was hovering above descended and surrounded the procession so that only the voices and chanting could be heard but no one could see behind the wall of the cloud. Then the holy angels, invisibly hovering over the sacred relics and the Christians, struck the malicious persecutors with blindness. Being struck with blindness they began striking their heads on the walls and then struck one another.
At that time, a Jewish priest named Athonios (some texts give his name as Jephonias) was out on the road. When the cloud had lifted he beheld the multitude of Christians who, with lights, were chanting around the bier of the Mother of Jesus. No tongue of clay could adequately describe the joyful procession. But Athonios was filled with envy and had a storm of evil thoughts. Then with great malice in his heart, he blurted out, “Look what honor surrounds the body of her who bore the imposter Who destroyed the law of our fathers!”
Being a strong man by nature, he rushed with mad fury through the crowd of Christians and, running up towards the bier, he attempted to cast the Virgin’s body to the ground. When the audacious hands of the priest barely touched the bier, an invisible angel at once struck them off at the elbows with the immaterial sword of divine vengeance. Thus Athonosios‘ hands clung fast to the bed, while he collapsed to the ground wailing, “Woe is me!” The Jews that beheld this sight of their priest, then cried out, “Verily, He that was brought forth by thee is the true God, O Mother of God, Ever-Virgin Mary.”
Acknowledging his sin, Athonios repented and turned to the holy Apostles and said, “Have mercy on me, servants of Christ!” The Apostle Peter then ordered the procession to stop. He then said to Athonios, “Now thou hast received thy just fruits. Know that ‘the Lord is the God of vengeance; the God of vengeance hath spoken openly’ [Psalm 93:1], and, thus, we cannot heal thee of thy wounds. Only our Lord Himself can do this, Whom you had unjustly rose against, seized and killed. Even He will not bestow healing upon thee till thou wilt believe in Him with all thy heart and confess with thy mouth that Jesus is the true Messiah, the Son of God.”
Then Athonios cried aloud, “I believe that He is the Saviour of the world foretold by the prophets–He is the Christ. From the very first we saw that He was the Son of God but, being darkened by malicious envy, we did not acknowledge the greatness of God openly, but delivered Him to death, though he was guiltless. But by the power of His divinity He rose on the third day, putting us all to shame. We attempted to conceal His resurrection by bribing the soldiers, but we could do nothing, as the glory of the Resurrection was manifest and spread abroad.”
When Athonios uttered this confession and repented of his sin, the holy Apostles rejoiced with the joy of the angels over a penitent sinner. The holy Apostle Peter then ordered Athonios to put the wounds of his severed arms to the limbs still hanging on the bier. He then told him to call upon the most holy Mother of God with faith. He did as he was instructed and, at once, the severed arms were joined at the mark where they had been severed; only a red line remained about his elbows for the remainder of his life.
He then fell before the bier and worshipped Christ God who was born of the Virgin Mary. He began to recite prophesies from scripture that testified both to the Virgin Mary and to Christ. All were amazed and he joined the procession. Many of the other Jews who had been struck with blindness also acknowledged their sin and penitently approached the honorable bier. When the Apostles touched their faces with the heavenly palm branch they regained their bodily sight together with the eyes of their soul.
When they finally reached the garden of Gethsemane, they laid the Theotokos‘ pure body in the tomb. They were laid with the greatest honor, while chanting and weeping took place. When the Apostles stepped before her bier to bid her farewell, each according to the Holy Spirit, they uttered psalms of triumph and thanksgiving and chanted prayers.
The Theotokos Speaks a Parable
Our Lady, the Theotokos, then spoke to them saying,
“My beloved children, hearken to my brief words and small instruction for this I wish and seek. My children, do you see this world? It is a festival. God is as a king, and you, His servants, are the merchants of my beloved Son. Now listen to this parable: There was a great and powerful king who had two servants. The kind then heard that there was a great fair where there would be very many goods and products that would bring great gain. Therefore, the king summoned these two servants and said, ‘Make great haste to go into this country where the festival is being held and, for one month, do business. If any of you delay, he will lose his life!’ Straightway, the two servants took money and went to the fair. However, one of them was senseless and foolish; he purchased items that were useless to the kind, such as houses, shops and fields. All these things the kind had no need of, nor would they bring him any gain. Moreover, the undiscerning servant delayed in returning because it took time to sow the fields, and to refurbish and complete these shops and houses, because they were in disarray. Thus it took him about three to four months to return to the king. Now the other servant was prudent and purchased precious stones, and returned punctually to the king.
The same situation is also before you, O Apostles of my Son. My beloved Son has sent you as merchants into the world of deceived mankind, to win thse souls who will hearken to His name. Whichever of you, O my friends and children, is a friend of thy Teacher and my Son, He will honor in His kingdom. Those that will not obey the commands of the Teacher, he knows what he will suffer. On account of this, my beloved children, go and preach. Enlighten and guide those of the world that are led astray, and gain them and direct them to the Kingdom of my Son.
Always have love and peace among you, and rejoice and be glad for great will be your reward in the Kindom of the heavens. And, though, my friends I go to the Kingdom of my Son and God, I am ever with you, and I will strengthen and comfort you in your afflictions.”
We read in various accounts how Christ hastened to grant the requests of His mother. In His first miracle in Cana, the Virgin asked Christ to, “show that Thou canst do all things, Thou Who has in wisdom created all things.” And Christ replied, “Woman (My Lady), what is it to Me and thee?” (John 2:4)
First I want to point out that the term “woman” is inaccurate. The Greek word that was used is Gynai which in those days translated to a term usually reserved for royalty meaning madame or my lady. So contrary to explanations used in many non-Orthodox circles, Christ was in no way disrespecting or degrading His own mother (which doesn’t make sense to me anyway and I don’t see how someone can believe He would do such a thing. But that’s a whole ‘nother post. 
)
Near the end of Theotokos’ life she prayed for three things:
The Theotokos’ lived in the house of St. John the Theologian ever since the Crucifixion when Christ appointed St. John to be her caretaker. It is written that he never left her side except for short periods of time. St. Mary Magdalene also lived with them. The apostles would seek counsel from her often and she offered words of comfort to them and thus they had a very close relationship with her.
As usual Christ did not let His mother’s prayers go unanswered and three days before she was to depart this life, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her while she was praying on the Mount of Olives. He told her, “Thy Son and our God, with the Angels, Archangels, Cherubim and Seraphim, and all the heavenly spirits and the souls of the righteous will receive thee, His Mother, into the heavenly Kingdom that thou mayest live and reign with Him forever.”
Tradition has is that this occured on a Friday. The Archangel then told her the hour of her death and as a sign of all this he gave her a date palm branch from Paradise, which shone with the light of heavenly grace. It signified that bodily death would not have power over her. She would merely fall asleep for a short time and, then, as if waking from sleep, would rise and shake off death like sleep from the eyes. The Archangel told her that the branch was to be carried before the bier of her most honorable and pure body.”
The Theotokos hastened quickly to her home where she gave the news of her impending departure to the rest of the household which included, St. Mary Magdalene, Sepphora, Abigail and Jael, who began to mourn their orphanhood. But she consoled them promising to interceded for them and all the world. She then ordered that her bed and room should be decorated and incense and and many lamps as possible be lit in it. She then changed her clothes and basically made all necessary preparations for her burial.
While the Theotokos was making all of these arrangements, all of a sudden a noise was heard, similar to a clap of thunder. A cloud then encircled the home of St. John the Theologian. By the command of God, angels had seized the apostles that were scattered to the ends of the world and brought them on clouds to Jerusalem. All, save the Apostle Thomas, were then placed on Sion before the door of the house where the Theotokos dwelt.
Upon seeing one another, the holy Apostles rejoiced, but at the same time they wondered, saying, “Why has the Lord gathered us together in this place?” St. John then informed them of the speedy departure of the most holy Mother of God. Then the holy Apostles understood that the Lord had gathered them from to be present at the blessed end of His immaculate Mother, and for the honorable burial of her body. Nevertheless, her departure from among them brought intense sorrow to their hearts.
The Apostles then greeted her with these words, “Blessed art thou of the Lord Who made Heaven and Earth!” She then responded, “Peace to you, brethren, chosen by the Lord Himself.”
They told her of all that occured, that Peter came from Rome, Mark from Alexandria, Matthew on a boat, and where the others were carried from. Paul fell at her feet, praising and blessing her and saying, “Rejoice, Mother of my life and my preaching! Gazing on thee now, I think that I see thy Son.” Already the divine Paul’s close disciples had arrived, that is, St. Dionysios the Areopagite, St. Hierotheos, Apostle Timothey and other godly-wise hierarchs. Also present were the rest of the Seventy Apostles.
The Theotokos then called each apostle by name to herself to bid them farewell and she praised their faith and labors in the preaching of Jesus Christ. After much lamenting, she said to them, “Watch and pray with me, that when the Lord comes to receive my soul, He may find you watching. Then all promised and prayed the whole night with psalms and chants.” *This occurs at the death of monastics to this day.
Then the Apostle John said, “My Lady Mother of God and my Mother, they beloved Son had left thee as a consolation; and now thou shalt leave us? In all the world what will we humble apostles have as our consolation? Who will teach us and who will guide us? What else shall we have on earth to encourage us if thou should leave us?”
This, too, caused the Theotokos to weep, and she promised to be a ready help and intercessor for them and all who call upon her name with faith. She also promised that if the Lord willed, they would see her after her departure.
* This service is chanted every day during the Fast of the Dormition (1st 14 days of August) and also in times of distress or sorrow.
The reader: Amen.
The priest or reader: Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who is everywhere present and fills all things, O Treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
The priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
If there is no priest, then: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
The reader: Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.
God is the Lord, and has revealed Himself to us; blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon His holy Name.
All the nations have surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord, I overcome them.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
Troparia (Fourth Tone)
O You Who was lifted up
To the Theotokos, let us run now most earnestly, we sinners all and wretched ones, and fall prostrate in repentance, calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, come and help us. Have compassion upon us; hasten, for we are lost in a throng of transgressions; do not turn your servants away with empty hands, for you alone are our only hope.
To the Theotokos, let us run now most earnestly, we sinners all and wretched ones, and fall prostrate in repentance, calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, come and help us. Have compassion upon us; hasten, for we are lost in a throng of transgressions; do not turn your servants away with empty hands, for you alone are our only hope.
O Theotokos, we shall not cease from speaking of all your mighty acts, all we the unworthy ones; for if you had not stood to intercede for us, who would have delivered us from such numerous dangers? Who would have preserved us all until now in true freedom? O Lady, we shall not turn away from you; for you always save your servants from all manner of grief.
Traversing the water as on dry land, and thereby escaping from the toils of Egypt’s land, the Israelites cried aloud, proclaiming: to our God and Redeemer let us now sing.
By many temptations am I distressed; in search of salvation, unto you have I taken flight; O Mother of the Word, Ever-virgin, from all ordeals and afflictions deliver me.
Still the attacks of the passions that disquiet me and overfill my soul with despondency, O Maiden, with the calmness of your own Son and your God, O all-blessed one.
To Christ God, the Saviour, you gave birth; I beg you, O Virgin, from afflictions deliver me; for now to you I flee for refuge, bringing to you both my soul and my reasoning.
Diseased are my body and my soul; make me worthy of your divine guidance and care, O you who alone are God’s Mother, for you are good and the Birthgiver of the Good.
The vault of the heavens is You, O Lord, Fashioner; and the Holy Church’s great founder; likewise establish me in unfeigned love for You, for You are the height of things sought for, the support of the faithful and the only Friend of all.
I have you as the shelter and the defence of my life, you, the Theotokos and Virgin; pilot and govern me into your sheltered port, for you are author of good things and support of the faithful, O you the only all-praised one.
I entreat you, O Virgin, disperse from me all of the distress of despair and turbulence in my soul; for you, O Bride of God, have given birth to the Lord Christ, Who is Prince of peace, O only all-blameless one.
Since you have brought forth Him Who is our Benefactor, the cause of good, from the wealth of your loving-kindness pour forth upon us all; for you can do all things, since you carried Christ, the One Who is mighty in power; for you are blessed of God.
With most grievous diseases and with corrupt passions too, I am put to trial, O Virgin; come to my aid; for I know you to be an inexhaustible treasure of unfailing healing, O only all-blameless one.
Preserve and save, O Theotokos, your servants from every danger; after God do all of us for refuge flee unto you; you are a firm rampart and our protection.
With your good will, look on me, O all-hymned Theotokos; and behold my grievous illnesses, and heal the cause of my soul’s sorrow.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our Bishop (Name), and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious and Orthodox Christians who dwell and sojourn in this city, the parishioners and benefactors of this holy temple, and all that serve, chant, labour and gather herein; and for the servants of God (Names), and for the forgiveness of their every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary.
For a merciful and man-befriending God You are, and unto You do we send up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
The choir: Amen.
Second Tone.
Seeking things on high
O fervent advocate, invincible battlement, fountain of mercy, and sheltering retreat for the world, earnestly we cry to you: Lady Theotokos quickly save us from all imperilment; for you alone art our speedy protectress.
I have heard, O Lord, of the wondrous mystery of Your salvation; and I have contemplated Your works, and I have glorified Your Divinity.
Calm the tempest of all my sins, and still the raging of passions with your great peacefulness; for it was you who bore the guiding Lord, and you who are the blessed Bride of God.
O grant, out of the endless depth of your great compassion, on me your supplication; for you brought forth One compassionate Who is Saviour of all who sing hymns to you.
While delighting, O spotless one, in your many favours, a hymn of thankfulness do we all raise up in song to you, knowing you to be the Theotokos.
Having you as our support and hope, and as our salvation’s unshaken protection, from all manner of adversity are we then redeemed, O all-praised one.
Lord, enlighten us by Your precepts and by Your commands; and with Your arm most powerful grant us Your peace, O You Who are the Friend of all.
Pure one, greatly fill my heart with rejoicing; and grant me your undefiled happiness, since you gave birth to Him Who is the cause of joy.
Come, deliver us out of dangers, O pure Theotokos, since you are mother of deliverance, and of the peace which surpasses all human reasoning.
Dissipate the gloom of my trespasses, O Bride of God, with the clear brightness of Your radiance; for you carried the Light divine which was before all time.
Heal me, O pure one, of the sickness, which the passions bring, and make me worthy of your guiding care, and by your prayers and intercessions grant health to me.
My petition, I pour out to the Lord, and to Him do I proclaim all my sorrows, for many woes fill my heart to its limits, and unto Hades my whole life has now approached; like Jonas I pray to You: Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God.
My nature, held by corruption and by death, has He saved from out of death and corruption, for unto death He Himself surrendered. For which reason, O Virgin, intercede with Him Who is in truth your Lord and Son to redeem me from the enemies’ wickedness.
I know you as the protection of my life and most safe fortification, O Virgin; disperse the multitude of my many temptations, and put to silence demonic audacity; unceasingly I pray to you: deliver me from corruption of passions.
We have you as a wall of refuge, and our soul’s perfect salvation; you are an aid, in affliction, O Maiden; and in your light do we exult with joy. O Lady, deliver us from all passions and perils.
Bedridden, I now lie on my back with sickness, and no healing for my flesh is existent except for you, who carried the world’s Saviour, our God, the Healer of every infirmity; I pray to you, for you are good: raise me from the corruption of illnesses.
Preserve and save, O Theotokos, your servants from every danger; after God do all of us for refuge flee to you; you are a firm rampart and our protection.
O spotless one, who inexpressibly in the last days with a word brought forth the Word; request of Him, as one who has motherly boldness.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our Bishop (Name), and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious and Orthodox Christians who dwell and sojourn in this city, the parishioners and benefactors of this holy temple, and all that serve, chant, labour and gather herein; and for the servants of God (Names), and for the forgiveness of their every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary.
For You are a merciful and man-befriending God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
The choir: Amen.
O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, you are the most constant mediation to the Creator. O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come to our aid, who in faith cry to you: Hasten to intercession, and speed to make supplication, you who always protects, O Theotokos, them that honour you.
From my youth do many passions war against me; but You, Who are my Saviour, assist and save me. (2)
The Lord shall shame you haters of Zion; for, like grass, the fire shall wither you. (2)
In the Holy Spirit every soul is quickened, and through cleansing is exalted and made radiant by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.
By the Holy Spirit, the streams of grace gush forth, watering all creation for the begetting of life.
I shall commemorate your name in every generation and generation. (2)
Listen, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear; and forget your own people, and your father’s house; and the King shall greatly desire your beauty.
The priest: And that we may be deemed worthy to hear the holy Gospel, let us beseech the Lord our God.
The priest: Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be with all.
The choir: And to your spirit.
The priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke.
The choir: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
The priest: Let us attend.
The choir: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
O Father, Word, and Spirit, the Trinity in Unity: blot out the multitude of my offences.
Theotokion
By the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of my offences.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassions blot out my transgression.
Plagal (Second Tone).
Having placed their every hope
O entrust me not, I pray, to any human protection, O our Lady, holy one, but accept the prayer of your supplicant. Sorrow has overpowered me, and I am unable to endure and bear the demons’ darts; a shelter have I not, neither a place to run, I, the wretched one; embattled from all sides am I, and you are my only consolation. Mistress of creation, protection and hope of faithful ones: Turn not away when I pray to you; do that which will profit me.
No one is turned away from you, ashamed and empty, who flee to you for refuge, O pure Virgin Theotokos; but he asks the favour and receives the gift from you, to the advantage of his own request.
In truth, you are the transformation of the afflicted and the relief of those in sickness, O Virgin Theotokos; save your people and your flock, you who are the peace of the embattled and the calm of the storm-driven, the only protectress of those who believe.
Prayer of the priest:
Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance; visit Your world with mercy and compassion; exalt the Orthodox Christians to glory, and send down upon us Your abundant mercies, through the intercessions of our all-pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, through the power of the honoured and life-giving Cross; through the protection of the venerable, heavenly bodiless powers; through the supplications of the venerable and glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious, and all-famed Apostles; of our Fathers among the Saints, the great Hierarchs and universal Teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasius, Cyril, and John the Almsgiver, Patriarchs of Alexandria; Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra, and Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythun, the wonderworkers; of the holy, glorious Great Martyrs, George the Trophy-bearer, Demetrius the myrrh -streaming, Theodore the Tyro, Theodore the Commander, and Menas the wonderworker; of the Sacred Martyrs Haralampos and Eleutherius; of the holy, glorious, and triumphantly victorious Martyrs; of our righteous and God-bearing Fathers; of (the Saint to whom the church is dedicated); of the holy, righteous Ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; of (the Saints of the day) whose memory we celebrate, and of all Thy Saints: We beseech You, Who alone are all merciful; hear the prayers of us sinners and have mercy on us.
The priest: By the mercy and compassions and love for man of Your Only-begotten Son, with Whom You art blessed, together with Your All-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
The choir: Amen.
Once from out of Judea did the Children go down to the land of Babylon; they trampled down the fire of the furnace while chanting by their faith in the Trinity: O God of our Fathers, blessed are You.
Having willed thus, O Saviour, to dispense our salvation in Your economy, inside the Maid’s womb, and showed to all creation that she was our guardian; O God of our Fathers, blessed are You.
Do request, O pure Mother, to your Son who has willed to grant mercy to us, to rescue from transgressions and from the soul’s defilement those who cry out most faithfully: O God of our Fathers, blessed are You.
A fountain of incorruption and a tower of safety is she who gave birth to You; a treasure of salvation and portal of repentance have you proved her to them that shout: O God of our Fathers, blessed are You.
Condescend to restore from diseases of body and soul to those who run to your divine protection with faith, O Theotokos, and thus grant them recovery; for Mother of Christ our Saviour are you.
The King of Heaven, Whom all the hosts of Angels hymn with their chants and praises of glory, praise and exalt Him to the ages for ever.
Do not neglect those who seek the help you grant, for, O Virgin Maiden, they do hymn you, and they all exalt you throughout the ages.
On all that hymn you with faith, O Virgin, and exalt your truly unspeakable Offspring, you have poured a great abundance of your cures and healings.
You make well all the diseases that plague my soul, and you also heal the sufferings of the flesh; this is why I, O Maiden full of grace, glorify you.
You drive away all assaults of temptations, and attacks of the passions, therefore we praise you throughout all ages, O Virgin.
Most rightly we confess you as our God’s Birthgiver, we who through you have been saved, O Virgin most pure; with choirs of bodiless Angels, we magnify you.
Do not reject the torrent of my tears, for you gave birth to Him Who takes away all tears from every face, O Virgin, for He is Christ indeed.
Fill my heart, O Virgin Maiden, with gladness, for you are she who received all the fullness of joy, and made all sorrow of sinfulness to vanish.
A haven and protection, and an unshaken wall, and a rejoicing and shelter and place of retreat you become, O Virgin, for those who flee to you.
Illumine with the radiance of your light, O Virgin, all those who piously call you the Mother of God, and banish away all darkness of ignorance.
It is truly fitting to call you blessed, the Theotokos, the ever-blessed and all-pure Theotokos. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, you who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, you do we magnify.
You are higher than the heavens above, and you are much purer than the radiance of the sun; for you have redeemed us out of the curse that held us, O Mistress of creation, with hymns we honour you.
From the great abundance of all my sins, ill am I in body, ailing also am I in soul. I have you as refuge; help me, therefore, O hope of all the hopeless, for you are full of grace.
O Lady and Mother of Christ our God Who saves, receive supplication from us wretches who beg for your entreaty to the One born from you; O Mistress of creation, intercede for us.
Now we chant with eagerness to you with this ode most joyful, O all-hymned Theotokos; together with the Baptist and all the saintly choirs, beseech, O Theotokos, that we find clemency.
Speechless be the lips of the impious who refuse to reverence your revered icon which is known by the name Directress, and which has been depicted for us by the Apostle Luke the Evangelist.
O all arrays of Angelic Hosts, with the holy Baptist, the Apostles’ twelve-numbered band, all the Saints together, as well as God’s Birthgiver, we seek your intercession for our deliverance.
The reader:
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
The priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
The reader: Amen.
The priest or reader: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for lacking as we are in all defence, this supplication do we sinners offer You, as our Master: Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us, for we have placed all our trust in You. Do not be greatly angry with us, nor remember our iniquities; but look upon us even now, since You are compassionate, and You redeem us from our enemies. For You are our, God, and we Your people; all are the works of Your hands, and upon Your Name have we called.
Theotokion
Open the portal of compassion to us, O most blessed Theotokos; for hoping in you, let us not fail, we pray; through you may we be delivered from adversities, for you are the salvation of the Christian race.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our Bishop (Name), and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious and Orthodox Christians who dwell and sojourn in this city, the parishioners and benefactors of this holy temple, and all that serve, chant, labour and gather herein; and for the servants of God (Names), and for the forgiveness of their every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary.
You are a merciful and man-befriending God, and to You we send up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
The choir: Amen.
As the faithful kiss the icon of the Theotokos, the following Troparia are chanted with prostrations:
You shelter, all those who in faith flee to you, with your mighty hand, O pure one, as you are good; no one else have we who sin as a perpetual intercession with our God in dangers and sorrows, we who have been burdened with our abundant sins, Theotokos in the highest. Therefore, we all fall down before you; rescue us, your servants from adversities.
You are the joy of all that sorrow, and of the oppressed a guardian, and nurture of all the poor, comfort to the estranged, a support you are to the blind, visitation of all the sick, a shelter and succour to those brought down by pain, helper of orphaned ones: you are Theotokos in the Highest, O spotless Maiden; hurry, we beg you, to redeem your slaves.
Lady, receive the supplications of your slaves, and deliver us from every affliction and necessity.
To you I commit my every hope, O Theotokos; guard me under your shelter.
The Exapostilaria at the conclusion of the Great Paraklesis to the Theotokos are chanted during the Fast of the Theotokos, from the first to the fourteenth of August.
O you Apostles from afar, being now gathered together here in the village of Gethsemane, lay my body in burial; and You, my Son and my God, receive my spirit.
You are the sweetness of Angels, the gladness of afflicted ones, and the protectress of Christians, O Virgin Mother of our Lord; be my helper, and save me from out of eternal torments.
I have you as Mediator before God who loves mankind; May He not question my action before the hosts of the Angels, I ask of you, O Virgin, hasten quickly to my aid.
You are a tower adorned with gold, a city surrounded by twelve walls, a shining throne touched by the sun, a royal seat for the King, O unexplainable wonder, How do you nurse the Master?
The priest or reader: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Monastery of Philotheou on Mount Athos
Most pleased with her inheritance of Mount Athos, the Theotokos said this prayer in thanksgiving, ‘My Son and my God, bless this place, this lot of mine. Pour Thy mercy up on it and keep it free from harm till the end of this world, together with them that dwell therein for Thy holy name and mine. And, through their fatigue and through the struggle of repentance, may their sins be forgiven. Fill their lives with every good and necessity in this age, and with eternal life in the future age. Glorify this place above every other place and show Thy miraculous power in every way. Fill it with men from every nation under the sky, who are called by Thy name and extend their habitations in it from end to end. Exempt them from eternal punishment, save them from every temptation, from visible and invisible enemies and from every heresy, and pacify them in right worship (Orthodoxy).”
In the life of St. Peter the Athonite (681 A.D.), he beheld a vision of the Theotokos speaking with St. Nicholas, saying, “There is a Mountain in Europe, both beautiful and great, extending into the sea, facing Libya. Of all the places on the earth, I have chosen this Mountain, and it is to be the monk’s proper residence. I myself have come to know it and have received it from my Son and God as an inheritance, for them that desire to forsake the cares and tumults of the world that they might betake themselves there and serve God in peace without hindrance. Henceforth this place shall be holy and shall be my garden. Exceedingly do I love that place. I will epsecially aid them that come to dwell there and that labor with all their souls for God.”
She continued, “The time will come when, from every direction, it will be filled with a multitude of monks. On account of this my soul rejoices and is exceedingly glad because they will praise and glorify the name of my Son and God. If those monks shall labor with all their hearts and faithfully keep His commandments, I will vouchsafe them great gifts on the day of my Son. And, while even here on earth, they will receive great aid from me. I shall lighten their afflictions and labors. I will be for monks an invincible ally, invisibly guiding and guarding them, a healer, a source nourishing them, and make it possible for them, with but scant means, to have sufficiency for life.”
After praying for the new flock on the Holy Mountain, the Theotokos and her company set sail for Cyprus. Upon arriving, they found St. Lazarus in great sorrow, for he feared their delay had been caused by the storm. However, her arrival turned his sorrow into great joy and she then related to him everything that had happened on the Holy Mountain and they all gave great thanks to God.
Here is a link to a virtual tour of Mount Athos, which for us Orthodox mothers, is likely the closest we’ll ever get to seeing it since it is forbidden to women. You can even light a virtual candle!
We are also very blessed to have nearly 20 Athonite monasteries here in the United States and Canada, opened by the holy Elder Ephraim, former abbot of Philotheou and who is still the spiritual guide of several other monasteries on Mount Athos. Click here for a list of the monasteries here in the states.
Here are some prophecies concerning the Holy Mountain written by Elder Paisios the Athonite and St. Nilus the Myrrhstreamer of Mount Athos.
Panagia Gerondissa
While they were at sea there was a terrible storm and the ship was thrown off course. During this storm she prayed to her Son to pilot their vessel, according to His will. When the storm finally subsided they found themselves outside the port of Clementos on Athos.
At that time, Mount Athos was inhabited by pagan tribes and the island was full of temples occupied by mostly young virgins dedicated to the goddess diana and were preparing to become priestesses in the idolatrous temples of Greece. It was forbidden by penalty of death for men to enter the island.
When the Virgin Mary’s ship approached, the statue to Jupiter fell from its place at the top of the island and shattered to pieces. (The presence of this statue is mentioned in ancient history; its eyes would reflect the starlight and was used as a lighthouse to those sailing around the island)
When the Panagia went ashore to rest for a few moments she was overwhelmed by the beauty of the island and she asked her Son to give her this mountain, despite the fact that the inhabitants were pagan. A loud voice was then heard saying, “Let this place be thine inheritance and garden, a paradise and a haven of salvation for those seeking to be saved.”
[[ Now, it is important to mention at this point an event that occured immediately after Pentecost. The Apostles and several other followers of Jesus were casting lots to see which land they were to travel to in order to spread the Word. The Theotokos too desired to take part in the preaching of the Gospel and so the apostles cast a lot for her and her lot fell on the Iberian land (now Georgia is southern Russia).
However after the day of Pentecost, the Theotokos was planning on setting out for Iberia at once but the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and said that Jesus Christ wishes that she not depart from Judea. He told her that God would direct her to a peninsula in Macedonia and she will have the work of preaching in that land. He went on to tell her the following in regards to the Iberian land, "The land which fell to thee will be enlightened in the latter days, by another woman, and thy dominion will be established there." These words were fulfilled three centuries later when the blessed Virgin Mary sent St. Nina "Equal to the Apostles" wom she blessed and helped in proclaiming the Gospel to the Iberians.]]
So, when the Virgin Mary heard those words while resting on the island, she remembered the Archangel’s words. She stood up to give thanks to God and at that moment the ground shook and the pagan statues in all the temples fell prostrate and broke into pieces. Then, even the trees on the peninsula bent forward as though offering veneration to the Theotokos. Then screams were heard coming from the idols and cries could be heard saying, “Men of Apollo, get ye all to Clemes harbor and welcome Mary, the Mother of the Great God Jesus!” Then the demons inhabiting the idols, forced against their will, could not resist the power of God and they proclaimed the truth.
Whereupon, all the inhabitants of Athos hastened from all parts of the island to that port. She then preached to them the Gospel of her Son and all were amazed at not only her words but also at the fact that a Hebrew woman was speaking to them in Greek.
I wanted to post some of the different icons of Panagia and St. Joseph that Konstantina had sent me after my post on Day 2. She said the following in a comment,
“I am studying them for my masters degree I come across lots of material that is and is not Orthodox. The icon you have in this post, although nicely depicting St. Joseph with gray hair, is not Orthodox. It is influenced by the Roman Catholic idea of the holy family, which for reasons you mentioned in the post, is not how the Orthodox view of their betrothal. He was her guardian, not Christ’s earthly father and for this reason a strictly Orthodox icon would not depict the three of them as a family the way St. Anna and St. Joachim are depicted with Panagia.”
Here are a couple of them:
This one is of the Flight int Egypt. I especially like how St. James, the brother of the Lord (one of St. Joseph’s 8 children) is also depicted.
This one is a little difficult to see but if you enlarge it you will see many of the events from Christ’s early life depicted. I’m not sure what the name of this particular icon is though…Konstantina?
Also, Elenie recently posted some very beautiful icons on her Scribd group, Orthodox Christian Education Resources, from the Life of the Panagia. They also have brief descriptions of the icons, including the meaning behind some of the colors chosen, etc. One that really caught my attention was of The Betrothal. It shows St. Joseph holding his rod with the 3 blooms and it also depicts Panagia and St. Joseph accurately in age. It’s very lovely, be sure to check it out!
Thank you guys for sharing these things with us!!
In honor of the Dormition feast which is rapidly approaching, I am giving away an incredible 2-disc lecture on The Life of the Theotokos by Fr. George Passias.
It is one of the most amazing sermons on . The first disc covers her life from Conception to her Betrothal and the second disc is from the Ascension of Christ to her Dormition.
Just leave a comment on this post telling me one of your favorite things about the Theotokos, it could be an icon, a memory, a miracles, anything. I just like hearing your stories. Then I’ll use a random number generator to choose the winner on Monday, August 10!
Here are a few links to some other great resources on The Theotokos!
Evlogia-I *love* this lesson plan for the Dormition Feast! It’s full of great ideas and projects.
Homily on The Mother of God by Fr. Demetrios Carellas. (another excellent sermon) Thanks Maria for this recommendation!
Coloring Sheets from Potamitis Publishing for your children. The kids love these!!
The Amolyntos is another one of my favorite icons. It is the one we have hanging in the main part of our home next to our kandili.
I’m not sure what the exact history of the icon is, I’ve looked it up but haven’t found much. If anyone knows, I’d love for you to share it with us.
What I do know about it is that Christ has his head turned towards the angels because they are telling him of his future Crucifixion. This is why one angel is holding a cross and the other holds a spear and a reed with a sponge on the end. Also, if you look closely, you will notice that one of the Lord’s sandals is hanging off of his foot, and this is because upon learning of his fate, he quickly ran into His Mother’s arms for protection.
This is yet another reminder of how Christ’s life was not the life of a typical child. He was only concerned with the things of God. How else could a child this age possibly understand something like His own Crucifixion?
GLORY TO GOD!!
I'm just another Orthodox mom trying to get it right and enjoying life's perfect imperfections along the way.
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"Each person must bear the weaknesses of others. Who is perfect? Who can boast that he has kept his heart undefiled? Hence, we are all sick, and whoever condemns his brother does not perceive that he himself is sick, because a sick person does not condemn another sick person."
-Elder Ephraim of Philotheou & Arizona
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