The Akathist to the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos is a prayer read in churches during the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. This prayer helps to pray the Theotokos for the protection and defense of her faithful from all evils and dangers.
Кондак 1
Thou, O most chosen by the Eternal King, surpassing all creation, Queen of heaven and earth, who hast sometimes come to the Church of the Vlaherna for prayer, dost bring forth worthy veneration and thanksgiving, as we, who are in darkness, flee unto Thee with faith and supplication, under the shining ombrophor of Thy light. Thou, possessing an invincible power, dost deliver us from all our afflictions, that we may cry unto Thee:
Radiant One, our Joy, cover us with Thy holy ombrophor from all evil.
Икос 1
With the Archangel, many angels, the Forerunner, the Theologian, and all the saints, Thou didst appear to Thyself, O Queen, in the Church of the Vlaherna, and, having heard Thy supplications for all the world, they didst cry out with wonder:
Radiant One, God the Father, eternal and unoriginate blessing;
Radiant One, God the Son, immaculate and eternal dwelling.
Radiant One, God the Holy Spirit, chosen and eternal habitation;
Radiant One, endless wonder of the heavenly host.
Radiant One, fearful terror of the dark powers of hell;
Radiant One, where the Cherubim, with many eyes, behold Thee.
Radiant One, where the six-winged Seraphim sing Thy praise;
Radiant One, to Whose gracious protection we, earthly-born, offer thanksgiving.
Radiant One, our Joy, cover us with Thy holy ombrophor from all evil.
Кондак 2
Having seen Thee, O holy Andrew, with Epiphanius in the Church, praying for Christians before God, they recognized that Thou art the Mother of Him who was lifted up to heaven, our God Christ, and, falling to the ground, they didst rejoice in Thy all-good protection, crying out:
Alleluia
Икос 2
Thou art a mystery beyond understanding, O Virgin Theotokos, in the protection of the Orthodox, and for this reason, our enemies do not know the power of the prayer of God’s Mother. We, however, knowing Thy all-powerful intercession, cry out to Thee with supplication:
Radiant One, most compassionate comforter of all the sorrowful and burdened;
Radiant One, never-sleeping guide of all the erring and blinded.
Radiant One, Thou who, with righteous anger, dost quickly assuage the wrath of God upon us;
Radiant One, Thou who, with mighty command, dost subdue our evil passions.
Radiant One, Thou who dost stir up the slumbering conscience;
Radiant One, Thou who dost easily overcome the wicked habits.
Radiant One, at whose mention, hell trembles and the spirits of malice are afraid;
Radiant One, at whose mention, the gates of paradise are opened to us all.
Radiant One, our Joy, cover us with Thy holy ombrophor from all evil.
Kondak 3
The power of the Most High anoints those who approach Your all-holy protection with faith and reverence: for it has been given to You alone, O Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of God, that every petition of Yours may be fulfilled. Therefore, every age of the faithful praises You and Your Son, crying out:
Alleluia
Icos 3
Having the wealth of mercy that is inexhaustible, You stretch out Your hand of help to all the ends of the earth, O Mistress: to the afflicted, healing; to the suffering, solace; to the blind, sight; and to all, according to each one’s need, You provide, and You hear the prayers of those who cry out to You with gratitude:
Rejoice, unshakeable stronghold and bulwark of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, first ornament of holy churches and altars.
Rejoice, most steadfast guardian of piety;
Rejoice, unwearied helper of benevolent rulers.
Rejoice, invincible leader of Christian warriors;
Rejoice, holy mirror of truth for judges who are not swayed by bribes.
Rejoice, perfect guide of wise instructors and guides;
Rejoice, blessing of the homes and households of the righteous.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us with Your holy omophorion from every evil.
Kondak 4
You help those who are overwhelmed by many afflictions, O Mistress: for You stand before the face of the Lord’s altar, raising Your hands and praying, that the Lord, King of Glory, may look upon our unworthy prayer and heed the supplications of those who invoke Your holy name, crying out to Your Son:
Alleluia
Icos 4
When the Lord God heard the prayer of Joshua, son of Nun, and commanded the sun to stand still until He avenged His enemies, He also hears Your prayers, O chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we, sinners, who rely on Your protection, dare to say to You, as to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, enlightened by the light of the Uncreated Sun and illuminating us with the light that does not fade;
Rejoice, illuminating the whole earth with the radiance of Your immaculate soul.
Rejoice, making the heavens rejoice with the purity of Your body;
Rejoice, providing a shelter and provision for the holy habitations of Christ.
Rejoice, strengthening the Church with the courage and guidance of the faithful;
Rejoice, guiding the god-fearing monks and nuns.
Rejoice, providing a peaceful haven for the reverent elders;
Rejoice, being the secret joy of the pure maidens and widows.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us with Your holy omophorion from every evil.
Condak 5
O Most Holy Theotokos, thou dost resemble Moses, the leader of the people, in that thou dost stretch forth thy hands in supplication, and when thou dost, thy people are victorious. Yet, when thou dost lower thy hands, the enemy prevails. Thou, however, O Most Holy Theotokos, dost always vanquish the enemies of the Christian faith, and art a shield that is invincible to us, who cry out to thee:
All-hail!
Icos 5
When the holy assemblies beheld thee in the air above the church of the Vlahernae, thy hands outstretched in prayer to thy Son and God, they rejoiced and sang hymns of thanksgiving with the archangels and angels. We, too, are strengthened by thy hand, which is more powerful than the hands of Moses, and we humbly cry out:
Rejoice, thou whose hand doth support us all, and whose love and mercy towards us are one and the same;
Rejoice, thou before whom our visible and invisible enemies stand in awe.
Rejoice, thou who dost drive away the dark host of our passions and desires;
Rejoice, thou who dost hold Christ, the divine fire, in thy hand, and dost inflame us, who are cold, with His warmth.
Rejoice, thou who dost bestow upon the warriors of chastity a most excellent crown;
Rejoice, thou who dost comfort those who toil in fasting and silence, and dost grant them a close and intimate communion with God.
Rejoice, thou who dost bring speedy solace to those who are overcome with sorrow and despair;
Rejoice, thou who dost supply us with the gift of humility and patience.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us with thy holy omophorion, and protect us from all evil.
Condak 6
The holy prophet Roman the Melodist, who was filled with thy boundless grace and mercy, appeared to thee in a dream, and received from thee a scroll of the holy scriptures. Thus, he was enlightened, and began to sing hymns of praise to thy glory, and to write sacred poetry with faith:
All-hail!
Icos 6
Thou hast shone forth as the dawn of the true Sun of Righteousness, O Virgin Theotokos, enlightening all with the wisdom of God, thy Son, and guiding those who call upon thee to the knowledge of the truth:
Rejoice, thou who didst give birth to Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God;
Rejoice, thou who didst confound the foolish wisdom of the world, and didst lead the blind to the path of righteousness.
Rejoice, thou who dost protect the holy faith, and dost instruct the Orthodox in the dogmas of the truth;
Rejoice, thou who dost root out the heresies and schisms that are destructive to the soul.
Rejoice, thou who dost foresee and foretell all things, and dost reveal to us what is fitting;
Rejoice, thou who dost confound the false prophets and the vain divinations of the wicked.
Rejoice, thou who dost implant in our hearts the thought of good, and dost guide us to what is pleasing to God;
Rejoice, thou who dost rebuke us for our evil intentions and foolish desires.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us with thy holy omophorion, and protect us from all evil.
Condak 7
The All-seeing Lord, though long-suffering, has revealed His boundless mercy and compassion, choosing you alone as His Mother, and creating you as an unassailable defense for humanity. Even if anyone is deserving of condemnation by the righteous judgment of God, they are preserved by Your powerful protection, calling upon repentance, and saying:
All-hail!
Icos 7
You have shown forth Your wondrous deeds through your pure Mother, O Lord, when the miraculous omophorion, shining brighter than the sun’s rays, appeared in her hands, covering those present in the Church of the Vlaherna. Hearing of this sign of your Mother’s merciful intercession, we are seized with awe and joy, and all proclaim:
Rejoice, O Uncreated Omophorion, like a cloud, spreading over the entire world;
Rejoice, O Pre-eternal Hierarch, holding the sign of Your Son in Your hand.
Rejoice, O New Mercy and New Grace, manifesting in the Orthodox Church;
Rejoice, O Cloudy Pillar, covering us all from the temptations and snares of the world.
Rejoice, O Fiery Pillar, illuminating the path of salvation for us all, amidst the darkness of sin;
Rejoice, O Manifestation of Visible Virtue, strengthening the confessors of the faith.
Rejoice, O Secret Counselor, guiding the hidden servants of God;
Rejoice, O Comforter, not forsaking me, a sinner, with Your protection and mercy.
Rejoice, O Our Joy, cover us with Your chaste omophorion from all evil.
Condak 8
You have appeared in the Church of the Vlaherna, O Lord, and the angels have hymned You, the apostles have glorified You, the company of saints and the order of holy women have extolled You, the Forerunner and the Theologian have bowed down to You, and the people present in the church have cried out with joy:
All-hail!
Icos 8
As the Lord, ruling over all heavenly and earthly powers, beheld You standing in the church as His Mother, and with compassion, He said to You: “Ask, My Mother, for I will not turn away from You, but I will fulfill all Your requests, and I will teach You to thank Me for all things”:
Rejoice, O Ark of the Covenant, in which the sanctification of the entire human race is preserved;
Rejoice, O Holy Table, in which the Bread of eternal life is kept for those who hunger for righteousness.
Rejoice, O Golden Vessel, in which the preparation of our flesh and blood, the Divine Lamb, is prepared;
Rejoice, O Receiver of the helpless, taking them onto Your mighty hands.
Rejoice, O Healer of the weak in body, but not in spirit and faith, raising us from the bed of sickness;
Rejoice, O Giver of new and better understanding, to those who are consumed by disease of the mind.
Rejoice, O Guide on the narrow path of sin and passions, wisely leading us;
Rejoice, O Softener of the hardness of our hearts.
Rejoice, O Our Joy, cover us with Your chaste omophorion from all evil.
Kontakion 9
The whole angelic host offers praise unto Thee, O true Mother of God and Intercedrix of all who fly to Thee, beholding how through Thy incorruptible veil Thou gladdenest the righteous, intercede for the sinners, deliverest the afflicted, and prayest for all the faithful who cry out:
Alleluia
Ikos 9
The wise of multitudes, like voiceless fish, marvel at how to praise according to their merit the great feast of Thy Most-Venerable Protection; for all that which is spoken of Thee by them is not sufficient for even a single enumeration of Thy bounties. But we, seeing Thy immeasurable benefits, we cry out with joy:
Rejoice, Thou preserving us from the plague and the universal destruction of mortality;
rejoice, preserving the cities and weights from the sudden shaking of the earth.
Rejoice, raising us up from the flooding of waters and inundation by Thy mighty hand;
rejoice, delivering us from fiery inflammation by the dew of Thy prayers.
Rejoice, providing for the spiritual and bodily hunger with the Bread of Life;
rejoice, turning away from our heads the strikes of lightning and thunder.
Rejoice, saving us from the invasion of foreigners and secret assassins;
rejoice, guarding us from domestic strife and the enmity of kinsmen by peace and love.
Rejoice, O our Joy, to cover us from every evil with Thy honorable omophorion.
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the human race from the delusion of the enemy, the God-loving Lord gave Thee, His Mother, to us as earthly help, protection and defense, that Thou might be a sorrowful comfort to the grieving, joy to the sorrowful, intercedrix to the oppressed, and that Thou might raise us all from the depths of sins, singing:
Alleluia
Ikos 10
“O Heavenly King”—said the Pan-Pure Queen, standing in the air with angels as she spake in prayer—”receive every person who prayeth to Thee and calleth My name for help, that neither emptiness nor being unheard-of may be turned away from My face.” Having heard this blessed prayer, the assembly of saints cried out with gratitude:
Rejoice, crowning the tillers of pure hands and hearts with blessed fruits;
rejoice, giving aid and righteous recompense to all those who trade righte.
Rejoice, the universal denunciation of oath-breaking and unjust coveting;
rejoice, sudden help to those afflicted on the way, on land and in waters.
Rejoice, gladd childless parents with the fruits of faith and spirit;
rejoice, invisible nurturer of motherless orphans.
Rejoice, strong intercedrix of those being in captivity and exile;
rejoice, sleepless care- of those sitting in bonds and prison.
Rejoice, O our Joy, to cover us from every evil with Thy honorable omophorion.
Kontakion 11
Hearing the all-mindful song, and listening more eagerly to Thy prayer for us, we beseech Thee, O Theotokos, do not despise the voice of Thy servants: to Thee we flee in destresses and sorrows, and before Thee we shed tears in our woes, crying out:
Alleluia
Ikos 11
Having seen Thee as a light-receiving candle, burning in prayer, in the air at the Blachernian Church, in accordance with the multitude of people present there, crying out: “Where has this come to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come unto me?” But Saint Andrew and Epiphanius prayed warmly unto Thee, crying out:
Rejoice, envying bestower of all spiritual and bodily gifts;
rejoice, faithful intercessor of those who place the beginning of repentance upon sinners.
Rejoice, everlasting helper of those struggling against passions and suggestions of the enemy;
rejoice, invisible appeaser of cruel and beast-like overlords.
Rejoice, secret peace and consolation of the humble and suffering servants;
rejoice, ever-desired fulfillment of blessed marriages.
Rejoice, swift and painless delivery for mothers in child-birth;
rejoice, the unique helper for us all at the hour of death.
Rejoice, O our Joy, covering us from every evil by Thy honorable omophorion.
Kontakion 12
Ask for us Divine grace from Thy Son and God, stretch out unto us the hand of help, dispel from us every enemy and adversary, and pacify our life, that we may not perish miserably without repentance, but may receive us into eternal life, O our Protectress, that we may call to Thee rejoicing:
Alleluia
Ikos 12
Singing of Thy mighty protection, we all praise Thee as our firm intercessor, and we prostrate ourselves before Thee, praying for us; for we believe and hope that Thou shalt obtain from Thy Son and God the good eternal and temporal things, for all who cry out to Thee with love saying thus:
Rejoice, strong defense of the whole universe;
rejoice, sanctification of all elements of earth and heaven.
Rejoice, blessing of all the seasons of the year;
rejoice, trampling of all counsels and temptations coming from the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Rejoice, unexpected reconciliation of the heartenedly hostile;
rejoice, unhidden correction of unrepentant sinners.
Rejoice, not rejecting those despised and cast out by all;
rejoice, rescuing even the most despairing from the pit of destruction.
Rejoice, O our Joy, covering us from every evil by Thy honorable omophorion.
Condak 13
Oh, all-pure Mother, immaculate Lady, Virgin Theotokos! To Thee I lift up my soulful and bodily eyes, to Thee I stretch out my feeble hands, and from the depths of my heart I cry out: behold my faith and humility, cover me with Thy all-powerful omophorion, that I may be delivered from all afflictions and troubles, and in the hour of my departure, O All-beneficent One, stand before me and deliver me from the sufferings prepared for me on account of my sins, that I may cry out, bowing down: Alleluia.
This condak is read three times, then the ikos 1st and the condak 1st.
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos.
Oh, Most Holy Maiden, Mother of the Lord of heavenly powers, Queen of heaven and earth, our all-powerful Intercessor! Accept this hymn of thanksgiving and praise from us, unworthy servants of Thine, and raise our prayers to the throne of God, Thy Son, that He may be merciful to our iniquities and grant us His grace, those who venerate Thy all-holy name with faith and love, and who bow down before Thy wondrous icon with reverence. For we are not worthy to be pitied by Him, unless Thou dost intercede for us, O Lady, for all things are possible with Him. Therefore, we flee to Thee, as to our sure and speedy Intercessor: hear us, who pray to Thee, cover us with Thy all-ruling protection, and ask of God, Thy Son, our pastors – zeal and vigilance for our souls, our rulers – wisdom and power, our judges – justice and impartiality, our teachers – understanding and humility, our husbands – love and concord, our children – obedience, those who are wronged – patience, those who wrong others – fear of God, those who are sorrowful – cheerfulness, those who rejoice – temperance, and to all of us – the spirit of wisdom and piety, the spirit of mercy and gentleness, the spirit of purity and truth. Yea, O Most Holy Lady, have mercy on Thy weak people:
Gather the scattered, guide the erring on the path of righteousness, support the aged, instruct the young, nourish the infants, and behold us all with the gaze of Thy merciful intercession, raise us up from the depths of our sinful state, and enlighten our hearts to behold the vision of salvation. Be merciful to us here and hereafter, in the land of our earthly sojourn and at the fearful judgment of Thy Son. And, presenting our fathers and brethren, who have lived in faith and repentance, to the eternal life with the angels and all the saints, do Thou, O Lady, accomplish. For Thou art, O Lady, the glory of the heavens and the hope of the earth, Thou art, by God, our Hope and Intercessor of all who come to Thee with faith. To Thee, therefore, we pray, and to Thee, as to our all-powerful Helper, we commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.