The Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God “Hearing” is a prayer read before an icon that is considered particularly merciful to those who turn to it with requests for help. The icon “Hearing” is considered a symbol of listening to prayers and protection from evil.
Troparion, Tone 3
Thy intercession, O Mistress, is our assurance of Thy mercy, and Thy icon, “The Hearer,” hath appeared unto us, before Whom we pour out our souls in prayer and cry unto Thee with faith: behold, O Merciful One, Thy people, and heal all our sorrows and troubles, and send unto our hearts a good comfort, and quickly hear our supplications, and obtain for us eternal salvation, O Most Pure One.
Kondak, Tone 3
Today, O Mistress, the venerable Cosmas hath approached Thy icon with prayer, and hath been quickly heard by Thee, and hath rendered unto Thee unceasing praise. And may the Lord grant unto us, who flee unto Thy sacred protection, forgiveness of sins and great mercy.
Kondak 1
Thou art the most chosen of all the generations of God, O Mother of God and Queen, who dost unceasingly pray for us at the throne of Thy Son, and we, with gratitude, offer hymns unto Thee with love. Thou, as the All-merciful Intercessor of all who approach Thee with faith, dost free us from all our troubles, and we cry unto Thee:
Rejoice, O All-blessed Mistress, swift Hearer of our supplications.
Icos 1
The angelic host in heaven doth unceasingly hymn Thee, O Mistress, and we, who approach Thy icon, called “The Hearer,” do cry unto Thee from the depths of our heart:
Rejoice, for the angelic host doth rejoice at Thee, and the human race doth rejoice at Thee.
Rejoice, for Thy glory doth surpass the praises of heaven and earth.
Rejoice, for Thou dost send Thy mercy unto us through Thy wondrous icons.
Rejoice, O All-blessed Mistress, our Guide, who dost draw us unto Thyself with love.
Rejoice, Thou who dost bestow great mercies and kindness upon those who love Thee.
Rejoice, Thou who art the swift Intercessor of all who call upon Thee.
Rejoice, O All-blessed Mistress, swift Hearer of our supplications.
Kondak 2
Beholding, O All-immaculate One, the good intention of the venerable Cosmas, who cried unto Thee, “O Holy Virgin! Pray unto Thy Son and God, that He may guide me on the path of salvation!”, Thou didst graciously manifest Thy intercession before Thy Son, and didst grant unto Him to hymn Thee:
Alleluia
Icos 2
Understanding the counsel of God concerning himself, the venerable Cosmas, in a divine voice, didst cry unto Thee, O Most Merciful One, from Thy icon: “O Son and God of mine! Teach Thy servant Cosmas how he may be saved!”, and didst cry unto Thee, O Good Hearer of our supplications, with a heart full of compassion:
Rejoice, O Mother of the Light of Eternal Day and the habitation of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, Thou who art the unwithering Flower of incorruption and the delight of the angelic powers.
Rejoice, Thou who art the swift Hearer of those who cry unto Thee with fervor.
Rejoice, Thou who art the unashamed hope of those who approach Thee.
Rejoice, Thou who dost bestow countless mercies upon all who are merciful.
Rejoice, Thou who art the Cup of the divine delights, and dost comfort us with spiritual joy.
Rejoice, O All-blessed Mistress, swift Hearer of our supplications.
Condak 3
By the power of the Most High and Thy benevolence, O Mistress, the holy Cosmas, fortified, when he heard Thy supplication, responded with the voice of his Creator: “Let him serve Me in silence!”; thank Him for His gracious concern for himself in a hymn:
Alleluia
Icos 3
Having such a Guardian of our salvation and an inexhaustible source of heavenly gifts, the monks of the Holy Mountain of Athos, approaching Thy wondrous image, “Hearer”, thus, with grateful lips, cry out to Thee, O Mother of God:
Rejoice, O All-Pure One, by Your lot having designated the Mountain of Athos.
Rejoice, O Immaculate One, having adorned this Holy Mountain with many miracles.
Rejoice, O All-Holy One, having soon heard the prayer of Thy servant Cosmas.
Rejoice, O Mistress, not rejecting our fervent supplications.
Rejoice, O All-Holy One, having granted Thy holy icon as a help to the faithful.
Rejoice, O Mistress, having glorified this with signs and miracles.
Rejoice, O All-Beneficent Mistress, swift Hearer of our supplications.
Condak 4
Having a tempest of troublesome thoughts within, the venerable Cosmas marveled, seeing the Mistress of royal beauty in the Vatopedi monastery, who herself, with authority, gives various commands in the church and refectory. Having known in her the Queen of Heaven, caring for the inhabitants of the monastery, with joy of heart, he cried out to God:
Alleluia
Icos 4
Having heard of the wonder of the swift hearing of the prayer of Thy servant by the All-Pure Mother of God, the monks of the Holy Mountain of Athos rejoiced, seeing a new manifestation of Thy mercy, O Mother of God. Therefore, we thankfully cry out to Thee thus:
Rejoice, O Mistress, zealous for us in both temporal and eternal things.
Rejoice, O Mistress, opening the doors of the Kingdom of Christ to the faithful.
Rejoice, O Mistress, raising us to Heaven by Thy love.
Rejoice, O Mistress, inclining the benevolence of Thy Son towards us.
Rejoice, O Mistress, fulfilling the abundance of God’s mercy and love.
Rejoice, O Mistress, swift Hearer of those crying out to Thee.
Rejoice, O All-Beneficent Mistress, swift Hearer of our supplications.
Condak 5
O Star of God, most holy icon of the Theotokos, “Hearing,” appear to us, dispelling the darkness of our sorrows and the mist of all afflictions from our hearts, and guiding us on the path of salvation, all who come to you with faith and cry out to God:
Alleluia
Icos 5
Beholding the streams of wonders flowing from your holy icon, the holy monks of the Holy Mountain of Athos and the surrounding regions hasten to venerate her. You, O Most Merciful One, generously bestow your gifts of mercy from your wondrous image, and we, with gratitude, cry out to you:
Rejoice, our joy and consolation.
Rejoice, our shelter and protection.
Rejoice, healing of our bodily and spiritual infirmities.
Rejoice, softening our hearts with your love.
Rejoice, delivering us from the fall of sin.
Rejoice, elevating our minds to heaven.
Rejoice, swift hearer of our prayers, O Most Merciful Lady.
Condak 6
We hymn your wondrous mercy towards us, O Most Holy Lady, and your great condescension, for you do not cease to pray for us, sinners, before the throne of your Son and our God, that He may turn away His righteous anger from us and have mercy on all who cry out to Him with faith:
Alleluia
Icos 6
A light of consolation shines in our souls, darkened by sorrow and despair, and our hearts are filled with joy and gladness when you, O Most Merciful Lady, instruct us to cry out to the bountiful God, that He may be merciful to us, sinners, and forgive our sins. Do not be silent, O Lady, praying for us who call out to you with longing:
Rejoice, transforming our sorrow into joy.
Rejoice, pouring out an unspeakable sweetness on the faithful.
Rejoice, giving us the light of spiritual insight.
Rejoice, comfort and solace of those who suffer.
Rejoice, teaching us patience in afflictions and tribulations.
Rejoice, covering us with your merciful protection.
Rejoice, swift hearer of our prayers, O Most Merciful Lady.
Kondak 7
Though the tokens of Thy mercies and bounties are revealed through Thy icon, the Hearer, not only in the Holy Mountain of Athos, but also in similar new beacons of light, in other cities and in all places, Thou hast glorified, that we, Thy children, may cry out to Thee, O Son of God, and be saved from afflictions:
Alleluia
Icos 7
We behold a new wonder of Thy mercy, O Pure One, in the appearance of the miraculous image of Thyself, to which those who approach it and pray for help are directed and instructed by Thee, and we cry out to Thee:
Rejoice, Thou warm Intercessor for those living in the lot of Thy Holy Mountain of Athos.
Rejoice, Thou Provider of all blessings for those dwelling here.
Rejoice, Thou Savior of those calling upon Thee from every place.
Rejoice, Thou Protector from all afflictions and calamities.
Rejoice, Thou Who hast granted power to Thy icons to work miracles.
Rejoice, Thou Who dost comfort us with Thy countenance.
Rejoice, O All-Blessed Mistress, Thou swift Hearer of our prayers.
Kondak 8
It is strange and incomprehensible to unbelievers to hear, O Mother of the King of Heaven, how faithful people, with their eyes and souls full of devotion, gaze upon Thy holy icon and are delivered from afflictions and preserved from calamities. We, however, listening to Thy word, O Mistress, spoken to Thy first-written icon: “May the grace of Him who was born of Me and My icon be with this one,” – believe that this icon of Thine, “The Hearer,” pours forth Thy grace. Therefore, we reverently bow down and kiss it, crying out to God:
Alleluia
Icos 8
For all the faithful, it is a comfort to behold Thy holy icon, O Mistress, on which we see Thee holding in Thy hand the hand of the Eternal Infant, our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we bow down in a manner befitting His Son and God, and to Thee, O true Theotokos, we say with devotion:
Rejoice, Thou All-Ruler of the heavenly and earthly realms.
Rejoice, Thou Mistress of Heaven and Earth.
Rejoice, Thou First Guide to Heaven.
Rejoice, Thou Our Zealous Guardian, with the Angel Guardian.
Rejoice, Thou Who dost name Thy children as Thy own, loving the Son.
Rejoice, Thou Who dost make our prayers acceptable to God.
Rejoice, O All-Blessed Mistress, Thou swift Hearer of our prayers.
Condak 9
Thou hast revealed Thyself as the most exalted of the angelic nature, O Most Holy Virgin, for Thou didst conceive God, Who is beyond containment, within Thy womb. Therefore, all generations bless Thee, O Blessed Mary, Mother of God, for Thy name is extolled from the East to the West. Monastics, in particular, invoke Thee as their Protectress, and those who strive in Thy lot, especially the monks of the Holy Mountain of Athos, who have been blessed by Thy special favor, do manifest many wonders and reveal Thy abundant mercies to its inhabitants, that they may give thanks to God for Thee:
Alleluia
Icos 9
The venerable humanity is perplexed as to how to extol Thy glory, O Mistress, and the manifestation of Thy icons and the wondrous miracles wrought by Thee, which are poured forth upon the faithful. We, however, seeing the countless miracles wrought by Thee, and beholding Thee in Thy icon, rejoice with soul and heart, and say to Thee:
Rejoice, Thou who dost pour forth upon us the blessed gift of Thy mercy.
Rejoice, Thou who dost grant us spiritual solace.
Rejoice, Thou who dost reign on high and dost not forsake us.
Rejoice, Thou who dost order our earthly life for our benefit.
Rejoice, Thou who dost open to us the gates of Paradise through our repentance.
Rejoice, Thou who dost illuminate our souls with eternal joy.
Rejoice, Thou who art the speedy hearer of our supplications, O All-Blessed Mistress.
Condak 10
Desiring to save humanity from the afflictions and diseases that beset them, Thou hast granted us, O Mistress, the icon of Thy All-Hearing, which we venerate, beholding the mercy that Thou dost manifest through it, and we cry out to God, our Father, who hath adopted us through the Cross, and hath given us such a Guide to lead us to Heaven:
Alleluia
Icos 10
Thou art a bulwark of protection, O Most Blessed Virgin, and a strong pillar against the enemy for all the righteous who strive in piety. For Thou hast been given great power against the dark forces of the adversary. Therefore, the faithful, in harmony with Thee, cry out:
Rejoice, Thou who dost encompass the entire Christian world with the maternal love of Thy heart.
Rejoice, Thou who art filled with compassion for the afflicted.
Rejoice, Thou who dost guide the faithful on the path of salvation.
Rejoice, Thou who dost direct our lives towards piety and chastity.
Rejoice, Thou who dost watch over the monasteries with unwavering vigilance.
Rejoice, Thou who dost protect the homes and families of the righteous with unwavering care.
Rejoice, Thou who art the speedy hearer of our supplications, O All-Blessed Mistress.
Kondak 11
Our hymn, unworthy of the glorious praise of Your mercies, O Most Blessed One, yet offered to You from the fullness of love and zeal, do not despise and turn away from us, the unworthy, but help us, O All-Blessed One, to be cleansed by repentance from the stain of sins and to attain to the virtues and a life pleasing to God, that, remembering Your countless miracles, we may cry out to the Supreme Creator of wonders, God:
Alleluia
Icos 11
Your holy icon shines forth with radiant beams of wonder, O Most Merciful Mistress, and enlightens the whole Christian world with blessings, driving out every hostile action by the power of God, emanating from it. For this reason, the ancient churches come to it in reverence, lamenting and singing hymns of praise:
Rejoice, Your hands, stretched out to the Lord for us.
Rejoice, praying ceaselessly for us.
Rejoice, an inexhaustible source of healings for the afflicted.
Rejoice, a speedy remedy for those weakened in body and spirit.
Rejoice, never leaving the faithful in need.
Rejoice, teaching us to place our hope in God in all things.
Rejoice, O All-Blessed Mistress, swift Answerer of our prayers.
Kondak 12
The grace of God, which is imparted to Your icon, O Answerer of Prayers, attracts to it all those who are sorrowful and burdened, and they do not depart from this source of Your mercies and kindnesses: in sorrows, they find comfort; in afflictions, protection; in illnesses, healing, and they give thanks to Your Son and God, singing a hymn of praise:
Alleluia
Icos 12
Singing Your wonders, O Mistress, we praise You as the Living Fountain of Grace, as an inexhaustible river of wonders, and, approaching Your holy icon with fervent zeal, we kiss it with heartfelt love and pray to You: look upon us with Your mercy, O humbly offering You these hymns:
Rejoice, O Good Helper of the Afflicted.
Rejoice, swift Answerer of those who pray.
Rejoice, clothing us in the radiant garment of purity.
Rejoice, preparing us for the meeting with Christ the Bridegroom.
Rejoice, standing as a defense before God at the fearful Judgment of Christ.
Rejoice, helping us to enter the bridal chamber of Your Son and our God.
Rejoice, O All-Blessed Mistress, swift Answerer of our prayers.
Kontakion 13
O Most gracious Mother of the Sweetest Lord our Jesus Christ, who has been named the Hearer in Thy holy icon! Accept mercifully this small prayer of ours and fulfill our petitions in good things, grant us all that which is necessary for life and godliness, deliver us from distress, illnesses, and sorrow, and make us all heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, truthfully crying out to God:
Alleluia
(This kontakion is read three times, followed by ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Prayer
O Well-blessed Lady, Ever-Virgin Theotokos, swift Hearer of all who flee to Thee with faith! Look down from the height of Thy celestial majesty upon us, who cling to Thy wondrous image, and, having heard our humble prayer, entreat Thy Son and our God that He may preserve our land in peace and prosperity, to strengthen the Orthodox Church and to keep it unshaken from unbelief, heresies, and schism. Deliver, O All-gracious, all who pray to Thee with faith from sinful falls, from the schemes of evil men, from afflictions, sorrows, and illnesses; grant us a spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, the correction of our sinful life, and the abandonment of our transgressions; that we all, joyfully singing Thy greatness, may be made worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom and there with all the saints may glorify the venerable and magnificent name of God, glorified in the Trinity: Father and Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD “THE HEARER”
Information regarding the Athonite icon of “The Hearer” can be found in the life of Venerable Cosmas of Zographos, who labored on Mount Athos in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The hagiography describes an instance from the early years of the monastic life of Venerable Cosma, when the Heavenly Queen was pleased to show him with eyes Her touching care for the inhabitants of the monastery. Venerable Cosma, who labored in the Zographos monastery, once came to the Vatopedes monastery for the feast of the Annunciation. There he saw in the church a Woman of royal beauty and majesty, who herself administered everything in the church during the service, as well as at the refectory.
Cosma wondered how a woman had come here to Athos, where the foot of no woman had ever stepped, and why the monks allowed Her presence there. Reflecting upon this, he returned to Zographos to his elder. Telling of what he saw at the feast, he sincerely recounted all his doubts and reflections regarding the matter. “What did this Wife look like? What garment was upon Her?” his spiritual father asked him. And when Cosma described Her, the elder noted with a sigh: “Didst truly not recognize what Wife appeared to thee in the monastery dedicated to the Divine Mary? This was no simple mortal woman, but the Queen herself of our Holy Mountain and all creation!”
After some time, remaining alone after the conclusion of the service in the temple, Venerable Cosma stopped before the icon of the Mother of God. Wishing to receive guidance from the Lord regarding the further course of his monastic life, he turned with fervent prayer to the Mother of God: “O Most Holy Theotokos! Pray to Thy Son and God, that He may guide me to the path of salvation!” As soon as he spoke this, he heard the voice of the Mother of God: “My Son and God! Teach Thy servant Cosma how he may be saved.” And immediately followed the answer to this prayer: “Let him depart the monastery into silence.”
And Cosma followed this heavenly revelation. To fulfill such divine will, having received the blessing from his abbot, he withdrew to a neighboring desert, carved himself a cave in the rock, and spent here his entire life in constant monastic labors. For the purity of his life and strict fasts, the wondrous hermit was granted by God the gift of wonder-working. The icon before which the Saint Cosma prayed and from which he heard the voice, was named “The Hearer.” Truly great is the love of the Heavenly Queen for the monks of the Holy Mountain, and Her touching maternal care for their needs. This image of the Mother of God remains now in the cathedral church of the Zographos monastery and is placed in the altar.
Many copies were made from the Athonite icon of “The Hearer,”