The

Small Paraklesis

to the Theotokos

by Theosteriktos the Monk

Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

Psalm 142

O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear to my supplications in Your truth; hear me in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is justified. For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead, and my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed. I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all Your works: I pondered on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You, like a thirsty land. Hear me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not turn Your face away from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for in You I have put my trust. Cause me to know, O Lord, the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; to You have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Your good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, You shall quicken me. In Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of trouble, and in Your mercy, You shall utterly destroy my enemies. And you shall destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am Your servant.

Tone 4

God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Verse 2: All the nations have surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord, I have overcome them.

God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Verse 3: This has been done by the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Tone 4

To the Theotokos, let us run now most fervently,

As sinners and lowly ones,

Let us fall down in repentance,

Crying from the depths of our soul:

Lady, come and help us,

Have compassion upon us;

Hasten now for we are lost in the host of our errors;

Do not turn your servants away,

For you alone are a hope to us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

(Repeat the above or the Apolytikion of the Church.)

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Theotokos, we shall never be silent.

Of your mighty acts, all we the unworthy;

Had you not stood to intercede for us

Who would have delivered us,

From the numerous perils?

Who would have preserved us all

Until now with our freedom?

O Lady, we shall not depart from you;

For you always save your servants,

From all tribulation.

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

Ode 1 (Tone 8)

Crossing the waters as on dry land,

In that way escaping from the evils of Egypt's land,

The Israelites cried out exclaiming:

Let us sing to our Redeemer and our God.

O Most Holy Theotokos save us.

With my temptations surrounding me,

Searching for salvation,

I have sought refuge in you;

O Mother of the Word, and ever-Virgin,

From all distresses and dangers deliver me.

O Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Assaults of the passions have shaken me,

My soul to its limits

Has been filled with much despair;

Bring peace, O Maiden, in the calmness,

Of your Son and your God, all-blameless One.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

To God and the Savior you've given birth;

I ask you, O Virgin,

From the dangers deliver me;

For now I run to you for refuge,

With both my soul and my reasoning.

Both now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Diseased is the body and the soul;

Deem me truly worthy

Of divine guidance and your care;

For you alone are God's Mother,

As the good and the birthgiver of the Good.

Ode 3

The apse of the heavens,

Are you O Lord, Fashioner,

And the Holy Church's great Founder,

Likewise establish me,

In constant love for You

For You're the height of our longing;

Support of the faithful,

The only Friend of all.

O Most Holy Theotokos save us.

A protection and shelter,

I have with you in my life,

You, the Theotokos and the Virgin,

Pilot me towards your port;

For you are the cause,

The cause of that which is good,

Support of the faithful,

The only all-praised one.

O Most Holy Theotokos save us.

I entreat you, O Virgin,

Disperse the storm of my grief,

and the soul's most inward confusion,

Scatter it far from me;

You are the Bride of God,

For you have brought forth the Christ,

the Prince of Peace;

O, all-blameless one.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Having brought forth unto us

the cause and giver of good,

From your great abundance of kindness,

Pour forth upon us all;

For all is possible,

For you who carried the Christ,

Who is mighty in power;

You, who are blessed of God.

Both now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

With most serious ailments,

And with the passions so dark,

I am being tested, O Virgin,

Come and bring help to me;

For I have known of you,

That you are without fail

the endless treasure of cures,

Only all-blameless one.

Deliver us,

All of your servants, from danger, O Theotokos;

After God, we all flee to you,

For shelter and covering,

As an unshakable wall and our protection.

Turn to me,

In your good favor, all praise-worthy Theotokos;

Look upon my grave illnesses,

Which painfully sting my flesh,

And heal the cause of my soul's pain and suffering.

(The priest commemorates those for whom the Paraklesis is sung.)

Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

People: Lord, have mercy. (x3)

Priest: Again we pray for our Metropolitan N., our Bishop N., and all our brethren in Christ.

People: Lord, have mercy. (x3)

Priest: Again we pray for the President of our country, for all civil authorities, and for the armed forces.

People: Lord, have mercy. (x3)

Priest: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of the sins of the servants of God, especially N., and all the brethren of this holy temple.

People: Lord, have mercy. (x3)

Priest: For Thou art a merciful God, and the Lover of mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

Sessional Hymn (Tone 2)

A fervent prayer, and wall most unshakable

A merciful spring and shelter of all mankind;

Fervently, we cry to you:

Theotokos, our Lady,

Come to us,

And from all dangers now deliver us,

The only protection who speeds to us.

Ode 4

O Lord, I have heard of

The wondrous mystery of Your salvation;

I have contemplated all Your works

And I have glorified Your great divinity.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Still the darkest of passions,

Calm the sea of errors

In your great peacefulness;

It was you who bore the guiding Lord,

And you who are the blessed bride of God.

O Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Your depth of compassion

Grant unto me

As one beseeching you;

You have carried the Compassionate One,

The Savior of those praising you.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

We are thankful for all the gifts

Which we have been given

By you the spotless one;

And to you, we sing a hymn of praise,

Knowing you to be the Mother of God.

Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

As a hope and foundation,

And a wall unshaken

Of our salvation;

We have you, the all-lauded one,

And from afflictions you rescue us.

Ode 5

Lord, enlighten us,

With Your precepts that can guide our lives,

And with Your arm most powerful.

Grant to us Your peace,

O You Who are the Friend of all.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Pure one, fill my heart

With a merriment, a happiness;

Bestow on me your spotless joy,

For you have given birth

To Him Who is the cause of joy.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Deliver all of us

From the dangers, Theotokos, most pure,

For you bore the timeless deliverer,

And you bore the peace,

The peace which has surpassed all thought.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Dissipate the cloud

Of my sinfulness, O Bride of God,

With the brightness of your eminence;

For you brought forth the Light,

Divine Light, which was before all time.

Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Heal me from the ills

Which the passions bring most pure one,

Make me worthy of your guiding care,

And unto me grant health,

Through your intercessions and your prayers.

Ode 6

My petition, I pour out to the Lord,

And to Him I will confess all my sorrows;

For many woes

Fill my soul to its limits,

And unto Hades my whole life has now approached,

Like Jonah, I pray to You,

O God, now raise me from corruption.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

From death and corruption He has saved

My nature, held by death and corruption;

For unto death

He Himself has surrendered;

For which reason, O Virgin, please intercede

With Him who is your Lord and Son,

From the enemies' evils deliver me.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I know you as the protection of my life,

A steadfast shelter and refuge, O Virgin;

Disperse the host

Of my many temptations,

And force away the demonic attacks from me;

I pray to you unceasingly,

From corruption of passions deliver me.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

We have you as a wall of refuge,

And our soul's most perfect salvation;

You are an aid,

In affliction, O Maiden,

And in your light we rejoice to eternity;

O Lady, also now,

From the passions and dangers deliver us.

Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

I lie now on a bed of infirmities,

And there is no healing at all for my body

Except for you,

Who has brought forth our Savior,

God, the healer of all our infirmities;

Of your goodness, I pray to you,

From corruption of sicknesses raise me.

Deliver us,

All of your servants, from dangers, O Theotokos;

After God, we all flee to you,

For shelter and covering,

As an unshakable wall and our protection.

Spotless one,

Who by a word, did bring to us the Word eternal,

In the last days ineffably;

Do you now plead with him

As the one with the motherly favor.

(The priest commemorates as before.)

Kontakion (Tone 2)

A protection of Christians unshamable,

Intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering,

Reject not

The prayerful cries of those who are in sin.

Instead, come to us, for you are good;

Your loving help bring unto us,

Who are crying in faith to you:

Hasten to intercede

And speed now to supplicate,

As a protection for all time,

Theotokos, for those who honor you.

First Antiphon of the Anavathmoi (4th Tone)

From the years of my youth, many passions combat me; but You, Who are my Savior, assist me and save me. (x2)

You haters of Zion shall be put to shame by the Lord Almighty, for as grass in the fire, you shall all be withered. (x2)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

By the Holy Spirit, every soul is made living, is exalted, and made shining through purification, by the Threefold Oneness, in a hidden manner.

Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

By the Holy Spirit, the streams of grace are flowing, watering, all of the creation, granting life upon it.

I shall remember Your Holy Name from generation to generation.

Verse: Listen, O Daughter, and see, and incline your ear, and forget your people and your father's house and the King will desire your beauty.

I remember Your Holy Name from generation to generation.

Priest: That we may be accounted worthy of hearing the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord God.

People: Lord, have mercy (x3).

Priest: Wisdom! Let us attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be unto all.

People: And with thy spirit.

Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. Let us attend!

People: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Priest: In those days Mary arose and went in haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zachariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed, for there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the lowly estate of his handmaiden. For behold henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

People: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Tone 2

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Father, Word, and Spirit, Trinity in oneness, wash away my many personal offenses.

Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, merciful One, wash away my many personal offenses.

Verse: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassions blot out my transgressions.

Sticheron (Tone 6)

Put me not into the hands

Of any human protection,

O our Lady, most holy,

But do now receive the prayers of your supplicant;

Sorrow has taken me,

And I am unable

To withstand and bear the demon's darts;

Shelter I do not have,

Nor a place to go, worthless that I am;

Lady of humanity,

The shelter of the faithful and their hope,

Do not reject my prayers to you,

Do the things that profit me.

The Theotokia

No one is turned away from you,

Ashamed and empty, who flee unto you,

O pure virgin Theotokos;

But one asks for the favor,

And the gift is received from you,

To the advantage of their own request.

The transformation of the afflicted,

You are the cure of those in sickness,

Theotokos, O Virgin;

Save your people and your town.

You are the peace of those in conflict,

The calm of those in turmoil,

The only protection of the faithful.

Priest: O God, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Look upon Thy world with mercy and compassion; exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians, and send down on us Thy rich mercies: through the intercessions of our all-pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; of the honorable and glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious, and all-praised Apostles; of the holy, glorious, and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and Godbearing Fathers; of our Fathers among the Saints, the great Hierarchs and ecumenical Teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; of our Father among the Saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia; of (the Saint of the Church); of Saint(s) (of the day); of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all Thy Saints: we pray Thee, O Most-merciful Lord, hearken unto the prayers of us sinners and have mercy on us.

People: Lord, have mercy. (x12)

Priest: By the mercy, and compassion, and love of Thine Only-begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine All-Holy, and Good, and Life-Creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

Ode 7

Coming out of Judea,

Once the young men did go to the land of Babylon;

The flame of the furnace,

They trampled down while chanting,

With their faith in the Trinity:

O the God of our fathers,

Blessed are You, our God.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

As You willed, O our Savior,

To dispense our salvation through Your economy

Inside the Virgin's womb;

You showed to all the people

That she was our own guardian;

O the God of our fathers,

Blessed are You, our God.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

The bestower of mercy

That you bore, O pure Mother, entreat on our behalf;

From sins deliver us,

And from the soul's defilement,

We who cry out most faithfully:

O the God of our fathers,

Blessed are You, our God.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

A fountain of pureness

And a tower of safety is she who carried You,

A treasure of salvation

And the door of repentance,

She has been shown to those that cry;

O the God of our fathers,

Blessed are You, our God.

Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The illnesses of body,

And the soul's ailing sickness, of those who run to you.

For divine protection,

As God's holy Mother,

Make them worthy of remedy:

For the Savior Christ

Was born from you.

Ode 8

The King of heaven, Who is praised,

And is hymned by the host of the angels;

Praise Him and exalt Him

Throughout the many ages.

O Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Do not neglect those who seek the help you grant

They hymn you, O Virgin Maiden,

And they do exalt you

Throughout the many ages.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O Virgin, you pour a wealth of healing

On those who faithfully hymn you,

And those who exalt your

Childbearing wonder.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The infirmities of my soul are healed by you,

And the pains of my body, O Virgin,

So that I may praise you,

O Lady, in God's favor.

Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

You drive away the assaults of temptations,

And attacks of the passions, O Virgin,

Therefore do we praise you

Throughout the many ages.

Ode 9

Saved through you, O pure Virgin,

Hence we do confess you

To be most truly the birthgiver of our Lord;

With choirs of bodiless Angels,

You do we magnify.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

The streams of my many tears,

Reject not, Holy Virgin;

For you gave birth to the One who dried all the tears,

From all the faces of people;

The Christ was born of you.

O Most holy Theotokos, save us.

With gladness fill my heart,

Most Holy Virgin Lady,

For you are she who received the abundant joy;

Take the grief of my sinfulness,

And make it disappear.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

A shelter and protection

And a wall unshaken,

Become, O Virgin, for those who flee to you,

A sheltered cover and refuge,

And a place of joy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

O Virgin, from the brightness

Of your light illumine

The ones who call you most piously God’s Mother,

Take all the gloom of our ignorance

And banish it away.

Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Oppressed I am, O Virgin;

In a place of sickness,

I have been humbled; I ask you: bring remedy,

Transform my illness, my sickness,

Into a wholesomeness

Truly you are worthy to be blessed,

Mother of our God, the Theotokos,

You the ever blessed one, and all blameless one,

And the Mother of our God.

You are honored more than the Cherubim,

And you have more glory, when compared to the Seraphim;

You, without corruption,

Did bear God, the Logos;

You are the Theotokos;

You do we magnify.

(The priest censes the altar and the people, or the place where the Paraklesis is held, while the following megalynaria are chanted.)

Higher than the heavens above are you,

And you are much purer

Than the radiance of the sun;

You who have redeemed us

From the curse which is upon us;

The Lady of all people,

In hymns, do we honor you.

From the great multitude of my sins,

Ill am I in body,

Ill am I also in my soul;

I am fleeing to you,

The one who is all-blessed,

The hope of all the hopeless,

Please come bring help to me.

Lady and the Mother of Him who saves,

Receive the supplications

Of the lowly who pray to you;

Mediate between us

And the One you brought forth;

O Lady of all people, intercede for us.

Now with zeal we chant this ode to you;

You, the all-praised Lady,

Theotokos, we hymn with joy;

With the saints most holy,

Together with the Baptist,

Beseech, O Theotokos,

For God's mercy on us.

Speechless be the lips of impious ones,

Those who do not reverence

Your great icon, the sacred one,

Which is called Directress,

And was depicted for us

By one of the apostles,

Luke the Evangelist.

(The Megalynarion of the church is chanted.)

With the hosts of Angels, God's messengers,

With the Lord's Forerunner,

And Apostles, the chosen twelve,

With the saints most holy,

And with you, the Theotokos,

We seek your intercession

For our salvation.

People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (x3)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (x3)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to 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.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

(During the period from the 1st to the 14th of August, instead of the following Troparia, the Apolytikion of the day and the Theotokion of the tone are chanted.)

Troparia (Tone 6)

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us,

For we are empty of all defense,

As sinners we offer this supplication to You;

O Master, have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, have mercy on us,

For in You we have put our trust;

Be not exceedingly angry with us,

Nor remember our many iniquities;

But look upon us now as the Compassionate,

And deliver us from our enemies;

For You are our God, and we Your people,

We are all the work of Your hands,

And upon Your Name we have now called.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The doors of caring do now open unto us,

O most blessed Theotokos,

So that hoping in you we shall not fail;

Through you we may be delivered from adversities,

For you are the salvation of the Christian faith.

Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

People: Lord, have mercy. (x3)

Priest: Again we pray for our Metropolitan N., our Bishop N., and all our brethren in Christ.

People: Lord, have mercy. (x3)

Priest: Again we pray for the President of our country, for all civil authorities, and for the armed forces.

People: Lord, have mercy. (x3)

Priest: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of the sins of the servants of God, especially N., and all the brethren of this holy temple.

People: Lord, have mercy. (x3)

Priest: For Thou are a merciful and lovest mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to the ages of the ages.

People: Amen.

Priest: May Christ our True God, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother; of the holy and glorious and all-praised Apostles; of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs; of (the Saint of the Church); of Saint(s) (of the day); of the holy righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and of all Thy Saints, have mercy on us and save us, as Thou art good lovest mankind.

(The Christian faithful reverence the icon of the Theotokos while the following troparia are chanted.)

Tone 2

All those

Do you shelter, O Good One,

Those who in their faith flee unto you,

With your strong hand, you protect;

We who sin have no one else,

Who intercedes for us

Before God, praying endlessly,

In ills and all dangers,

For us who are laiden with

Our many sins and mistakes;

Mother, of our God in the Highest

Therefore, we fall down to you, humbly;

From all the misfortunes, keep your servants safe.

Tone 2

For those

In great sorrow you are joy,

And for the oppressed, a protection,

And for the hungry, their food,

Comfort unto those estranged;

You are a staff to the blind,

Visitation of all those sick,

And to those held by pain

Shelter and a comforting,

And to the orphaned, an aid;

Mother, of our God in the highest,

You who are the Spotless One, hasten,

Save your servants from their sin, we ask of you.

Tone 8

Lady, O do receive,

From your servants, their many prayers;

And deliver all of us,

From all sadness and necessity.

Tone 2

My numerous hopes are placed

Before you, most holy one;

Mother of our God,

Guard me with care, within your sheltered arms.

Priest: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

People: Amen.

(During the period from the 1st to the 15th of August, instead of chanting the previous Theotokia, the following Exsapostilaria is chanted:)

Tone 3

O You Apostles from afar,

Being gathered together

In the village of Gethsemane,

Lay my body in burial,

And You, my Son, and my God,

Receive now my spirit from me.

You are the sweetness of Angels,

The gladness of the afflicted ones,

A protection of all Christians,

O Virgin Mother of our Lord;

Grant me now help and save me

From the 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 now 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?