The Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Icon ‘The Unfathomable Chalice’ is a prayerful text that helps us to deepen our understanding of the significance of this icon and its place in our spiritual life. The icon ‘The Unfathomable Chalice’ symbolizes the boundless love of God and its ability to satisfy all our needs.
Kondak 1
We have been granted a most excellent and wondrous aid, O Most Holy Theotokos, in the form of Thy venerable image, whereby, by its appearance, we are delivered from the afflictions of the soul and body, and from the sorrows that beset us. We offer Thee grateful hymns, O All-merciful Intercessor, for Thou, O Lady, dost condescend to our sighs and the heartfelt cry of our souls, and dost grant healing to those who suffer, that we may call upon Thee with faith:
Rejoice, O Lady, Unfailing Cup, quenching our spiritual thirst.
Icos 1
The choirs of angels and the assembly of the righteous never cease to hymn Thee, O Queen and Mother of God, Intercessor for the human race, plunged as we are in iniquity and beset by sin. Thou dost grant us, as a consolation and a salvation, Thy mercy through Thy wondrous icons, which shine like stars throughout the land. We, approaching one of these images, O Unfailing Cup, do cry out to Thee from the depths of our heart:
Rejoice, O habitation of the inaccessible Divinity;
Rejoice, O unceasing wonder of humanity.
Rejoice, O purifier of our sins through sufferings;
Rejoice, O healer of our infirmities through sorrows.
Rejoice, O sender of Thy mercy upon us from above;
Rejoice, O comforter of our sorrowful hearts.
Rejoice, O mediator of our reconciliation with God;
Rejoice, O known deliverance from eternal sufferings.
Rejoice, O Lady, Unfailing Cup, quenching our spiritual thirst.
Kondak 2
Beholding, O Most Holy Lady, the heart sorrows, the soul torments, and the sincere repentance of men, who are enslaved by the deadly vice of drunkenness, Thou didst deign to grant Thy mercy to the city of Sergyev Posad through the appearance of Thy wondrous image, that all, approaching it with faith and a contrite heart, may obtain healing from their grievous affliction, and with fervent voice cry out to God:
Alleluia
Icos 2
Having learned of the triple appearance of the venerable Varlaam and his command to proceed to the city of Sergyev Posad, a certain man, enslaved by the passion of drunkenness, found in the monastery an icon of Thine, O Unfailing Cup. We, beholding this care for us, sinful men, do hymn Thee with reverence:
Rejoice, O revealer of Thy wonders to sinners;
Rejoice, O Guide, showing the good path to men.
Rejoice, O attractor of us to salvation;
Rejoice, O teacher of gratitude.
Rejoice, O transformer of our sorrows into joy;
Rejoice, O unfailing source of our consolation.
Rejoice, O destroyer of deadly passions;
Rejoice, O helper of our good intentions.
Rejoice, O Lady, Unfailing Cup, quenching our spiritual thirst.
Condak 3
By the power of the Most High’s grace, strengthen a certain person afflicted by the disease of drunkenness, who, having been weakened by his foot, has endeavored to reach the city of Serpukhov, fulfilling the command of the Mother of God, spoken through the venerable Varlaam. May he find the icon of the Immaculate Mother of God in that city, and thus be healed from his spiritual and bodily affliction, and with trembling, cry out to God:
Alluia
Icos 3
Having an inexhaustible source, an unquenchable cup of heavenly gifts, not only the inhabitants of the city of Serpukhov, but all Orthodox Christians from other cities and villages, approaching Your wondrous image, and finding healing before it, cry out to You with grateful lips:
Rejoice, by whom our sorrows are consumed;
Rejoice, by whom the joy of salvation is poured out.
Rejoice, who heals the spiritual and bodily infirmities;
Rejoice, who tames the passions by Your prayers.
Rejoice, who grants useful gifts to those who ask;
Rejoice, who abundantly bestows countless mercies on all.
Rejoice, who opens the treasure of mercy to us;
Rejoice, who reveals mercy to the fallen.
Rejoice, O Lady, Unfailing Cup, who quenches our spiritual thirst.
Condak 4
Having a tempest of thoughts within, but approaching Your incomprehensible mercy with sincere repentance, those who are possessed by the drunken passion receive healing, and from the depths of their soul, they cry out to our Savior born of You:
Alluia
Icos 4
Having heard, O Lord, the heavy sorrows, cries, and lamentations of women, elderly, and children, who are tormented by the drunken passion or the madness of narcotics, grant them, O Immaculate One, Your icon, from which all who ask receive consolation and spiritual joy, and with tears, they cry out to You thus:
Rejoice, O Virgin, who gave birth to the Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world;
Rejoice, Cup, who draws from the Fountain of Immortality.
Rejoice, who is the stronghold of sorrowing mothers;
Rejoice, who is the good hope of the hopeless.
Rejoice, who grants blessed protection to those who approach You;
Rejoice, who is the comfort and solace of the sorrowful.
Rejoice, who quiets the turmoil of passions within us;
Rejoice, who stretches out the hand of help to those who ask.
Rejoice, O Lady, Unfailing Cup, who quenches our spiritual thirst.
Kondak 5
O Star of God, Thy holy icon, Thou hast revealed to us, O Mistress of Peace, to those who behold Thee with the eyes of faith and with a heart full of devotion, we say: Heal those who are afflicted with drunkenness and other spiritual or bodily ailments, and teach the faithful to sing Thy praise:
Alleluia
Icos 5
Beholding the wonders and signs that have appeared in the city of Serpukhov, not only from Thy icon, O Mother of God, but also from the images made in its likeness, we approach them with humility and say to Thee:
Rejoice, O speedy Intercessor, to those who come to Thee;
rejoice, O merciful Hearer of our prayers.
Rejoice, O Serpukhov, blessed by Thy blessing;
rejoice, O Moscow, glory of Thy wonders revealed.
Rejoice, O inexhaustible Treasury of healings;
rejoice, O All-powerful Protector of the temperate.
Rejoice, O Helper against the world and the devil;
rejoice, O zealous Defender of the righteous.
Rejoice, O Mistress, O Chalice that cannot be drunk dry;
rejoice, O Comforter of our spiritual thirst.
Kondak 6
Preaching Thy wonders, O Mother of God, we beseech Thee, O Pure One, with tears: Deliver us all from the evil passion of drunkenness and from the falls of sinful deeds, and teach us to sing to God:
Alleluia
Icos 6
The radiance of Divine glory has shone forth from Thy icon, O Virgin Theotokos, where our Lord Jesus Christ is seen as an Infant, revealing the mysteries of His Holy Incarnation, and granting deliverance to those who approach with faith from the passions of the flesh. We, Thy Immaculate Mother, pray to Thee for us, and offer Thee these hymns:
Rejoice, for the angelic host rejoices at Thee;
rejoice, for humanity triumphs through Thee.
Rejoice, surpassing the heavenly and earthly praises;
rejoice, revealing the Lamb born of Thee to us.
Rejoice, leading us to the gates of eternal life;
rejoice, quenching our thirst from the fountain of immortality.
Rejoice, raising us up from the falls of sin;
rejoice, never leaving us without Thy boundless goodness.
Rejoice, O Mistress, O Chalice that cannot be drunk dry;
rejoice, O Comforter of our spiritual thirst.
Condak 7
Although a certain man may praise Thee, O Mistress, for the sake of healing from the disease of drunkenness, adorn Thy wondrous icon, O God-bearer, which is situated in the city of Serpukhov, with thanksgiving, singing to God:
Alluia
Icos 7
Thy wondrous icon, O Pure One, reveals marvelous wonders: those who suffer from the passion of drunkenness, approaching Thy maternal intercession, are freed from their heavy affliction and, rendering thanks to Thee, call out thus:
Rejoice, O Fountain of Life-giving Healings;
Rejoice, Heavenly Chalice of Divine Gifts.
Rejoice, O Fountain of Present Healings;
Rejoice, Sea that drowns our passions.
Rejoice, O Source of Hope for those who have fallen into sin;
Rejoice, Thou who, with Thy maternal hands, raisest up those who have fallen.
Rejoice, O Comforter of the righteous;
Rejoice, Thou who fulfillest all our good petitions.
Rejoice, O Mistress, O Chalice that cannot be drunk, who quenches our spiritual thirst.
Condak 8
It is strange and incomprehensible to unbelievers to hear how Thy holy icon pours forth streams of Divine Healings. We, however, who reverently venerate it, kiss it, and cry out to God:
Alluia
Icos 8
All the hope of those who suffer from the disease of drunkenness is placed upon Thee, O Virgin, Pure One: incline Thyself to our weakness, and heal our passions. For who can deliver us, sinful ones, from the pit of destruction, unless Thou, O Mistress? Therefore, we bend our knees before Thy holy icon and sing to Thee thus:
Rejoice, O Mistress, who dost not reject the prayers of sinners;
Rejoice, Thou who dost grant heavenly aid to those who invoke Thee.
Rejoice, O Source of Thy deep mercy, which Thou dost show to sinners;
Rejoice, Thou who dost comfort the desperate and the hopeless.
Rejoice, Thou who dost grant help to those who are possessed by the passion of drunkenness;
Rejoice, Thou who dost grant consolation to the patient sufferers.
Rejoice, O Mistress, Thou who art the good Healer of our afflictions;
Rejoice, Thou who art our Guardian against worldly cares.
Rejoice, O Mistress, O Chalice that cannot be drunk, who quenches our spiritual thirst.
Condak 9
All the angelic nature is amazed at the work of Thy mercy, O Lord, for Thou hast given to the sinful human race a steadfast Protectress and Helper, who inclines Herself to our weakness and frees us from the bitter disease of drunkenness, and teaches us to pray to Thee faithfully:
Alluia
Ikos 9
We, the sinful, dare not extol Your wondrous manifestation, O Mother of God, for it is beyond our comprehension. Yet, with soul and heart rejoicing, we say to You:
Rejoice, for Your sacred icon reveals wonders;
Rejoice, for You are soon to be the scorn of those who scorn You.
Rejoice, for You are a shield from afflictions;
Rejoice, for You are a refuge for those who flee from evil.
Rejoice, for Your gentle radiance dispels the darkness of passions;
Rejoice, for You fill our souls with love for You and Your Son.
Rejoice, O wise Guide on the paths of repentance;
Rejoice, O Righteous Intercessor, who gives us a good answer before the Just Judge.
Rejoice, O Lady, Unfailing Cup, who quenches our spiritual thirst;
Kondak 10
Many who seek salvation, O All-Pure One, have been healed by Your wondrous icon, and have been drawn to Your miraculous image, that, having received healing, they may cry out to God in humility:
Alleluia
Ikos 10
You are a wall and a shield, O Mother of God, for those afflicted by the disease of drunkenness, and for all who hasten to You with fervor and venerate Your holy icon with reverence, for the Lord, the Giver of good things, has given it to us as a help and a means of deliverance from the destructive passions, and He punishes us for not praying to You thus:
Rejoice, O terrible overthrow of false healings;
Rejoice, O attraction to the true Physician’s grace.
Rejoice, O purifier of our defilement by Your purity;
Rejoice, O enlightener of our unworthiness by Your grace.
Rejoice, O transformer of our mortal nature into immortality;
Rejoice, O protector of our prayers by Your intercession.
Rejoice, O raiser of the fallen from our inability;
Rejoice, O dispeller of the cloud of passions.
Rejoice, O Lady, Unfailing Cup, who quenches our spiritual thirst;
Kondak 11
Do not despise, O Pure One, our humble hymn, which we offer to You out of love and zeal, and do not turn Your face away from those afflicted by the disease of drunkenness and those who have despaired, but help them and us to be cleansed from all defilement of sinful passions, that we may be able to pray to God with dignity and righteousness:
Alleluia
Ikos 11
Thou dost manifest Thyself, O Most Holy Theotokos, as a light-bearing lamp, for Thy holy image dispels the darkness of sin and guides those who call upon Thee with faith to the path of virtues:
Rejoice, O Thou who dost deliver us from the turmoil of this fleeting world;
Rejoice, O Thou who dost help us to overcome the reflections of carnal passions.
Rejoice, O Thou who dost implant in our hearts the thought of good;
Rejoice, O Thou who dost enlighten our conscience, besmirched by sin.
Rejoice, O Thou who dost deliver the afflicted from their sufferings;
Rejoice, O Thou who dost call to sincere repentance and amendment.
Rejoice, O Thou who dost strengthen the souls of those who are embittered;
Rejoice, O Thou who dost save those who glorify Thy name.
Rejoice, O Thou, Sovereign Lady, Unfailing Cup, who dost quench our spiritual thirst;
Kondak 12
By Thy intercession, O Mother of God, the grace of God is bestowed upon all who are afflicted, the destitute, the widows, and the elderly, especially those who are tormented by the demon of drunkenness, and they do not depart from the unfailing cup of Thy divine gifts, O Most Merciful One, but receive them abundantly, and with gratitude, they cry out to God:
All-hail!
Ikos 12
Singing Thy wonders and Thy great mercy, which is revealed to those who are enslaved by the passion of drunkenness, we beseech Thee, O Sovereign Lady, save and have mercy upon us, and guide us to the right path, and do not forsake us, O Thou who dost shelter us, and who dost call upon Thee:
Rejoice, O Thou who dost bring down upon us the dew of Thy mercy;
Rejoice, O Thou who dost deliver us from the passion of drunkenness.
Rejoice, O Thou who dost heal the passion of drunkenness;
Rejoice, O Thou who dost grant strong help to those who are weakened.
Rejoice, O Thou who dost humble the proud;
Rejoice, O Thou who dost exalt the humble.
Rejoice, O Thou who dost give wonderful consolation to the faint-hearted;
Rejoice, O Thou who dost grant great joy to the meek.
Rejoice, O Thou, Sovereign Lady, Unfailing Cup, who dost quench our spiritual thirst;
Kondak 13
O Most Merciful Mother of our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ! Hear our present supplication and deliver us from all spiritual and bodily afflictions, especially from the passion of drunkenness, that they may not perish in evil, but be saved by Thee and forever cry out to God:
All-hail!
This kondak is read three times, followed by Ikos 1 and Kondak 1.
Ikos 1
Thy angels and the host of the righteous unceasingly hymn Thee, O Queen of God, Guide of the human race, in the midst of transgressions and sins, Thou dost grant us solace and salvation through Thy wondrous icons, which, like celestial stars, shine forth throughout our land. To this one image, the Unfathomable Chalice, we, with one heart, cry out to Thee:
Rejoice, O habitation of the inaccessible Divinity;
rejoice, O unceasing wonder of humanity.
Rejoice, O cleanser of our sins through sufferings;
rejoice, O healer of our infirmities through afflictions.
Rejoice, O sender of Thy mercy upon us from above;
rejoice, O comforter of our sorrowful hearts.
Rejoice, O wondrous reconciler of all with God;
rejoice, O known deliverer from eternal sufferings.
Rejoice, O Lady, Unfathomable Chalice, quencher of our spiritual thirst.
Kondak 1
A most excellent and wondrous aid has been granted us, O Virgin Theotokos, through Thy revered image, which, by its appearance, has freed us from mental and bodily afflictions and from sorrowful circumstances. We, Thy all-compassionate Intercessor, offer Thee grateful hymns of praise. Thou, O Lady, incline Thyself mercifully to our sighs and heartfelt cries, and grant healing to those who suffer, that we may call out to Thee with faith:
Rejoice, O Lady, Unfathomable Chalice, quencher of our spiritual thirst.
Prayer
O Most Merciful Lady! We have recourse to Thy protection, and we beseech Thee, do not despise our supplications, but quickly heal the brethren and sisters of ours who are afflicted with the grievous disease of drunkenness, and for this reason, we pray, for the sake of Thy mother, the Church of Christ, and for the salvation of those who have strayed. O All-Compassionate Mother of God, touch their hearts and quickly raise them up from the fall of sinful deeds, heal me and bring them to the saving restraint. Intercede with Thy Son, our Christ God, that He may forgive our sins and not turn away His mercy from His people, but may strengthen them in sobriety and chastity. Receive, O Most Holy Theotokos, the prayers of parents, who, with tears, weep for their children; of wives, who mourn for their husbands; of children, who are left orphaned and poor, and of all of us who have recourse to Thy icon, and may this cry of ours come to the Throne of the Most High through Thy prayers. Cover and protect us from the wiles of the wicked and from all the snares of the enemy, and in the fearful hour of our departure, help us to pass through the aerial struggles unimpeded, and deliver us from eternal condemnation through Thy prayers, that the mercy of God may cover us for all eternity. Amen.