The Akathist to the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “All-Holy” is a prayer that is read before this sacred icon to express reverence and gratitude to the Theotokos. It helps us to deepen our understanding of her life and role in our faith.
Troparion, Tone 4
O most blessed Theotokos, thou dost manifest thyself as a radiant icon of joy, and with fervent longing, we beseech thy mercy, O Sovereign Lady, to deliver those who flee to thee from all calamities, and to protect thy flock from every peril, ever praying for thy intercession.
Kondakion, Tone 6
O most compassionate Theotokos, thou dost intercede for us with unfeigned zeal, and thy supplication to the Creator is unshakeable. Do not despise the prayers of the sinful, but rather, as the Benefactress, hasten to our aid, O Mother of God, who invoke thy name with faith.
Kondakion 1
Standing before thy newly revealed icon, O most faithful Theotokos, we humbly sing thy praise, thy servants: grant to those who approach thee now, O Sovereign Lady, that all may joyfully cry out to thee:
Rejoice, O Theotokos, thou who healest our infirmities by thy grace.
Ikon 1
The angel, descending from heaven, spoke to the Theotokos:
“Rejoice!” And, as the Lord, thou dost hear this voice, thus respond:
Rejoice, thou who art the crown of our salvation.
Rejoice, thou who fulfill the purpose of the Creator.
Rejoice, for it is through thee that God was incarnate.
Rejoice, for in thee the Invisible has been revealed.
Rejoice, thou who hast received the gift of peace.
Rejoice, thou who hast clothed the Word with flesh.
Rejoice, thou who art the unapproachable glory of the heavens.
Rejoice, thou who hast quickened the hearts of men.
Rejoice, thou who art the radiant star of grace.
Rejoice, thou who art the fountain of living waters.
Rejoice, O Mother of God, thou who art blessed among women.
Rejoice, thou who didst give birth to the Incorrupt Savior.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, thou who healest our infirmities by thy grace.
Kondakion 2
The Eternal Word, in His infancy, became incarnate through thee, O Theotokos, and, as the Mother of God, thou dost bestow healing upon those who honor thee and celebrate thy ineffable Nativity:
Alleluia
I’os 2
Seeking to understand the incomprehensible Mystery, the Virgin cried out to the attendant: “Since thou art a pure Maiden, how then shall I be the Mother of the Most High—explain unto me?” To her the Gabriel spoke with fear, calling her thus:
Rejoice, Chosen of the High Counsel.
Rejoice, swift to attend to those who pray.
Rejoice, Treasure of Christ’s peace.
Rejoice, hope and strength of Thy people.
Rejoice, wondrous Destroyer of cancers.
Rejoice, Healer of other diseases.
Rejoice, unique intercession for the world.
Rejoice, faithful deliverance in sorrows.
Rejoice, ever-soothing weeping and tears.
Rejoice, opening the gates of salvation to all.
Rejoice, mighty protection of those dwelling on Athos.
Rejoice, staff of monks and laity.
Rejoice, All-Humble, healing our infirmities by grace.
Conakion 3
The power of the High having overshadowed Thee, O Virgin, the flesh became ineffable delight; Thou did show Thyself as a sweet vineyard, desiring to harvest salvation, and singing:
Alleluia
I’os 3
“Thy holy icon was wondrously glorified, named ‘All-Humble,’ when Thy image, O Theotokos, appeared heaven-savily; and to those crying out before it with faith, Thou grantest healing, so that these songs may be multiplied:
Rejoice, Mother of the Unapproachable Light.
Rejoice, victory for those who have endured to the end.
Rejoice, healing for those in sickness and sorrow.
Rejoice, unshakable wall of orphans and widows.
Rejoice, opening the gates of Paradise.
Rejoice, advocating for those who labor and are burdened.
Rejoice, intercessor for the salvation of the faithful.
Rejoice, prayer for the human race.
Rejoice, heavenly ladder, leading from earth to heaven.
Rejoice, living water, washing away mortal sins.
Rejoice, Lamb, preserving the hearts of the guileless.
Rejoice, canopy, overshadowing the children of the Church.
Condak 4
Granting life to the world, O Lord of peace, You dwelt in the womb of Your Mother without sin, and, showing her to the faithful, You called us to hymn You in peace:
Alleluia
Icos 4
A wondrous deed was accomplished for You, O City of God, through healing wrought by Your holy icons; therefore, we receive the streams of healing, O All-Healing One, and give thanks, hymning:
Rejoice, O remedy, soothing pain.
Rejoice, O cooling balm, quenching the fever of the afflicted.
Rejoice, O fiery flame, consuming the ulcers of the flesh.
Rejoice, O raiser of the bedridden, whom physicians have forsaken.
Rejoice, O manifestation of Your pure glory to the chosen.
Rejoice, O liberator from the bonds of sin.
Rejoice, O grantor of deliverance from death.
Rejoice, O Ointment of incorruption, making the multitude of the faithful righteous.
Rejoice, O height, unsearchable by human thoughts.
Rejoice, O depth, brought forth from the One Word.
Rejoice, O prophecy of the patriarchs who preceded You.
Rejoice, O Guide, of the hierarchs who have prayed to You.
Rejoice, O All-Healing One, healing our infirmities by Your grace.
Condak 5
The pure Temple of the Savior has known You, O Maiden; we flee to You, O Pure One, that You may make us temples of the Divinity, hymning Him:
Alleluia
Icos 5
Beholding the hand of the Creator upon Your hand, men have seen the order of the angelic host, and, understanding You as the one Lord, though You have called Yourself the Servant of the Lord, You have striven to serve Him with hymns, O Most Blessed One:
Rejoice, O one established by God above the heavenly powers.
Rejoice, O one healing the world with wondrous cures.
Rejoice, O one hearing the hymn and praise from heaven.
Rejoice, O one receiving thanks from the earth.
Rejoice, O one who has consumed the seed of tares in the hearts.
Rejoice, O one who has shattered the snares of the devil.
Rejoice, O one who has filled the lamentation with joy.
Rejoice, O one changing sorrow into heavenly sweetness.
Rejoice, O one who is a sweet fragrance to God.
Rejoice, O one who is the great joy of repentant sinners.
Rejoice, O shield of righteousness, protecting from temptations.
Rejoice, O buckler of protection, guarding from enmity and strife.
Rejoice, O All-Healing One, healing our infirmities by Your grace.
Condak 6
Prophets of the divine, disciples of the Savior, you stood before Thee, O Maiden, wondrously, when from earth to heaven you ascended, that with one heart and mouth you might hymn God:
Alleluia
Icos 6
A wondrous grace shone forth from Thy icon, O All-merciful One, when the youth, darkened by satanic teachings, fell before it and remained unmoving; yet, freed from the darkness of his chains, he cried out to Thee with fear and joy, saying:
Rejoice, correction of the wicked life.
Rejoice, consolation of the sorrowful.
Rejoice, expulsion of demonic legions from the Church.
Rejoice, dispersal of the darkness of sin.
Rejoice, destruction of invisible snares.
Rejoice, mighty triumph over demonic charms.
Rejoice, guiding light of the deceived.
Rejoice, cloak, covering the innocent from evil.
Rejoice, mountain, nourishing with heavenly manna.
Rejoice, valley, filling with the humility of Christ.
Rejoice, stone of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, mirror of eternal Light.
Rejoice, All-merciful One, healing our infirmities with Thy grace.
Condak 7
Although Thou didst will to take on Thee as food for the faithful, O Christ God, Thou didst will to be incarnate from the Virgin, that those receiving Thy immaculate Body and Blood might know Thee as the perfect God; and thus, marveling at this ineffable wisdom, we cry out:
Alleluia
Icos 7
The Builder revealed a new mystery, having accomplished the Secret Supper with His disciples; and we, praying to the All-merciful One to grant us the divine Sacraments, hymn her thus:
Rejoice, Provider of the Heavenly Bread.
Rejoice, Mother of Eternal Life.
Rejoice, Chalice, uniting Christ to us.
Rejoice, soul and body, uniting with God.
Rejoice, golden cup, filled with divine Mysteries.
Rejoice, precious ciborium, containing the great Sacraments.
Rejoice, finger, pointing to the Holy Eucharist.
Rejoice, table, offering us the Holy Food.
Rejoice, placing worthy communicants at Thy right hand.
Rejoice, delivering the zealous of the divine Liturgy from hell.
Rejoice, leading the dead to the Fountain of immortality.
Rejoice, guarding Thy children with peace and strength.
Rejoice, All-merciful One, healing our infirmities with Thy grace.
Condak 8
Beholding the strange Nativity, we have laid aside all worldly care, for woe is us, for the Most High has appeared, to entice those who cry out to Thee:
Alleluia
Icos 8
Remaining unceasingly in the depths of the Father’s bosom, the Unutterable Word became flesh on earth; the Great God created the greatness of the Virgin and looked upon the humility of His Servant, hearing the cries of those who are afflicted:
Rejoice, O Thou Who hast received the Uncontainable God.
Rejoice, O Thou Who hast revealed the Transcendent Creator to the world.
Rejoice, O Thou Who hast crushed the power of death.
Rejoice, O Thou Who hast healed the wound of Adam.
Rejoice, O Thou Who dost heal the wounds of the soul.
Rejoice, O Thou Who dost bind up the wounds of the body.
Rejoice, O Thou Who dost bring relief to those who are tormented by disease.
Rejoice, O Thou Who dost bring solace to those who are dying.
Rejoice, O Thou Who hast vanquished hell.
Rejoice, O Thou Who hast dulled the sting of death.
Rejoice, O Thou Who art the hope of the universal resurrection.
Rejoice, O Thou Who art the undeniable salvation of the Orthodox.
Rejoice, O All-Creator, Who dost heal our infirmities by Thy grace.
Condak 9
All the angelic and human nature has been amazed at the greatness of Thy incomprehensible incarnation, O Word; and, being perplexed by this great mystery of piety, we give thanks to Thee with fear and trembling:
Alleluia
Icos 9
Multifarious diseases, O All-Creator, are healed by the holy icons of Thy mercy, beyond all expectation of healing, that, receiving faith, they may cry out to Thee with joy:
Rejoice, O Thou Who art the preservation of Thy children’s health.
Rejoice, O Thou Who art the healing of the sick.
Rejoice, O Thou Who art the healing of the afflicted children.
Rejoice, O Thou Who art the comfort of the young who suffer.
Rejoice, O Thou Who art the rising of those who have fallen ill.
Rejoice, O Thou Who art the consolation of those who are terrified by death.
Rejoice, O Thou Who art attentive to the lamentations of men.
Rejoice, O Thou Who art looking upon our supplications.
Rejoice, O Thou Who dost dissolve the earthly pains into heavenly joy.
Rejoice, O Thou Who dost provide patience beyond nature to those who are tormented.
Rejoice, O Thou Who dost prepare joy for those who weep.
Rejoice, O Thou Who dost provide the wings of prayer for the humble.
Rejoice, O All-Creator, Who dost heal our infirmities by Thy grace.
Condak 10
Save, O Builder, the human nature, corrupted by sin, by descending upon it as a refreshing rain, and by transforming it, make it unburnable, that God, who is Man, may be glorified by us:
Alleluia
Icos 10
You are a wall for maidens, O Virgin, and a pure maiden, and a joy to all who rejoice in purity, for in you, God has dwelled, purifying His rational creations, and freeing them from all defilement, we offer to you, a hymn:
Rejoice, O Interlocutor of those seeking silence.
Rejoice, O Crown of those preserving chastity.
Rejoice, O Beginning and End of spiritual perfection.
Rejoice, O Treasury of Divine Revelation.
Rejoice, O Mystery of the Trinitarian Council.
Rejoice, O Cause of the salvation of humanity.
Rejoice, O Unapproachable Summit, inaccessible to the proud in mind.
Rejoice, O Refuge, accessible to humble hearts.
Rejoice, O Pure One, most pure in heaven.
Rejoice, O Most Chaste One, more chaste than the Cherubim and Seraphim.
Rejoice, O Gladdened One, who received the joy from the Archangel.
Rejoice, O Comforted One, whose hands touched the resurrected Christ.
Rejoice, O All-Curer, healing our infirmities by your grace.
Condak 11
Striving to offer reasonable hymns to the Savior, we, your servants, remain, O Mistress, always unceasing, for who can worthily hymn God, whose name is like poured-out oil? Therefore, we cry out to Him:
Alleluia
Icos 11
The great light has shone in the darkness, O Virgin, visit us from on high, O Son and God of yours; having made you a lamp on the lampstand, you illuminate the church with the light of your children, and we offer to you, a hymn:
Rejoice, O Dawn of the wise Sun.
Rejoice, O Container of the Divine Fire.
Rejoice, O Light, which has woven a garment for the saints.
Rejoice, O Lamp, which has driven away the darkness of demons.
Rejoice, O Illumination of those with crooked minds.
Rejoice, O Illumination of the hearts of sinners.
Rejoice, O Right Hand, which brings forth from the sea of vanity.
Rejoice, O Ray, guiding those who are being saved to the Kingdom.
Rejoice, O Thunderbolt, striking the unrepentant.
Rejoice, O Thunder, terrifying the destroyers.
Rejoice, O Illumination of wicked consciences.
Rejoice, O Mercy of God’s Judgment.
Rejoice, O All-Curer, healing our infirmities by your grace.
Kondak 12
Granting us thy grace, thou hast bestowed upon us the New Covenant, the Gift of the Old Testament; and we, having received thy grace, have not fulfilled the works of the law, but have obtained salvation through faith alone, and thus we hymn thee:
Alleluia
Icos 12
Singing thy nativity, O Theotokos, just as of old Israel sang of the tabernacle of the harvest, so we now hymn thee, O true tabernacle, with virtues, that thou mayest hear from all:
Rejoice, O song, hymned on high.
Rejoice, O psalm, heard from below.
Rejoice, O One God, served worthily.
Rejoice, O Most Holy Trinity, humbled in humility.
Rejoice, O Eternal One, bearing all in thy womb.
Rejoice, O Throne, holding the universe in thy hands.
Rejoice, O Unutterable One, hidden through the ages and times.
Rejoice, O Firm Hope of the nations and tribes.
Rejoice, O Heart’s Joy of the reverent clergy.
Rejoice, O Swift Hearing of the Church’s and monks’ prayers.
Rejoice, O House of the Blessed Wisdom.
Rejoice, O Vessel of Mercy, chosen by God.
Rejoice, O All-Caring One, healing our infirmities by thy grace.
Kondak 13
O All-Caring Mother, who hast given birth to all the saints to the Most Holy Word, receiving our present hymn, heal us from all mortal diseases and deliver us from future condemnation, crying out:
Alleluia
(This kondak is read three times, then ikos 1 and kondak 1)
Molitva
O Most Pure Theotokos, All-Caring One! Hear our many-sickly sighing, offered before thy wondrous icon, behold thy children, suffering from incurable infirmities, approaching thy holy image with faith! Just as a bird covers its young with its wings, so too thou, living eternally, cover us with thy healing omophorion. Where hope disappears, be our unshakeable hope. Where fierce sorrows overwhelm, appear to us with patience and consolation. Where the darkness of despair has settled in our souls, let the unutterable light of God shine forth! Comfort the weak, strengthen the feeble, grant softening and enlightenment to hardened hearts. Heal the sick, O All-Merciful Queen! Bless the minds and hands of those healing us, that they may serve as instruments of the All-Powerful Physician, Christ our Savior. We pray to thee before thy icon, O Mistress! Stretch forth thy hands, filled with healing and medicine, O Comfort of the sorrowful, O Solace in grief, that we may soon receive thy wondrous aid and hymn the Life-Giving and Undivided Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Icon of the Mother of God “All-Caring” (Pantanassa)
The miraculous icon “All-Caring” is located in Greece on the Holy Mountain of Athos, near the eastern column of the cathedral church of the Vatopedi Monastery. The icon, of medium size, depicts the Most Pure Virgin Mary in imperial attire, sitting on a throne. In her hands, she holds the Infant Christ, with the Gospel in her left hand and a blessing in her right hand. With her right hand, the Most Pure Virgin points to her Son as the Savior of all people. The nimbus of Christ is adorned with Greek letters, meaning “Existing,” “He Who Cannot Not Be,” “He from Whom All Are,” and “He by Whom We All Move and Exist.” The nimbus of the Mother of God and Christ is adorned with a beautiful design in enamel. In the background of the icon, two angels are depicted, bowing reverently to the Most Pure Virgin and stretching out their hands to her. The icon is painted