Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos for Her Wonderworking Icon “Of Three Joys”
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things with Thy grace, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, deliver us and release us from our sins; O Master, pardon our iniquities; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of mine iniquity; and my sin is continually before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done evil before thee: that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me. For, behold, thou lovest truth: thou hast manifested to me the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt cause me to hear gladness and joy: the afflicted bones shall rejoice. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts. Cast me not away from thy presence; and remove not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation: establish me with thy directing Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and ungodly men shall turn to thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall joyfully declare thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my lips; and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou desiredst sacrifice, I would have given it: thou wilt not take pleasure in whole-burnt-offerings. Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, to Sion in thy good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, offering, and whole-burnt-sacrifices: then shall they offer calves upon thine altar.
From thy holy icon the heart of a godly woman was filled with ineffable joy, O all-holy Queen of the earth, when thou didst restore to her her husband and her son and all her possessions; so grant us too by thy mercy the fulfilment of our good desires. Make an ever-flowing fountain of joy spring forth for us who entreat thee and sing with all our soul: O Mother of the joy of all the world, fill those who honour thee with abundance of joy.
We unworthy ones cry unceasingly to thee, the invincible Champion, O all-holy Virgin, who didst bear for our salvation eternal joy. Drive from us all despondency and sorrow, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
Gabriel, chief of the bodiless ones, revealed to thee the mystery hidden from the ages, O all-incorrupt Virgin, crying with fear: Hail, thou that art full of grace, the Lord is with thee; and we sinners too venture with unclean lips to sing thus:
Rejoice, blessed among women; rejoice, branch of the vine; rejoice, Virgin before childbirth and after childbirth; rejoice, unfading flower; rejoice, treasury of purity; rejoice, fragrant censer; rejoice, myrrh of great price; rejoice, spiritual table; rejoice, dwelling of the Light that knoweth no evening; rejoice, cleanser of all the world; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
Fill my heart with gladness and assuage my sorrow, O all-holy Virgin; enlighten my sorrowing soul with the light of incorruptible joy, that I may cry to my Creator: Alleluia.
Human understanding cannot comprehend how a Virgin who knew not wedlock bore the God of all and incorruptibly gave birth to a Son; wherefore we cry to thee with fear:
Rejoice, unsown earth; rejoice, bush unburnt; rejoice, depth hard to contemplate; rejoice, bridge that leadest up to heaven; rejoice, lofty ladder which Jacob saw; rejoice, divine vessel of manna; rejoice, deliverer from the curse; rejoice, recalling of Adam; rejoice, for God is with thee; rejoice, thou who breakest the gates of hell; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
Thou art the intercessor and shelter of my life, thou art my hope and my strength. O all-hymned one, heal my soul wounded by the leprosy of sin, that I may sing for ever to the heavenly Bridegroom: Alleluia.
Blessed by the Most High, O divine earth, rejoice, for through thee joy is given, O Theotokos, to those who cry thus:
Rejoice, higher than the heavens; rejoice, purer than the light of the sun; rejoice, dwelling of the Creator of heaven and earth; rejoice, joy of angels; rejoice, thou who most wondrously reconcilest all to God; rejoice, more honourable than the Cherubim; rejoice, glorified above the Seraphim; rejoice, wall and guardian from our enemies; rejoice, thou who scatterest and blindest the demons; rejoice, thou who openest to us the gate of paradise; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
My heart is filled with despondency and much sorrow; to whom shall I sing, O Queen, to whom shall I flee in this affliction, to whom shall I tell my grief, who shall hear my tears and sighs, if not thou, O Theotokos, who gavest birth to Christ my God and King, the joy of heaven and earth? To Him the Cherubim and Seraphim sing with us: Alleluia.
We will never be silent nor forsake thee, O Queen Theotokos, ever delivered from all afflictions and cruel sorrows, but we fall down before thee and call to thee with compunction:
Rejoice, joy of all who sorrow; rejoice, seeker of the lost; rejoice, thou who assuagest our sorrows; rejoice, intercessor of the oppressed; rejoice, feeder of the hungry; rejoice, hope of travellers; rejoice, haven of the troubled; rejoice, visitor of the sick; rejoice, shelter and helper of the weak; rejoice, staff of old age; rejoice, Mother of our God; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
O intercessor of the world, gladden all who flee to thee, the Mother of the highest joy; shelter us with thy precious omophorion from all afflictions, calamities, sorrows and sicknesses, that we may cry to God: Alleluia.
O fervent entreater, invincible wall, river of mercy, haven of all the Orthodox, O Virgin Theotokos, accept from us the angel’s hymn:
Rejoice, joy and glory of the faithful; rejoice, wonder of wonders; rejoice, unchanging hope of all the saints; rejoice, swift deliverer from afflictions; rejoice, hope ready in affliction; rejoice, dwelling that containest God; rejoice, abyss of grace and bounty; rejoice, spiritual temple; rejoice, gladdening joy of widows and orphans; rejoice, inexhaustible treasury; rejoice, Bride unwedded; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
Forsake me not in the time of my life, O Mother of God, and make me worthy of a good end, that I may cry to God the Saviour: Alleluia.
Free me from all trials and passions, O all-incorrupt one; have mercy on me, save me, gladden me, and deliver and guard me from raging enemies, that I may ever cry to thee:
Rejoice, our firm and unshakeable hope; rejoice, sovereign and Queen of all; rejoice, most exalted treasury of all the world; rejoice, strengthener of all the righteous; rejoice, fervent intercessor of the Christian people; rejoice, thou who gavest birth to the Word, holier than all the saints; rejoice, heavenly throne; rejoice, thou who makest the fountain of inexhaustible life spring forth; rejoice, holy haven and rampart of all who hope in thee; rejoice, unashamed advocate of Christians; rejoice, cup that gatherest joy; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
Stand by me, O all-good one, at the hour of my end, and renew my wretched soul as it departeth from this bound body of mine, that I may sing to the Vanquisher of death and hell: Alleluia.
Turn not thy joyful face from me, O Mother of God; hear my entreaty, and let my lament come unto thee, O all-holy Virgin, and hear me speedily in the hour when I call upon thee, that I may sing to thee thus:
Rejoice, festal hymn of angels; rejoice, shelter and fulfilment; rejoice, praise of apostles; rejoice, thou who grantest the crown to those who suffer; rejoice, pillar of virginity; rejoice, deliverer of Eve from tears; rejoice, rampart of those who fast; rejoice, thou who gladdenest this corruptible life; rejoice, joy of monks; rejoice, honour of hierarchs; rejoice, beauty of priests; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
By the light of a candle the all-holy one wished that our souls should come to the Bridegroom. Grant us to pass this present life with courage of heart and watchfulness of mind, and to enter into the joyful palace of His glory and sing to God, the Judge of all: Alleluia.
O only incorrupt and holy Virgin, who gatherest heavenly gladness, make all our loved ones, friends and acquaintances worthy of rest with all the saints, that through thine almighty prayer, O all-holy one, the Lord may give them rest in a place of light, where there is no sickness, grief nor sighing, but life without end; that the Lord may forgive them all the sins they have committed from their youth until the hour of their death, that they too may cry with us:
Rejoice, thou who forsakest us not after thy falling asleep; rejoice, Mother of life; rejoice, deliverer of our souls from death; rejoice, Theotokos who prayest without sleeping; rejoice, giver of the joy of paradise; rejoice, Mother of God in the flesh; rejoice, thou who raisest up from drowning in the abyss; rejoice, joyful rest of all who have reposed in faith and hope; rejoice, hope of the hopeless; rejoice, thou who openest for us the door of mercy; rejoice, deliverer from deadly disease; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
O Theotokos, deliver us, thy sinful servants, from the fire of Gehenna, from lightless darkness, from the torment of hell, and make us worthy of the life that groweth not old, that we may ever sing to Jesus the Sweetest: Alleluia.
O all-holy Virgin, by thine intercession before the most exalted throne enlighten my soul and body, renew wholly my mind and heart, adorn me, make me spotless, magnify me, save me, enlighten me and bless me with thy heavenly and earthly blessing, that we may cry to thee:
Rejoice, Mother unwedded, who knewest not wedlock; rejoice, for through thee we have come to know the Son of God; rejoice, indestructible wall; rejoice, all-perfect salvation of our souls; rejoice, Queen and Mother of the Deliverer from eternal death; rejoice, holier even than the angels; rejoice, for truly through thee the Lord reigneth and is clothed with majesty; rejoice, thou who coverest the stain of sin; rejoice, brightest dawn of spring; rejoice, thou who stillest the raging storm of my soul; rejoice, lightning that enlightenest souls; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
O Virgin Theotokos, establish thy people in Orthodoxy. Shelter it from all evil with thy precious omophorion, that we may sing to God: Alleluia.
O God-loving Virgin Mary, unwedded Queen Theotokos, salvation and hope of the righteous, thou hast boldness before the heavenly King, who took flesh of thee. Free us from cruel sorrows and bitter grief. We ask of thee comfort and joy, O our joy, and above all eternal salvation, calling with compunction thus:
Rejoice, bread of life, Mother of the divine Lamb; rejoice, branch of the vine, who makest the fruit of life grow for us; rejoice, thou who makest us drunk with the joy of heavenly wine; rejoice, thou who makest the righteous worthy to partake of the holy, heavenly, life-giving and dread Mysteries of Christ; rejoice, light that knoweth no evening, of the ineffable mystery; rejoice, ray for my darkened soul; rejoice, my shelter and hope; rejoice, my haven; rejoice, my comforter; rejoice, my joy; rejoice, thou who givest life to me who am dead through sins; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
Thou who openest the heavenly gate to the righteous, open to me the door of repentance, O Theotokos, that the Judge of the righteous may have mercy on me, and not make known my hidden sins nor put me to shame before His angels, and that I may sing to Him for ever: Alleluia.
Cleanse me, O all-holy one, from every defilement of flesh and spirit, drive despondency from me, enlighten the thoughts of my heart, grant me the remembrance of death. Guard my heart from the crafty passions and hear me as I sing thus:
Rejoice, my all-good Queen; rejoice, my most blessed intercessor; rejoice, help of those who struggle; rejoice, intercession of the oppressed; rejoice, consolation and comfort of mourners; rejoice, my hope at the hour of my death; rejoice, gladness of my soul; rejoice, beauty of the Church; rejoice, enlightenment of my mind; rejoice, comforter of all Christians; rejoice, firm entreater and mediator before God; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
Into the light of Thy holy angels how shall I, unworthy, enter, O God, my God? If I dare to enter that bridal chamber, my garment will expose me, for it is not a wedding garment. O Giver of life, through the entreaties of the Theotokos make bright the garment of my soul, that I may sing to Thee: Alleluia.
O heavenly, O blessed, O sweet voice of thine, which gladdeneth our hearts! Not in vain didst thou promise us that thou wouldst be with us until the end of the world, O Virgin Theotokos; by thy prayer the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the hungry are filled, the naked are clothed, widows are comforted, orphans rejoice, the poor are gladdened, sinners are saved and the needy keep festival, singing thus:
Rejoice, spiritual ark of God; rejoice, God-loving Queen; rejoice, thou who deliverest us from famine and slaughter, burning and ruin; rejoice, thou who guardest us from fire, the sword, invasion by foreigners and all civil war; rejoice, thou who stillest the raging sea and the troubled water; rejoice, thou who driest every tear from our eyes; rejoice, for thou hast truly loved us with a mother’s love; rejoice, bestower of divine grace; rejoice, thou who bearest in thy bosom eternal joy; rejoice, for thou preparest a quiet haven for our souls; rejoice, for thou art the unceasing gladness of all the people; Rejoice, our joy, who bearest in thy bosom the joy of all the world.
O all-hymned Mother, all-holy Queen, Virgin Theotokos, accept this our small prayer, O firm intercessor of those in sorrow and affliction. We entreat, through the precious and life-giving cross of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may grant us a contrite spirit, a humble heart, tears of compunction, forgiveness of our many transgressions and unfading joy, that in the Jerusalem on high we may sing to God the Saviour: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read thrice, and again Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1.
O all-holy Virgin, all-good Mother of the all-good Son, shelter of our God-protected people and of this church, intercessor and advocate of all who are in sins and sorrows, disregard not the prayers of thy sinful servants, but entreat thy Son and our God to grant fittingly joy to all who venerate thy wonderworking icon with faith and compunction: to sinners, coming to their senses, repentance and salvation; to those in trials and sorrows, comfort; to those in afflictions and wrath, deliverance from them; to the faint-hearted and hopeless, hope and patience; to those who live in joy and abundance, unceasing thankfulness to God; to those in sicknesses, healing and strengthening.
O all-holy Queen, be merciful to all who confess thine all-honourable name, and send down upon all thy shelter and intercession, O almighty one. Guard and cover thy people from enemies visible and invisible. Strengthen spouses in love and one mind. Bring up children, keep the young pure, open their minds to receive all good teaching. Shelter all men from strife in their households; grant us love and peace, godliness, health and length of days; for all in heaven and on earth see thee as the firm and unashamed intercessor of the Christian people, and thus they magnify thee and with thee thy Son, with His Father without beginning and His consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and all-spotless, and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of the holy great-martyr Queen Ketevan, luminary of Georgia, and of all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
