The Akathist to the Mother of God before Her Icon ‘Unburnable Bush’ is a prayerful hymn that helps to deepen one’s understanding and reverence for the Mother of God, who is the source of light and protection for all believers. Reading this akathist helps to strengthen faith and revive spirituality, especially during difficult times.
Тропарь, глас 4
Who was seen in the unburning bush of fire by Moses of old, prefiguring the mystery of His Incarnation from the chasteless Virgin Mary; the same One, even now, as the Wondermaker of Miracles and the Creator of all created things, hath glorified Her holy icon with many wonders, granting it to the faithful for healing of ailments and protection from fiery inflammation. For this reason we cry out to the Most Blessed: Hope of Christians, deliver us from cruel mercors, fire, and thunder by Thee, in whom we trust.
Кондак, глас 8
O unburning bush, seen by Moses of old, prefiguring the mystery of His Incarnation from the chasteless Virgin Mary; the same One, even now, as the Wondermaker of Miracles and the Creator of all created things, hath glorified Her holy icon with many wonders, granting it to the faithful for healing of ailments and protection from fiery inflammation. For this reason we cry out to the Most Blessed: Hope of Christians, deliver us from cruel mercors, fire, and thunder by Thee, in whom we trust.
Кондак 1
O unburning bush, seen by Moses of old, prefiguring the mystery of His Incarnation from the chasteless Virgin Mary; the same One, even now, as the Wondermaker of Miracles and the Creator of all created things, hath glorified Her holy icon with many wonders, granting it to the faithful for healing of ailments and protection from fiery inflammation. For this reason we cry out to the Most Blessed: Hope of Christians, deliver us from cruel mercors, fire, and thunder by Thee, in whom we trust.
Икос 1
Queen of Angels and Lady of all created things, O Theotokos, receiving praiseworthy from angelic ranks, enable us, earthly and lowly, to offer unto Thee songs of praise and thanksgiving. And as we are unworthy to sing Thee according to our merit, O Good One, do not despise our unintended prayers, but just as Thy Son graciously accepted the two mites of the widow, so hear and answer us, who cry out unto Thee with devotion:
For this reason we cry out to the Most Blessed: Hope of Christians, deliver us from cruel mercors, fire, and thunder by Thee, in whom we trust.
Condak 2
Beholding Moses on Mount Sinai, a burning bush that was not consumed by fire, he trembled with awe, and a divine voice spoke to him from the bush: “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy.” Hearing this, we, humble ones, confess the mystery of the incarnation of the Word of God from the Immaculate Virgin, a wondrous, unapproachable bush, and with reverence, we worship the place of God’s manifestation, invoking the Creator of all things:
Alleluia
Icos 2
The human mind cannot comprehend the mystery of God’s gaze, which, from the creation of the world, predetermined the redemption of fallen humanity, foreordained in the eternal counsel of the Trihypostatic Godhead. However, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the holy prophets, foreseeing the wonder of wonders, announced that the Creator, who is a servant, would receive the form of a servant, and would save His own work from eternal destruction, proclaiming the prototypes and prophecies that would be fulfilled by the Redeemer, who was promised to humanity. You, O All-Pure One, having received flesh from Him, were made the Mother of Your Lord, teaching us to invoke You:
Rejoice, fiery throne of the One Sitting on the Cherubim.
Rejoice, radiant ark of the Serafim, who are commanded.
Rejoice, throne of the Great King, above the heavenly mountain.
Rejoice, throne, inhabited by the One who possesses the heavens and the earth.
Rejoice, holy of holies, greater than all.
Rejoice, golden censer, in which the saving manna was prepared, the Flesh and Blood of the Divine Lamb.
Rejoice, Immaculate Cup, which frees us from the fiery passion.
Condak 3
By the power of the Most High, O Most Benevolent Lady, you subdue the power of fire with your holy icon and perform many wonders throughout the world. Therefore, the Christian people praise You with hymns of praise, and in times of sudden affliction, they turn to You with prayer, receiving help from You at the right time. For this reason, we give thanks to the King of Glory, who has glorified You:
Alleluia
Icos 3
Having a great love for humanity, redeemed by the chaste Blood of Your Son and God, O Most Pure Mother, You received from Him the power to build and protect the Christian people. You are the advocate of sinners, their hope of salvation, a speedy help for the afflicted, a powerful intercessor for the dead, and a protector of the entire world. To You, our merciful and benevolent intercessor, we offer thanks, humbly saying:
Rejoice, O universal joy, from whom tears are wiped away from the eyes of the afflicted and sorrowful.
Rejoice, refuge of the righteous, in whom those who are tossed about by the stormy waves of life are saved.
Rejoice, O all-powerful comforter, who rightly moves the wrath of God upon us.
Rejoice, O flame that extinguishes the fire of passion with the dew of Your prayers at the throne of the Almighty.
Rejoice, O protector, who shields us from thunder and lightning by Your intercession.
Rejoice, O help, who provides Your holy aid to every soul that prays to You with faith.
Rejoice, Immaculate Cup, which frees us from the fiery passion.
Condak 4
When a fiery storm suddenly finds us and the flame of hail and the weight of our sins besets us, then, O All-Merciful Lady, hasten to our aid, helpless as we are, and with Your holy icon protect and deliver us from the fiery punishment which we have deserved through our sins, for You, O shameless Intercessor, are our hope, and upon You we place our trust, and, extolling the power of Your prayers, we call upon You, born of You, O Christ God:
Alleluia
Icos 4
We hear and see great wonders, O our All-Blessed Queen, which are wrought through Your icon, which You have given us as a consolation and protection in times of misfortune; for behold, the all-consuming fire is subdued in its power before the power of Your holy image, as we have often seen and experienced, and we call You, O Immaculate Lamb, in the representation of this Your image, and before it, we sing hymns of praise to You thus:
Rejoice, O Intercessor who never slumbers to Christ God, who bends the mercy of God towards us.
Rejoice, O one who turns away the judgment of God from our heads because of our sins.
Rejoice, O one who preserves us with Your holy cloak from all misfortunes.
Rejoice, O Motherly protector who guards our dwelling place with the riches of Your mercy from fire and thunder.
Rejoice, O All-Merciful Hearer of the voices of our supplications in times of sorrow and affliction.
Rejoice, O our swift Helper in times of great tribulation.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Immaculate Lamb, who delivers us from the fiery conflagration.
Condak 5
O Star of God, Your holy icon shines forth with a multitude of wonders, blessing and enlightening human souls and hearts to know Your great mercy, by which You cover and protect the Christian race, O merciful Mother. Rejoicing in this, we thank Christ God, Your Son, who has given You to us as our Mother in the flesh, and to us as our Mother in the Spirit, and we call upon Him in deep humility:
Alleluia
Icos 5
We see Your icon, O our Lady, as truly the unapproachable fire, which is not consumed by flames, and by Your presence, You make human dwellings unburnable; for You have been given the gift from above to subdue the power of fire, O Immaculate Lamb, who in Your womb received the fire of the Divinity unapproachably. And through this gift, Your holy image has been shown to be partaken of, and thus it has been called the Unapproachable Fire, which we venerate with reverence and hymn You thus:
Rejoice, O unquenchable lamp, who ever prays for us at the Throne of God.
Rejoice, O one who kindles the fire of God’s love and warms our cold hearts.
Rejoice, O one who cools the heat of our passions with the shadow of Your prayers.
Rejoice, O one who sends us helpful thoughts in times of sorrow and perplexity.
Rejoice, O one who hastens to our aid in our time of helplessness, when we are afflicted and have no helper.
Rejoice, O one who, with Your mighty hand, delivers us from destruction in times of sudden misfortune.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Immaculate Lamb, who delivers us from the fiery conflagration.
Kondak 6
Thou dost proclaim, O All-Praised One, the wonders of Christ’s Church, which are as the sands of the sea and the stars of the heavens in multitude: from the East to the West, Thy name is glorified in wonders, and there is no city or land where Thy divine work of salvation, enlightenment, and healing of the faithful has not been accomplished, especially through Thy sacred icons, whereby Thou dost pour forth streams of mercy and compassion upon the afflicted and suffering humanity. For this reason, we hymn Thee with the voices of spiritual songs and cry out to Thy Son and our God:
Alleluia
Icos 6
Thou hast shone forth in the radiance of divine glory, O Virgin Theotokos, holding in Thy hand the Pre-eternal Lord Jesus Christ, the Infant, and surrounded by the Angelic Host, as we behold Thee depicted on the icon, O Moses’ Burning Bush, mysteriously named, from which Thou dost bestow blessed gifts upon the faithful, rescuing them from fire and thunder, healing the sick, comforting the sorrowful, and sending forth all manner of good and spiritual benefit upon all, that we may thus pray to Thee with unceasing voices:
Rejoice, O Thou in Whom the Angelic Host and the human race rejoice and triumph.
Rejoice, Whose glory surpasses earthly and heavenly praise.
Rejoice, Who from on high dost behold the universe with maternal love.
Rejoice, Who dost visit the sorrowful earth with Thy merciful deeds.
Rejoice, Who with Thy boundless goodness dost not forsake the despised and the outcast.
Rejoice, Who with Thy heart’s compassion dost deliver those on the brink of perdition.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburning Bush, Who dost deliver us from the fiery passion.
Kondak 7
Although the Lord hath revealed His love to humanity, redeemed by His Blood, He hath given us in a shelter and protection His Most Pure Mother, and hath made this a refuge for every Christian soul, sorrowful and troubled, seeking help and mercy. Guided by Thy merciful service to humanity, O All-Gracious Mistress, we lift up our eyes to Thee in our sorrows and stretch out our hands in supplication, beseeching Thee alone for consolation, that Thou mayest save us from the sorrows of time and eternity through Thy intercession, and enable us to praise God on earth with the saints in joy:
Alleluia
Ikos 7
Thou hast glorified in a wondrous manner Thy sacred icon, O Theotokos, the Unburnable and Unapproachable, by which Thou dost preserve cities and villages from the fiery and thunderous storm, and dost bless the homes of the faithful, wherein the revered likeness of Thy countenance is venerated. For this reason, we joyfully receive Thy blessed icon as a precious gift, and with due reverence, we worship Thee and offer Thee these hymns of praise:
Rejoice, O icon of healing, who dost contain the remedy for every affliction.
Rejoice, O bringer of Christ’s fragrance, who hast perfumed fallen humanity.
Rejoice, O one who dost release the bonds of sin for repentant sinners.
Rejoice, O conqueror of the passions, who dost crush the chains of those who strive for purity.
Rejoice, O gentle nurse of the young, and peaceful comfort of mothers.
Rejoice, O patroness of the widows, and gracious protector of orphans.
Rejoice, O blessed one, Unburnable and Unapproachable, who dost deliver us from the fiery conflagration.
Kondak 8
It is a strange and wondrous thing to behold Thy icon, O Mistress, which, though painted on wood and subject to its natural properties, doth reveal a power beyond nature, and, by Thy presence, doth temper the fire. Recognizing in this the power of God and the efficacy of Thy prayers, we magnify and glorify the Creator of all, who hath given us Thy icon as a source of comfort and solace, and who, through it, doth save us from the fiery conflagration. Let us, therefore, give thanks to Him with gratitude and praise:
Alleluia
Ikos 8
The whole Christian world doth praise Thy name, O Most Blessed Mary, Theotokos, and it is sweet and comforting for every faithful soul to behold the revered likeness of Thy countenance, by which Thou dost manifest many and wondrous miracles. Beholding Thy sacred icon, we, humble and unworthy, do worship it with reverence, and kiss it with love, hoping for Thy aid and protection, especially in times of our helplessness, when, on account of our sins, the fiery conflagration doth suddenly find us. May we, delivered by Thee from the deadly flames, offer Thee thanks with grateful voices:
Rejoice, O uncreated veil of God the Word, who dost surpass the Cherubim and excel the Seraphim in holiness and purity.
Rejoice, O gentle cloud of the Sun of Truth, who hast brought the heavenly to the earthly, that Thou mayest raise us to heaven with Thee.
Rejoice, O heavenly gates, who hast opened for fallen humanity the gates of paradise through Thy holy birth.
Rejoice, O heaven and earth, who hast united in one, and who dost offer to Thee and to Him who was born of Thee, unceasing hymns of praise.
Rejoice, O divine fountain, who hast given forth the water of life, from which those who drink thereof shall not die.
Rejoice, O blessed vine of salvation, who hast brought forth the cluster of grapes, from which the man who drinks shall not die.
Rejoice, O blessed one, Unburnable and Unapproachable, who dost deliver us from the fiery conflagration.
Kondak 9
Thy glory, O Most Blessed and Most Praised Mother of our Lord, surpasses all praise. The minds of the bodiless and the thoughts of the rational creatures are perplexed in contemplating Thee, yet it is not fitting for us, who are earthly and mortal, to comprehend this. Nevertheless, overcome by love for Thee, we dare to offer Thee a humble hymn of praise and thanksgiving for Thy boundless mercy towards the human race, which Thou hast loved and continue to benefit, guiding every age of the faithful to invoke Thy Son, who was born of Thee:
Alleluia
Icos 9
The human mind is unable to grasp the great mystery of Thy Virginity, O Mother of God, which the Lord has hidden from the wise of this age and revealed to the humble and devout through faith. Thou dost proclaim Thyself to be the Virgin in the Nativity, and after the Nativity, and even after the Nativity. Receive, therefore, O Mother and Virgin, our heartfelt confession and strengthen us to follow Thee in a life of purity and in the integrity of our hearts, that we may be able to sing to Thee hymns of praise that are worthy:
Rejoice, O Crown of Snowy Virginity and Purity, forever blooming flower.
Rejoice, O Virgin, guiding the lives of the living in secret.
Rejoice, O Mother, mysteriously combining virginity and motherhood within Thyself.
Rejoice, O One who has preserved Thyself inviolate and holy in both.
Rejoice, O Leader of the holy lives of monks and nuns.
Rejoice, O Commander of the companies of virgins, guiding them in the purity of soul and body.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Protectress of the Unburnable, freeing us from the fiery passion.
Kondak 10
By Thy will, O Most Holy Lady, the Saviour of humanity was incarnated from Thee, the Only-Begotten Son of the Trinity, who, by taking on human nature, glorified it by sitting at the right hand of the Father on the throne of the Godhead, as the Son of God, and who, in His goodness, has not forgotten the human race, but intercedes for them with the Creator, in the Trinity, One in essence, for the hymn of praise that is sung to Him by all the faithful:
Alleluia
Icos 10
Thou art a wall of protection, O Mother of God, with Thy virgin body, and a sanctuary for all the devout who hasten to Thee in prayer, and those who venerate Thy holy icon with reverence. For to Thee alone has been given the gift of universal intercession and the protection of the faithful in their virginity and purity. Therefore, those who guard the integrity of their lives flee to Thy maternal protection from the storm of passions and find spiritual consolation, praying to Thee in harmony:
Rejoice, O most excellent Protectress of monks and nuns, and warm intercessor for them with God.
Rejoice, O Ever-present Helper of the hidden servants of God in the world.
Rejoice, O Guide of the young in the virtue of chastity and self-control.
Rejoice, O Comforter of the elderly, and rest for the devout.
Rejoice, O One who bestows Thy blessing upon Christian households and families.
Rejoice, O One who grants Thy benevolent care to all ages of the faithful.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Protectress of the Unburnable, freeing us from the fiery passion.
Condak 11
The hymn of praise is offered to You unceasingly, O All-Holy Theotokos, by the Holy Church of Christ, proclaiming Your mercies and wonders, by which the whole universe is enriched. Truly, who is as You, swift to respond to our supplications? But even before our petitions, You have been accustomed to provide, mercifully and graciously assisting those in need of Your holy aid, and not leaving us, humble ones, in this hour, singing in praise of Your name and crying out to God:
Alleluia
Icos 11
Your icon, O All-Pure Mother of God, shining with divine light, illuminates our souls, darkened by sin, with the radiance of Your divine wonders, in which we come to know the power of God’s omnipotence and Your immeasurable mercy, ever ready to assist us in repentance and conversion from evil deeds to the path of salvation. We beseech You, O All-Beneficent One: do not leave us to be led astray in the wilderness of sins and passions, but bring us to the peaceful harbor of righteous and God-pleasing living, that we may be able to offer You these hymnal gifts worthily:
Rejoice, O invisible enemies, who are thwarted by Your powerful prayer.
Rejoice, O One who does not permit them to exercise dominion over us through this mortal body.
Rejoice, O One whose holy name is feared and trembled at by demons.
Rejoice, O One whose holy icon expels every power of the devil.
Rejoice, O One who strengthens the righteous in spiritual struggles against their enemies.
Rejoice, O One who assists those departing this life with love and faith in You.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnable Cup, who delivers us from the fiery passion.
Condak 12
We confess Your holy icon, O All-Beneficent Maiden, to be partaker of God’s grace, and we joyfully celebrate the feast of Your appearance: in the form of the unburnable bush, You have appeared, and Your deeds show forth Your presence, preserving and safeguarding our dwellings from the fiery flame. Therefore, we, as Your powerful helper, praise You with hymns and thanksgiving, and we cry out to You, O Savior born of You:
Alleluia
Icos 12
We sing to You, O Theotokos, our sole hope and expectation, proclaiming Your mercies and not hiding Your wonders, praising Your boundless goodness to the Christian people, blessing Your holy name, which is indeed the oil of peace poured out for those who love You, filling the hearts of the devout with spiritual fragrance. Bless us, O Lady, who are polluted by the stench of sinful passions, and enable us to cry out to You with pure hearts and undefiled lips:
Rejoice, O Source of sweet and soul-saving myrrh, by which the hearts of those who love You are anointed.
Rejoice, O Benefactress, who heals both spiritual and bodily ailments with a single touch of Your holy icon.
Rejoice, O Good Guide, who directs the repentant sinners to the path of worship and salvation.
Rejoice, O Ladder of Virtues, who raises the holy ascetics to the gates of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Rejoice, O Comforter of the humble and patient sufferers, who crowns them with spiritual consolation.
Rejoice, O Comforter of the wrongfully exiled and persecuted, who anticipates for them the bliss of the heavenly kingdom.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnable Cup, who delivers us from the fiery passion.
Condak 13
O All-Pure Mother, who hast given birth to all the saints by the Most Holy Word and the Unapproachable Light, we, unworthy ones, invoke Thy name. Hearken unto the voice of our supplications and hymns, which we offer unto Thee with fervent devotion before Thy holy icon, and by Thy warm intercession, deliver us from the Lord of time and eternity, whom we praise and glorify, and to Thy Son and our God, we cry out: Alleluia.
(This condak is read thrice, followed by ikos 1 and condak 1).
Molitva
O Most Holy and Most Blessed Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ! We approach and bow down before Thy holy and venerable icon, through which Thou dost work wondrous and glorious deeds, saving us from the fiery conflagration and the lightning-like thunder, healing the afflicted, and fulfilling every good petition of ours for our benefit. We humbly beseech Thee, O All-Powerful Patroness of our race: grant us, weak and sinful, the benefit of Thy maternal intercession and protection. Save and preserve, O Lady, under the shelter of Thy mercy, the Holy Church, defend this land of ours, which is Orthodox, and all of us who approach Thee with faith and love, and with tears of contrition, beseeching Thy intercession. O Most Merciful Lady! Have mercy on us, who are overwhelmed by many sins and have no boldness to ask Christ our Lord for pardon and forgiveness, but we offer Thee to Him as an intercessor, Mother of His flesh; and Thou, O All-Beneficent One, stretch forth Thy hands, which are full of divine compassion, and intercede for us before His goodness, beseeching forgiveness of our sins, a virtuous, peaceful life, a Christian death, and a good answer at the fearful Judgment of His. In the hour of the Lord’s terrible visitation, if our houses are set aflame by fire, or if we are terrified by the lightning-like thunder, show us Thy merciful intercession and powerful assistance, that, delivered by Thy mighty prayers, we may escape the temporal punishment of God here, and inherit the eternal bliss of the heavenly kingdom there, and with all the saints, we shall sing the glorious and magnificent name of the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and Thy great mercy towards us, for all the ages. Amen.