Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, by Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople

O glorious Lady Theotokos, hope of my life, hear my supplication and pity my sighs; accept my laments and be merciful to me. Moved by my tears, be good to me as the Mother of the King who loveth mankind; look upon me and regard my supplication; refresh this thirsting mind of mine, and join me to those who have been well-pleasing to thy Son from the ages, in the land of the meek, the dwelling of the righteous, and the assembly of the saints; and make me worthy, O Hope and Joy of all, O radiant Light, of their joy together with them. I entreat thee, O blessed one, by that truly ineffable joy of God and King born of thee, and by His all-desirable bridal chamber and His unfailing delight, and the unwaning light of which none hath his fill, and the endless kingdom. O Lady Theotokos, O my refuge, my helper and my life, my armour and boast, my hope and my strength: make me worthy with them to delight in the unspeakable and countless gifts of thy Son in the mansions of heaven. For I know that thou hast help whenever thou willest, and thou canst do all things as the Mother of the Most High. Therefore I dare to entreat thee: let me not fall short of my hope, O most holy Lady, but make me worthy to attain to it, O Bride of God, who didst bear beyond word the Hope of all, our Lord Jesus Christ, the true God and King, to whom be glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.