The Paraklesis (Greek: Παράκλησις — «Supplicatory Canon») is one of the most beloved, ancient, and consoling liturgical services in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Greek word paraklesis denotes «comfort», «consolation», «advocacy», or «fervent pleading for help». In liturgical books, this service is entitled: «Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, Sung in Every Spiritual Affliction and Distress» [1].
On Mount Athos and throughout Orthodox monasteries, the Small Paraklesis (composed by St. Theosteriktos the Confessor in the 9th century) is chanted daily. Just as Western Christians reach for the beads of the Holy Rosary in times of trial, Orthodox Christians run to the Paraklesis before the wonderworking icons of the Mother of God as an invincible spiritual fortress [2].
This guide presents the complete authentic English text of the Small Paraklesis: Psalm 142, the 9 Odes of the Canon with the refrain «Most Holy Theotokos, save us!», the Gospel reading (Lk 1:39-56), the Megalynaria (Hymns of Praise), and the final prayer.
1. Structure of the Paraklesis
- Introductory prayers and Psalm 142 («Lord, hear my prayer…»).
- «God is the Lord» and the Troparia of the Theotokos («Unto the Theotokos let us run with fervency…»).
- Psalm 50 («Have mercy on me, O God…»).
- The Nine Odes of the Canon, chanting between each troparion:
👉 «Most Holy Theotokos, save us!» - The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke (Lk 1:39-56).
- The Megalynaria (Hymns of Praise: «It is Truly Meet», «Joy of all that sorrow…»).
- The Concluding Prayer to the Queen of Heaven («O my Most Gracious Queen…»).
2. Full Canonical Text of the Paraklesis
Troparia (Tone 4)
Unto the Theotokos let us run with fervency, sinners and humble as we are, and let us fall down in repentance, crying from the depths of our souls: O Sovereign Lady, help us, having had compassion on us! Make haste, for we are perishing from a multitude of sins. Turn not thy servants empty away, for thee do we have as our only hope.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen:
Never will we, the unworthy, cease from speaking of thy mighty acts, O Theotokos; for hadst thou not stood interceding for us, who would have delivered us from so many dangers? Who would have preserved us free until now? We will not depart from thee, O Sovereign Lady, for thou dost ever save thy servants from all adversity.
Selected Verses from the Nine Odes of the Canon
Ode 1: «Traversing the water as on dry land, and having escaped the Egyptian affliction, the Israelite cried out: Let us sing unto our Redeemer and God!»
👉 Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Holding fast to thee in my many temptations, I flee unto thee seeking salvation: O Mother of the Word and Virgin, save me from all distress and dangers!
👉 Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
The assaults of passions trouble me, filling my soul with great sorrow; calm them, O Maiden, with the peace of Thy Son and God, O All-Blameless One!
Ode 3: «O Lord, Maker of the celestial vault and Builder of the Church: do Thou establish me in Thy love, O summit of desires, firm support of the faithful, O only Lover of mankind!»
👉 Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
As the protectress and shelter of my life do I account thee, O Virgin Theotokos: guide me unto thy haven, O cause of good things, confirmation of the faithful, O only All-Praised One!
Ode 6: «I will pour out my prayer unto the Lord, and unto Him will I declare my sorrows, for my soul is full of evils and my life hath drawn near unto hades, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!»
👉 Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
As Thou didst save our nature from death and corruption by giving Thy Son up to death, so now save me, O Virgin, from all the deadly snares of the enemy!
The Megalynaria (Hymns of Praise)
Joy of all that sorrow art thou, and the protectress of the wronged, food of the hungry, comfort of strangers, staff of the blind, visitation of the sick, shelter and aid of the afflicted, and helper of orphans, O Mother of God on high: make haste, we pray thee, to deliver thy servants!
Higher than the heavens art thou, and purer than the rays of the sun, who hast delivered us from the curse: O Lady of the world, with hymns do we magnify thee!
Concluding Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos
O my Most Gracious Queen, my hope, O Theotokos, shelter of the orphaned and advocate of the stranger, joy of the sorrowful, protectress of the abused! Behold my distress, behold mine affliction; help me, for I am infirm; guide me, for I am a stranger. Thou knowest mine offense: resolve it as Thou wilt, for I have no other help but Thee, nor other advocate, nor good comforter, but only Thee, O Mother of God: preserve and shelter me unto ages of ages. Amen.
Sources
- Saint Theosteriktos the Confessor. The Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God (Small Paraklesis). 9th century.
- The Orthodox Prayer Book and Horologion. Jordanville, NY: Holy Trinity Monastery, 2012.