The Five Prayers of Saint Demetrius of Rostov (Danylo Tuptalo, 1651–1709) on the commemoration of the Five Sorrows and Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary are among the most touching and spiritually potent practices of the Orthodox Church. Composed by the great Ukrainian hierarch, hagiographer, and alumnus of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, this rule is dedicated to the reverent contemplation of the five greatest sorrows endured by the Mother of God during the redemptive passion and death of her Divine Son Jesus Christ [1].
According to tradition, Saint Demetrius composed this rule following a spiritual revelation granted to a holy monk, to whom the Virgin Mary promised: «Whoever daily with contrition of heart remembers these five sorrows of mine, I will not forsake him in earthly trials, I will preserve him from sudden death, guide his soul through the aerial toll-houses, and lead him to eternal life» [2].
This complete guide presents the authentic English text of all five prayers, the schema of prostrations, and the grand concluding prayer of intercession.
1. Typikon of the Five Prayers
- Opening prayers: Sign of the Cross, «O Heavenly King», Trisagion Prayers through «Our Father», and «Open unto us the door of thy compassion».
- The Five Contemplations:
- Recite the prayer of the specific Sorrow of the Theotokos.
- Recite 1 «Our Father».
- Recite 1 «O Virgin Theotokos, Rejoice!».
- Recite 1 «Open unto us the door of thy compassion».
- Make a full prostration (or deep metania) before the icon of the Mother of God.
- Concluding prayer of Saint Demetrius of Rostov.
2. Full Canonical Text of the Five Prayers
Prayer 1: Commemoration of Simeon’s Prophecy of the Sword of Sorrow
O Merciful Mother, All-Pure Virgin Theotokos! I recall Thy first great sorrow, when the righteous elder Simeon in the Temple of Jerusalem said unto Thee: «Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel; and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed» (Lk 2:34-35).
For the sake of this Thy great sorrow, O Immaculate Sovereign Lady, deliver me from sudden afflictions, drive away from my heart all sorrow and despair, protect me from wicked thoughts, and grant me sincere repentance for my sins.
Recite: 1 Our Father, 1 O Virgin Theotokos Rejoice, 1 Open unto us the door. (Full prostration).
Prayer 2: Commemoration of the Three-Day Loss of Jesus in Jerusalem
O Merciful Mother, All-Pure Virgin Theotokos! I recall Thy second sorrow, when after the feast of the Passover in Jerusalem, Thou and righteous Joseph sought the Divine Child Jesus for three days with weeping and anguish, until Thou didst find Him in the Temple sitting among the doctors (Lk 2:46).
For the sake of this Thy bitter sorrow, O All-Good Lady, permit not my soul to lose my Savior forever through my transgressions! If I wander from Him, bring me back, and help me to find Christ anew through tears of repentance.
Recite: 1 Our Father, 1 O Virgin Theotokos Rejoice, 1 Open unto us the door. (Full prostration).
Prayer 3: Commemoration of Judas’ Betrayal, the Arrest, and Scourging
O Merciful Mother, All-Pure Virgin Theotokos! I recall Thy third grievous sorrow, when Thou didst hear and see that Thy beloved Son was betrayed by Judas for thirty pieces of silver, bound by lawless soldiers in Gethsemane, led to Annas and Caiaphas, mocked, spit upon, struck on the face, mercilessly scourged at the pillar, and crowned with sharp thorns.
For the sake of this intolerable heart-pain, O Sorrowful Mother, be my Advocate in the days of demonic assault! Shield me from slander and betrayal, grant me patience in humiliation, and cleanse my soul from all fleshly defilement.
Recite: 1 Our Father, 1 O Virgin Theotokos Rejoice, 1 Open unto us the door. (Full prostration).
Prayer 4: Commemoration of the Cross on Golgotha and the Death of Christ
O Merciful Mother, All-Pure Virgin Theotokos! I recall Thy fourth most terrible sorrow, when Thou didst behold Thy Son carrying the heavy Cross to Golgotha, when Thou didst stand at the foot of His Cross, seeing His hands and feet pierced with iron nails, hearing His cry: «Woman, behold thy son!» and «It is finished!», and watching Him bow His head and yield up the ghost into the hands of the Father.
For the sake of these fathomless torments, when the sword of suffering truly pierced Thy maternal heart, O Queen of Heaven, come to my aid in the hour of my death! Drive away the dark spirits from my deathbed, deliver me from eternal condemnation, and grant me forgiveness before Thy Son.
Recite: 1 Our Father, 1 O Virgin Theotokos Rejoice, 1 Open unto us the door. (Full prostration).
Prayer 5: Commemoration of the Descent from the Cross and Burial
O Merciful Mother, All-Pure Virgin Theotokos! I recall Thy fifth boundless sorrow, when Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took down the bloody Body of Thy Son from the Cross, wound It in fine linen with spices, and when Thou didst bathe His sacred wounds with bitter tears, laying Him into the new tomb in the garden.
For the sake of this Thy weeping and tears, O Spotless Virgin, heal the grief of my heart, slay in me the sinful lusts of the flesh, and in the day of the Dread Judgment cover me with Thy holy veil, leading me into the eternal mansions of the righteous.
Recite: 1 Our Father, 1 O Virgin Theotokos Rejoice, 1 Open unto us the door. (Full prostration).
3. Concluding Prayer of Saint Demetrius of Rostov
O All-Merciful Sovereign Lady, Most Holy Theotokos, Queen of heaven and earth! Hear the sighing of my soul and accept this humble prayer which I offer from all my heart in memory of Thy five holy sorrows. Look upon my infirmities and heal my wounds. Protect me beneath Thy gracious veil from all evil, and in the hour of my departure, stand by me, drive away the dark spirits, and bring my soul into the Heavenly Kingdom to glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Sources
- Saint Demetrius of Rostov. The Five Prayers on the Sorrows of the Theotokos. Chernihiv, 1698.
- Hieromartyr Seraphim (Chichagov). Chronicle of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery. St. Petersburg, 1903.