What does the word Theotokos mean in the canons? Theotokos, or Theotokos rule: full text of the prayer, reading rules

This article contains: how to read the prayer of the Theotokos - information taken from all over the world, the electronic network and spiritual people.

In Orthodoxy, the Virgin Mary is especially revered. It is believed that with their miraculous prayers to the Lord Holy Mother of God will save all Christians living on Earth.

Her image is depicted in many icons. Many of them depict the saint with the baby Jesus in her arms. The miracle of the virgin birth of a girl alone makes one believe in great power God's providence. The life of Mary is an example of meekness and humility for each of us.

Help of the Virgin Mary

Many Orthodox believers celebrate the miraculous power of the Mother of God. She saves and protects believers.

• The Virgin Mary is the patroness of all mothers.
• It can cure various ailments, including infertility.
• It is generally accepted that the image of the Mother of God saves believers from civil strife and wars.
• The Virgin Mary promotes childbirth, teaching, and raising children.

There is probably no situation in which the Most Holy Theotokos would not help Orthodox Christians.

Appeal to the Virgin Mary - Mother of God. What is this?

How does the saint help believers? The prayer book has a special section of appeals to the Virgin. It is called “Theotokos”. It is a collection of all prayers to the Most Holy Mother of God. They are used to resolve problems in any life situations, starting with pregnancy and childbirth and ending with the remembrance of the dead.

So, why is the prayer appeal to the Virgin Mary called the Theotokos? What is this?

The Theotokos is included in the required reading of the liturgy (morning service). The appeal to the Blessed Virgin is especially revered during great Orthodox holidays. It is believed that with her prayers the Mother of God protects all Christian churches and cathedrals and brings grace to believers.

The Holy Fathers noted that prayers addressed specifically to the Virgin Mary have special power. Therefore, it was decided to generalize them with the name Theotokos to indicate their great status. Currently, the meaning of the word has changed somewhat. Many temple ministers simply refer to this definition as an appeal to the Blessed Virgin.

How to read the Mother of God

The main prayer to the Virgin Mary is “Most Holy Theotokos, save us.” It is customary to read it in all life situations. This prayer provides salvation in case of danger and protection in good luck.

The Theotokos is read during the liturgy after the Our Father. Its text is repeated 33 times at a time. Then the main appeal to the Mother of God is made at the beginning of each part of the service.

Prayer before the sacrament of communion has special power. It is believed that it is during this period that the grace of God is imposed on the Christian. What is the Theotokos before communion? Turning to the Virgin Mary before the holy sacrament allows you to open the soul of the believer to God and forgive all his sins.

The Power of Prayer

The biography of the saint is considered an example for all Orthodox Christians. Even during the life of the Mother of God, prayerful appeal to her saved believers from adversity and troubles. In the period after her death to this day, the great Virgin Mary never ceases to patronize Christians.

Almost every believer notes her help in the most difficult situations.

The Most Pure Virgin more than once showed her love for the Orthodox in the form of myrrh-streaming icons, miraculous healing from the belt of the Virgin Mary, the manifestation of grace during the celebration of the Nativity, the Assumption and the entrance to the temple.

Will the Mother of God help?

Many skeptics argue that a prayerful appeal to a saint is nothing more than simply programming one’s thoughts and actions for certain actions. Their result will not be help from the Mother of God, but the logical result of their work. However, the holy fathers note that such a judgment is so superficial that it is not even taken into account. Help for Christians in prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary has been provided for more than 2000 years. Such a duration of miraculous phenomena and millions of grateful Christians are the best proof of the power and influence of prayer.

Reading the Theotokos at home

An Orthodox Christian does not have to constantly attend church services. You can perform home prayers. They are usually performed in the morning after waking up and before going to bed.

Homemade Mother of God - what is it? Every Orthodox Christian should have a special corner in their place of residence for turning to God. Central location it is occupied by icons (the Savior, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Fathers).

Here you can pray to the Lord. In the same corner they read the Theotokos. A burning candle or lamp installed next to icons can also serve as a symbol of faith. It is customary to turn to the Virgin Mary in prayer for yourself and your loved ones, as well as for already deceased Orthodox Christians.

And yet the Mother of God - what is it? This is a prayer that can help and provide any assistance to those who ask. Appeal to the Holy Virgin Mary through the Mother of God is one of the best ways purification of the Christian soul.

Abbreviations for prayers adopted in prayer books

In prayer books and liturgical books, some frequently used prayers and even small series of prayers are not given in full each time, but are indicated abbreviated. Such abbreviations - for example, the abbreviation “Glory, and now:” - are found in almost all prayer books. This not only saves space, but is also very convenient for experienced readers and singers. However, a novice prayer book can sometimes be confused by abbreviations that are not yet familiar to him. Therefore, we provide for our readers a list of the most common abbreviations that can be found in prayer books.

There are much more abbreviations of this kind in liturgical books: they are designed for the reader to have a firm knowledge of a very wide range of prayers and chants. In the Church Slavonic tradition, the indicator of such a contraction is the colon (:) - it plays here a role similar to the role of the ellipsis (...) in modern Russian writing.

"Glory, even now: (or: “Glory: And now:”) - Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

"Glory:"- Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

"and now:"- And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Attention! In the Psalter, each of the kathismas - the twenty parts into which the Psalter is divided for reading - is divided into three parts, after each of which it is usually written: "Glory:"(this is why these parts are called “Glories”). In this (and only this) case the designation "Glory:" replaces the following prayers:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, O God. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.

Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, be hallowed your name, may your kingdom come; Thy will be done as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reduction “Come, let us worship...” should read:

Come, let us worship our King God. (Bow)

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King God. (Bow)

Come, let us bow and fall down to Christ Himself, the King and our God. (Bow).

Instead of Theotokos we usually say: Holy Mother of God, save us, and instead Trinity : Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee, or Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Orthodox prayer Theotokos for the believer

A novice Orthodox Christian, having bought a prayer book, can look into it and see many abbreviations. Not every prayer book contains explanations, and therefore you have to go to a priest or more experienced believing friends for clarification. Among other abbreviations you can often find the word Bogorodichen. What does it mean?

This short version The phrase “Theotokos prayer” means that, in order, in the place where it is written, a specific prayer addressed to the Mother of God should be read. In prayer rules for the laity, this is, as a rule, the prayer Most Holy Theotokos, save us. In liturgical practice, the word Bogorodichen means a chant dedicated to the Queen of Heaven.

Bogorodichen dogmatist

People who came to the service on Saturday evening Orthodox church, they often hear the exclamation of the reader on the choir: the Mother of God is a dogmatist. Following this exclamation, the choir sings a short solemn chant, containing praise of the Mother of God and at the same time glorifying the two principles of Her Son: divine and human.

There are eight Mother of God dogmatists in total, they are also called the dogmatists of eight voices, and they are sung only on the eve of Great Vespers. Sorrowful hymns dedicated to the weeping of the Mother of God at the Cross are called the Theotokos of the Cross.

Theotokos prayers for the Orthodox believer

All orthodox prayers, addressed to the Mother of God, are usually called the Mother of God prayers. There are a great many of them in the Orthodox Church, since the Mother of God is very revered by believers, and it is customary to turn to Her in all important life situations, both sorrowful and joyful. The Blessed Virgin is glorified at all services, remembered at all church holidays, because by her example she showed a model of true humility, submission to the will of God, love for God and sympathy for people, despite the fact that she experienced a lot of grief.

Orthodox texts of the Mother of God prayers are read by Orthodox Christians morning and evening, before the beginning and at the end of any task. There are also especially solemn Mother of God prayers for home reading - akathists and canons. You can listen to akathists and canons in recordings, professionally performed by church choirs, since they are traditionally sung.

Listen to the video of the prayer of the Theotokos

Read the text of the Orthodox Mother of God prayer

Accept, O All-merciful, Most Pure Lady Theotokos, these honorable gifts, the only one applied to You, from us, Thy unworthy servants, chosen from all generations, the highest of all creatures of heaven and earth. Because for Your sake the Lord of hosts was with us, and through You we knew the Son of God, and became worthy of His holy body and His most pure blood; In the same way, you are blessed in the birth of generations, God-blessed, the brightest of the cherubim and the most honest of the seraphim. And now, all-singing, Most Holy Theotokos, do not cease praying for us, Thy unworthy servants, that we may be delivered from every evil advice and from every situation, and that we may be preserved unharmed from every poisonous pretext of the devil. But even to the end, through Your prayers, keep us uncondemned: for through Your intercession and help we are saved; glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for everything in the Trinity to the one God, and all to the Creator, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, amen.

What is the Theotokos Rule?

It is more correct to do this in one go. After every ten, the Our Father is said and “ Open the doors of mercy to us, blessed Mother of God, who trust in You, so that we may not perish, but may be delivered from troubles by You: for You are the salvation of the Christian race.“Then the troparion corresponding to one of the events in the life of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The rule itself is divided into 15 steps of 10 prayers, symbolizing key events in the life of the Mother of God. Below, the schemes of the Theotokos Rule will be discussed in detail. If you don’t have time at all, then you can simply say the prayer of the Theotokos Rule 150 times. Sometimes, in addition to the diagrams of the Theotokos rule, it is useful to additionally read the Theotokos 150 times continuously.

Only, if you do it correctly, it will be very tough and not at all easy. After all, it is necessary to pronounce with maximum, one hundred percent, attention to every word of the prayer. So that during all 150 prayers no extraneous thought breaks into your consciousness. This is very, very difficult and for a beginner it is impossible without long practice. As soon as an extraneous thought appears, you should not count this bead of the rosary and continue with the previous bead. And so every time. Thus, your Mother of God rule can last for several hours, or even for the whole day.

But, gradually, day by day, it will become easier for you to cope with and manage your mind wandering. Remember that the enemy of human souls and his servants are afraid like the fire of the Mother of God prayer and they will interfere with your rule in every possible way.

What to interfere with and how? Extraneous distracting thoughts weaken your prayer, you may even fall asleep for a while. Remember that all these are the machinations of demons, of which there are many darkness around you. By showing persistence and effort in creating the Rule of the Theotokos, you will be able to gradually defeat them all, so it is very important not to count the rosary bead if your attention to prayer has weakened. In this case, the demons will be forced to retreat and leave you, because for every obstacle from them, you react by lengthening the time of the Mother of God rule, which is destructive for them.

How to read the prayer of the Theotokos

Trinity Church Terbuny

I recommend to all my Orthodox readers to apply the Theotokos rule - it is very strong prayer! If your heart is heavy, if any troubles have happened, read the Mother of God rule, and everything will be resolved. The Most Holy Theotokos will never leave those who call on her for help in trouble. The main thing is to pray with all your heart.

Always read “Theotokos”, and then the Mother of God will always protect you from all temptations. Even when you go to a store or any other public place, read the “Virgin Mary”, then there will be no temptations. The Mother of God helps those who read this prayer to move away from all temptations, otherwise there will definitely be temptations. And on the way, so that everything goes smoothly, read “Theotokos.” If you have to encounter any surprises along the way, then do not be afraid of anything, do not worry, do not worry, for “even if I go to hell, if you, Lord, are with me, my heart will not fear.” Wherever you are: at work, at home, in the dorm…. They swear there, they scold, but you read the Jesus Prayer or the “Virgin Mary”, and you will always be with the Lord, with Mother of God. Don't be afraid! The Lord will not allow anything to harm you.

The holy saints of God - Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Sergei of Radonezh, St. Seraphim of Sarov and others - tell us that no matter how we call them, no matter how we glorify them, the more perfect way is to call on the Mother of God in order to overcome all sinful inclinations . She is the All-Good, the first Helper in everything!

The Queen of Heaven herself gave people this rule in the 8th century, and all Christians once followed it, and then they forgot about it.

The Mother of God rule - read 150 times “To the Virgin Mary...”:

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN THE PRAYER BOOK?

The word Theotokos in the prayer book often confuses beginning Christians. Let's first look at the etymology of the word Bogorodichen. Translated from Church Slavonic, it means “belonging to the Mother of God.” This is how Orthodox Christians call all prayers, canons and akathists addressed to the Most Holy Theotokos.

But in the prayer book, Theotokos means the most common Orthodox prayer, containing at the same time a petition to the Queen of Heaven and to all persons of the Holy Trinity: Most Holy Theotokos, save us, Lord, cleanse our sins, Master, forgive our iniquities, Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, name For your sake. There is no need to read the word Theotokos itself.

In addition to the Bogorodichna, the prayer book usually contains several other abbreviations. Thus, the word Trisagion means a prayer to the Holy Trinity, which is read before the start of any prayer rule: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us, and when we see the abbreviation Glory, and now, we should pronounce it in full: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Why does a believer need a leather prayer book?

The Theotokos in the prayer book is not limited to the prayer mentioned above. Over two thousand years of Christianity, the holy elders wrote a huge number of prayers addressed to the Mother of God. The veneration of the Mother of God dates back to the very first followers of Christ. Even during the life of the Most Pure One, the glory of Her spread throughout the Christian world, although She Herself did not want this and did not achieve it. But just as a lamp is difficult to hide at night, so the light of grace emanating from the Mother of our Savior attracted people to itself. Church tradition tells that the Mother of God was unusually meek and humble, never offended or humiliated anyone, and never spoke evil words to anyone. She accepted everyone who came to Her with prayers, despite fatigue and illness.

Therefore, even today, reading the Mother of God in the prayer book, we count on Her mercy and help. Some theologians write that the Mother of God is at the same time the Mother of all Christians, caring and loving, through whose prayers Her Son works real miracles. That is why there is so much of Her in Orthodoxy miraculous icons, that is why morning and evening prayers, as well as prayers for Communion necessarily contain so many prayers to the Mother of God. And some Orthodox prayer books even contain prayers to the Mother of God for every occasion in life - they are called prayer books for every need. Thus, the Theotokos in the prayer book is one of the most common prayers.

Where can I buy a leather prayer book?

An Orthodox prayer book is a book that helps Christians communicate with the Lord. As with any holy book, believers try to treat the prayer book with respect and decorate it in every possible way. IN Lately In this regard, leather prayer books, distinguished by their beauty and good quality, have become very popular.

The word Theotokos in the prayer book often confuses beginning Christians. Let's first look at the etymology of the word Bogorodichen. Translated from Church Slavonic, it means “belonging to the Mother of God.” This is how Orthodox Christians call all prayers, canons and akathists addressed to the Most Holy Theotokos.

But in the prayer book, Theotokos means the most common Orthodox prayer, containing at the same time a petition to the Queen of Heaven and to all persons of the Holy Trinity: Most Holy Theotokos, save us, Lord, cleanse our sins, Master, forgive our iniquities, Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, name For your sake. There is no need to read the word Theotokos itself.

In addition to the Bogorodichna, the prayer book usually contains several other abbreviations. Thus, the word Trisagion means a prayer to the Holy Trinity, which is read before the beginning of any prayer rule: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us, and when we see the abbreviation Glory, and now, we should say it in full: Glory to the Father and the Son and To the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.

Why does a believer need a leather prayer book?

The Theotokos in the prayer book is not limited to the prayer mentioned above. Over two thousand years of Christianity, the holy elders wrote a huge number of prayers addressed to the Mother of God. The veneration of the Mother of God dates back to the very first followers of Christ. Even during the life of the Most Pure One, the glory of Her spread throughout the Christian world, although She Herself did not want this and did not achieve it. But just as a lamp is difficult to hide at night, so the light of grace emanating from the Mother of our Savior attracted people to itself. Church tradition tells that the Mother of God was unusually meek and humble, never offended or humiliated anyone, and never spoke evil words to anyone. She accepted everyone who came to Her with prayers, despite fatigue and illness.

Therefore, even today, reading the Mother of God in the prayer book, we count on Her mercy and help. Some theologians write that the Mother of God is at the same time the Mother of all Christians, caring and loving, through whose prayers Her Son works real miracles. This is why there are so many of Her miraculous icons in Orthodoxy, this is why morning and evening prayers, as well as prayers for Communion, necessarily contain so many prayers to the Mother of God. And some Orthodox prayer books even contain prayers to the Mother of God for every occasion in life - they are called prayer books for every need. Thus, the Theotokos in the prayer book is one of the most common prayers.

Where can I buy a leather prayer book?

An Orthodox prayer book is a book that helps Christians communicate with the Lord. As with any holy book, believers try to treat the prayer book with respect and decorate it in every possible way. Recently, leather prayer books, distinguished by their beauty and good quality, have become very popular in this regard.

Leather prayer books are presented in different price categories: from the most budgetary to expensive editions with silver overlays and corners, with gold edges of the pages. Some bindings are even decorated with precious stones - such a prayer book will be a wonderful gift for any believer.

There is no shame in giving a leather prayer book as a gift even to a person who, as they say today, has everything. However, buying a leather prayer book and putting it on a shelf is not enough - do not forget that you should definitely pray through it, only in this case will it live up to its name.

Listen to the video of the Theotokos, voice 2

The forms of veneration of saints are varied; each one needs to offer certain texts. You also need to pray to the Most Holy Theotokos in a special way, so you should immediately find out what the Theotokos is in the prayer book and what rules you need to follow when reading it.

Mother of God in the church hierarchy

For believers, the highest position of the Mother of God in the religious hierarchy is obvious. She comes second to God, above the angels and saints. According to Orthodox teaching, God is represented in 3 persons:

• Father;
• Holy Spirit.

The Virgin Mary became the mother of Jesus Christ after God's grace descended on her and the immaculate conception occurred. After 9 months, Christ appeared, combining the features of God and man.

The Mother of God was always with him, sharing his hardships and hardships, and saw the suffering of Christ on the cross, death and resurrection. All this made it possible for her to understand the needs of people and help them.

After the death of the Mother of God, her veneration began, many icons streamed myrrh, today there are about 800 icons, in front of which believers pray and receive what they ask for, miraculous help is expressed in numerous healings. The number of texts containing appeals to the Most Pure Mother of God is large.

Types of prayers

Anyone can pray before the image of the Most Holy Theotokos; people often resort to her help:

• to receive bodily healing;
• beg your spouse, child;
• ask for help in raising children;
• find consolation in sorrows;
• resolve complex problems;
• gain mutual understanding with loved ones;
• improve your spiritual life;
• understand your purpose.

All these requests are expressed in various forms, choosing one form or another should take into account a number of circumstances. The most common forms:

• short prayerful sighing;
• appeals in prayers in the morning and at bedtime;
• prayer Virgin Mary, rejoice;
• rule to the Mother of God - repeat the above prayer 150 times;
• prayer or penitential canon;
• Akathists read in front of various icons of the Mother of God in church and at home.

You can pray in front of the images of the Virgin Mary at home or in church; each option has its own characteristics. There are also special chants - Theotokos, which are in many ways universal.

At all church services, chants dedicated to the Mother of God are heard, because her role in the salvation of the human race is enormous.

Hymn of the Theotokos at the service

The Theotokos can be heard during divine services; this is a special chant dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos. It can be performed in 3 different ways:

• stichera - a text reminiscent of a hymn, pronounced along with psalms from the book of Psalms;
• troparion - a short chant reflecting the essence of a church holiday;
• sedalen - when the chant is being performed, it is allowed to sit.

The Theotokos are usually used at the end of a stichera, troparion or sedalena. You can read this text in all liturgical publications, except the Gospel. You can hear the Theotokos at any service.

There is also a division into 4 groups when they are proclaimed:

• on Sunday and on holidays - after stichera;
• on Sunday, as well as on holidays after the troparions of dismissal;
• on weekdays - after stichera;
• on weekdays - after the troparions of dismissal.

Usually they are at the end of the verse Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Amen, Theotokos are divided by tone, their location is at the end of the liturgical books (appendix).

An important group is the Theotokos dogmatists, there are 8 of them according to the number of voices, they set forth in a concise form the dogmas - immutable establishments concerning the Most Holy Theotokos.

Their presence means the exaltation of the role of the Blessed Virgin in the salvation of humanity; she is able to beg Christ to have mercy on sinners. The main idea is that Christ became incarnate from the virgin Mary through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

At the services of the Theotokos, the dogmatists sound very beautiful; their place in the service is after the stichera on the Lord, the invocation during Sunday Vespers.

Another variety is the Holy Cross, which reveals the full depth of the suffering of the Mother of God, when the Lord was on the cross, she let everything pass through her heart. Time and place of prayers:

• Vespers on Tuesday, Thursday;
• Matins on Wednesday and Friday.

At these services, the Cross of the Lord is venerated, its greatness and the grief of the Mother of God are sung.

Dogmas of the Prayer Books

Many believers who are just beginning to carefully read the prayer book often come across incomprehensible abbreviations there, which are separated by a comma or colon. These abbreviations are also present in liturgical books.

Abbreviations

The purpose of their placement is that long text takes up space, and abbreviations help better adapt to their reproduction in the service of readers and singers. You need to know the most common abbreviations accepted in theological practice.

• Glory, and Now should be read like this:

Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

In addition to the prayer books, they are found in each of the 20 kathismas of the Psalter, dividing the kathisma into 3 parts.

• Trisagion - 3 should be recited:

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

• Trinity:

Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.

• When the Theotokos is written in the prayer book, it is necessary to say:

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

This constant calling on the Mother of God allows you to always be under her protection, makes it possible to be convinced that her role is great, she saves people who have even serious sins. In the prayer book of inexperienced Christians, abbreviations can be misleading, but phrases should be spoken in full.

The phrase “Most Holy Theotokos, save us” must be read not only during the rule, but also to call on the Virgin Mary for help with a brief appeal whenever it is difficult, it is not clear how to act correctly in complicated situations.

Canons

Communion is the most important sacrament for an Orthodox Christian, during which he incomprehensibly enters into communion with Christ, taking into himself his body and blood, which are given at the liturgy in the form of bread and wine.

To receive these shrines with dignity, the believer must carefully prepare. In addition to fasting for 3 days, when it is forbidden to eat animal food, it is necessary to go to confession with a priest in the church where communion is expected.

• repentant to the Lord;
• prayer service to the Mother of God;
• Guardian Angel.

Many also read the penitential canon to the Most Holy Theotokos. Both canons guide the believer to the knowledge of spiritual wisdom, revealing to him the biblical story, the events of which still resonate today. The canon is built according to the same scheme: 9 songs, the first and last are dedicated to the Mother of God.

The first hymn of the prayer canon contains the recognition of one’s sins, the presence of numerous passions, mental and physical illnesses, which only the Mother of God can cure.

The final song of the prayer canon is a request to the Virgin Mary to bring joy and enlighten a gloomy soul. Penitential canon

contains more repentant sighs, awareness of one’s sinfulness, the only hope for the help of the Mother of God. Sinners have great fear, but they also have great faith in the mercy of the Blessed Virgin; she can beg the Lord for the forgiveness of all sins.

A Christian receives great benefit by praying the canons. They spiritually enlighten the believer and reveal to him the heights of theology. Spiritual authors have captured in each canon the inexhaustible treasures of the Christian faith. Anyone who carefully prays the canons constantly draws from them more and more Divine truths related to our eternal salvation. A Christian learns through the canons the immeasurable depth and breadth of God’s love for people, the sacred history of the Old Testament and New Testament Churches, high examples of Christian morality and many other soul-saving edifications. These sacred chants give tenderness and meekness to those praying, drive away despondency, sadness, cowardice, eradicate sinful thoughts, dispel doubts, confirm faith, and fill hearts with joy in the Lord.

In order for the holy canons to become the desired spiritual food for the soul, it is necessary to cleanse oneself of sinful defilement by fasting, prayer, tearful contrition for sins, and holy prayers. There are believers who pray only (in the hope of having good luck in temporary life) to the monk (for deliverance from the eternal torment of those who died without repentance), as well as canons: general for the dead and for the same-dead (one-dead). The rest of the canons are of little interest to them. This attitude towards the holy canons is wrong. You may not achieve the desired goal in your prayer if you neglect the canons of the Most Holy Trinity, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Most Holy Theotokos, angels, saints of God, church holidays, etc. Whoever prays the canons with zeal, generously receives Heavenly mercies by joining the liturgical life of the Holy Church. His life begins to flow along the church channel leading to the Heavenly world. The saints continually offer prayers to God for him, with whom he enters into close prayerful communication.

If at first the content of the Church Slavonic text is completely incomprehensible to you, then for this reason you should not stop reading the canons. On the contrary, you need to pray the canons more often and more diligently, and the Lord will be a constant Helper in your good deeds. God will answer your prayer if it is sincere and ardent and comes from the depths of your heart, even when you do not yet understand its Slavic expression. You just need to have a desire to comprehend the text, translate it using a Church Slavonic dictionary, and think about the content. Over time, you will experience joy and spiritual tenderness from prayer; words that previously seemed unusual will gradually become the sweetest Divine meal in your spiritual life. Before prayerfully reading the canons, you must familiarize yourself with all the explanations, instructions and footnotes related to the statutory order. Anyone who even begins to pray the canons for the first time will be able to figure out their sequence without any difficulty. It is useful for beginners to first read out loud several times slowly an unusual Slavic text. Try to constantly enrich your memory with the sacred content of the canons.

Brief explanation of terms and abbreviations related to canons and prayers

All canons in the section are set out in relation to home prayer without a priest, and therefore the text of the Gospel and other prayers of the priest are not published.

Glory - where it says “Glory”, then you need to read: glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

And now - where it is written “And now”, then you need to read: and now and ever and forever and ever, amen.

Bow - whenever “bow” is indicated in parentheses, we make the sign of the cross and bow our heads to waist level.

Troparion is a special hymn read before the canon, which in short words contains either praise to the saint, or reveals the greatness and image of his spiritual state, or a concise description of his life.

Kontakion - read according to the 6th song of the canon and contains a brief praise of the saint or a brief narrative about the sacred event of the holiday.

Ikos is a special chant after kontakion, briefly characterizing a holiday or a saint.

Sedalen - read from the 3rd song of the canon and contains a brief praise of a saint or holiday.

Irmos is the first verse in each song of the canon, which is sung in a special tune. The content reveals various moments of the Old Testament Church history, as well as touching petitions to the Almighty and the saints.

Chorus - before each verse in the song of the canon, a short prayer address to the saint to whom the canon is read. For example: " Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us" Where in the canons it is written: “Start”, then you need to read the words of the chorus, placed after the irmos of the first song.

Theotokos - in each canon, the last verse of each song of the canon is dedicated to the Mother of God. In some canons, the Savior also has “Theotokos”.

Katavasia - in prayer canons it is sung after each song, as an enhanced prayer-petition to the saint to whom the canon is read.

Zadostoinik - after the 9th song of the canon, a prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos with a request to accept our spiritual work.

The beginning is common to all canons

Small, seven-bowed began. It is always performed at the beginning and at the end of church and home prayers.

It is worthy to eat, for truly the blessedness of Theotokos, ever blessed and most blameless, and the Mother of our God. We magnify the most honorable cherub and the most glorious seraphim, without the corruption of God the Word, the real Mother of God Thee (bow to the ground).

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (bow).
And now and ever and forever and ever, amen (bow).
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord bless (bow).

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, by the power of the Honest and Life-giving Cross, and my holy guardian angel, and for all the saints, have mercy and save me, for I am Good and Lover of Mankind, amen (bow to the ground without the sign of the cross).

God, be merciful to me, a sinner (bow).
Welcome me back, Lord, and have mercy on me (bow).
Without number of sins, Lord, have mercy and forgive me, a sinner (bow).

According to the usual beginning, the layman says:

For the prayers of the saints, our fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. A min (bow).

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us (three times, with bows). Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen. Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Saints, visit and heal our infirmities; for your name's sake. Lord have mercy (three times). Glory, even now.

Our Father, Who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us our daily bread this day. And forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation. But deliver us from the evil one.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Ah min. (bow).

Come, let us bow to the King our God (bow).

Come, let us bow to Christ, the King and our God (bow).

Come, let us bow and fall before the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the King and our God (bow).

Psalm 142. Lord, hear my prayer, inspire my prayer in Your truth, hear me in Your righteousness. And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living will be vindicated before You. For the enemy has driven away my soul, and has humbled my life to eat in the earth. He made me sit in darkness, like the dead of an age, and my spirit was sad within me, my heart was troubled within me. I have remembered the days of old, I have learned in all Your deeds, and in Your deeds I have learned Your hand. I lift up my hands to You. My soul is like a waterless land to You. Hear me soon, Lord, my spirit has disappeared. Do not turn Your face away from me, and I will become like those who go down into the pit. I hear you show me Your mercy in the morning, for I have trusted in You. Tell me, Lord, the way, but I will go, because I have taken my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me to the right land. For Thy name's sake, Lord, live me, by Thy righteousness remove my soul from sorrow. And consume Thy mercy unto my enemies, and destroy all my cold souls, for I am Thy servant.

Glory, even now. And liluia, halleluia, glory to you, God (three times, with bows). Lord have mercy (12 times).

Glory, even now.

God is the Lord and has appeared to us, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Verse 1: And confess to the Lord that He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

Verse 2: They have gone around me, and in the name of the Lord I resisted them.

Verse 3: I will not die, but I will live and carry out the works of the Lord. Verse 4: The stone that was built carelessly, This was the chief cornerstone, This came from the Lord, and is marvelous in our eyes

(after each verse we say: God is the Lord). The beginning of the canons is the same until God Lord

and verses 1–4 inclusive, and then the order is as follows: the troparia of the canons are read, Psalm 50 and the canon (one or more) begins.

Order of reading the canons

All canons are different, but conditionally they can be divided into several types:

1. Lord's canons. These are the canons of the Lord Jesus (Savior), the Holy Trinity, the Cross and other Lord's holidays, which include: Easter, the Nativity of Christ, the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Exaltation, the week of Thomas and others. Usually in such canons there is a chant for the holiday (for example, “Glory to the Lord, Thy Nativity”) or “Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.”
2. Theotokos canons. These are canons dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos and the Mother of God holidays, such as: the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the Annunciation, the Dormition, the appearance of the Kazan Icon and others. Usually in such canons the chant is “Most Holy Lady Theotokos, save us.”
3. Canons to saints. These are canons dedicated to the memory of saints.

Canons by rank:

1. Savior (or Cross)
2. Mother of God
3. Archangels
4. Angels
5. Holy Prophet John the Baptist, Baptist of the Lord
6. Apostles
7. Prophets
8. Hieromartyrs and Hieroconfessors
9. Great martyrs and martyrs
10. Saints
11. Reverends
12. For Christ's sake holy fools
13. Righteous

Charter on troparions before the canon

Canon of the Lord and the Theotokos

When you pray together the canon to the Lord and the canon to the Most Holy Theotokos: troparion of the canon to the Lord (twice). Glory, even now. Troparion of the Canon to the Virgin Mary. For the third song: Kontakion and Ikos of the Canon of the Theotokos. Glory to the canon of the Lord. And now, the sedal of the canon to the Mother of God. From the sixth song: Kontakion and Ikos of the Canon to the Lord. If you eat two canons: the Savior (or Cross) and the saint (or Angel); say the troparion to the Savior twice. Glory: to the saint. And now: I will save. It’s the same with the Mother of God and the saint..

Canon of the Lord and the Saint (Theotokos and the Saint)

When you pray together the canon of the Lord and the canon of the saint (or the canon of the Mother of God and the canon of the saint): the troparion of the canon to the Lord (or the canon to the Theotokos) twice. Glory, troparion of the canon to the saint. And now, the troparion of the canon to the Lord (or the canon to the Theotokos). For the third song: kontakion and ikos of the canon to the saint. Glory to the saint of the canon. And now, the seat of the canon of the Lord (or the canon of the Theotokos).
From the sixth song: Kontakion and Ikos of the Canon of the Lord (or the Canon of the Theotokos).

Canon of the Lord, Theotokos and one or more saints

When you pray together a canon to the Lord, a canon to the Mother of God, one or more canons to the saints: Troparion of the canon to the Lord (twice), troparion of the canons to the saints (how many canons you will read). Glory, troparion to the saint of the last canon. And now, the troparion of the canon to the Mother of God. For the third song: Kontakion and Ikos of the Canon of the Theotokos. Kontakia and ikos from the canons of saints. Sedal of the canon to the Lord. Sedalen from the canons of saints (how many canons you pray). Glory to the saint of the last canon. And now, the sedal of the canon to the Mother of God. From the sixth song: kontakion and ikos of the canon to the Lord. If it happens to sing the feast of Christ (or the Cross), the Mother of God and the saint, then first say the troparion to the feast, twice. Also, Glory: to the saint. And now: Mother of God.

Canon of the Theotokos and one or more saints

When you pray the canon to the Mother of God and several canons to the saints: troparion of the canon to the Mother of God (twice), troparion of all, except the last, canons to the saints (how many canons you pray). Glory, troparion to the saint of the last canon. And now, the troparion of the canon to the Mother of God. (If the canon to the Theotokos contains two troparions, then on And now the second troparion to the Theotokos is read). For the third song: We read the kontakia and ikos to the saints in order, just as you pray the canons. Then the sedals are also in order. Glory to the saint of the last canon. Therefore, the troparion to the feast of Christ or the Mother of God, to which you wish to sing, say it twice. Glory, even now: still the same. If you eat two canons: the Feast of Christ and the Mother of God, then say first the Feast of Christ troparion twice. Glory, even now: to the feast of the Virgin Mary.

Order of reading the catavasia

When you pray several canons at once, then after reading each song, the confusions of all the canons are read together in order, and only after the last confusion - Lord have mercy (three times with bows).

If the Savior, the Mother of God, the Angel and the Saint: say Troparion to the Savior, Angel, Glory: to the saint, And now: to the Mother of God (all in one).

If you eat the only saint, then say Troparion to the saint, twice. Glory, even now: the Mother of God is resurrected according to the voice of the holy troparion. And now, the sedal of the canon to the Mother of God.
From the sixth song: Kontakion and Ikos of the Canon of the Theotokos. (If the canon of the Theotokos contains two kontakia, then we read them in order, then the ikos).

When you pray two or more canons to saints: the troparion of the canon to the first saint twice, we read the troparion of the remaining canons to the saints once. Glory, troparion of the last canon. And now, the Mother of God of the last canon. For the third song: kontakion and ikos of the second canon, third and others in order. Sedalene of the first canon and others in order. Glory, sedals of the last canon. And now, theotokos. From the sixth song: kontakion and ikos of the first canon. Always, no matter how many canons are prayed, only the Irmos of the first canon is read or sung. Before each verse, the chorus is read, which is placed in the first song of each canon. Only in the canon that is read last, in the last two verses it says - before the penultimate verse - Glory, before the last - And now.

After the troparia it is read.

Psalm 50. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy. And according to the multitude of Your compassions, cleanse my iniquity. Above all, wash me from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my iniquity, and I will take away my sin before me. I have sinned and done evil before You alone. For you may be justified in your words and overcome without ever being judged. Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sins my mother gave birth to me. Behold, you have loved the truth; You have shown me Your unknown and secret wisdom. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Hear my joy and gladness, the humble bones will rejoice. Turn away Your face from my sins and cleanse all my iniquities. Create a pure heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not turn me away from Your face and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of Your salvation and strengthen me with the Lord’s Spirit. I will teach the wicked your way, and wickedness will turn to you. Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation; my tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness. Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will declare Your praise. As if he had wanted a sacrifice, he would have given it; You do not favor burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit: a contrite and humble heart God will not despise. Bless Zion with Your favor, O Lord; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, the offering and the burnt offering. Then they will place the calf on Your altar.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Ah min.

And the canon is read.

Charter on the sedalna according to the 3rd song of the canon

Therefore, the canon, whatever you please: a holiday or a saint.

It is appropriate for vedati: if you eat two or more canons, then we always sing the irmos only of the 1st canon, and leave the other irmos.

For the first canons, each troparion has its own chants; Glory, even now, is not said, but is said in the last canon to the last troparia; to the penultimate one: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; and to the last one: And now and forever and forever and ever, amen.

We chant all the chaos of each canon and bow, and then sing again: Lord, have mercy (three times, with bows).

Decree on sedals, according to the 3rd song. When you sing the canon to the Savior, the Cross and the Mother of God, one at a time: after Katavasia and Lord, have mercy (three times, with bows): Glory, and now: sedalen (or ipakoy), once. If you have two sedals, then you have one saddle; Glory, and now: others.

When there are two canons, the Savior (or Cross) and the Mother of God: say kontakion and ikos (junior canon) to the Mother of God. Slava: saddle to Spas. And now: seated to the Mother of God. It’s the same with the Mother of God and the saint (or angel).

Also to the Savior (or Cross), the Mother of God, the Angel and the Saint: kontakion and ikos to the Mother of God; Kontakion and Ikos by the Angel; kontakion and ikos to the saint; sedalny Spasu; seated by Angel; Glory: sedal to the saint; And now: seated to the Mother of God.

Should the saint alone: ​​sit with the saint, once; Glory, even now: the Mother of God (like the rest).

Charter on kontakia and ikos according to the 6th song of the canon

According to the 6th song we only use the verb kontakion and ikos of the 1st (senior) canon.

The common end to all canons

When you pray several canons, then at the end of them after the Trisagion and the Our Father, the Jesus Prayer, the order is as follows:
I. When you pray together the canon to the Lord and the canon to the Most Holy Theotokos: troparion of the canon to the Lord, troparion of the canon to the Theotokos. Glory, kontakion of the canon to the Lord. And now, the kontakion of the canon to the Mother of God.
II. When you pray together the canon of the Lord and the canon of the saint (or the canon of the Mother of God and the canon of the saint): troparion of the canon to the Lord (or canon to the Mother of God), troparion of the canon to the saint. Glory, kontakion of the canon to the saint. And now, the kontakion of the canon to the Lord (or the canon to the Theotokos).
III. When you pray together a canon to the Lord, a canon to the Mother of God, one or more canons to the saints: troparion of the canon to the Lord, troparion of the canon to the Mother of God, troparion of the canons to the saints (how many canons you pray). Kontakion of the canon to the Lord, kontakion of the canons to the saints (how many canons you pray). Glory, kontakion to the last saint. And now, kontakion to the Mother of God.
IV. When you pray the canon to the Mother of God and several canons to the saints: troparion of the canon to the Mother of God and troparion of the canons to the saints. Kontakia of canons for saints, except for the last canon. Glory, kontakion of the last canon to the saint. And now, the kontakion of the canon to the Mother of God.
V. When you pray two or more canons to the saints: troparia of all canons to the saints, kontakia of all canons to the saints (in a row). Glory, kontakion of the last saint. And now, the Mother of God, written after the troparion of the last canon to the saint.
And then the ending is the same as when you pray one canon: Lord have mercy (40) and further to the end.

After completing the canons, the honorable man:

After completing the canon (after Katavasia on the ninth song), we sing (those who cannot sing, read) the honorable man:
In Ladychitse, accept the prayer of Your servants, and deliver us from all need and sorrow. You are the Mother of God, our weapon and wall. You are the intercessor, and we resort to You, and even now we call on You for prayer, that you may deliver us from our enemies. Let us exalt You, all the immaculate Mother of Christ our God, South of autumn the Holy Spirit. (Bow to the ground).
This deserving person is always sung, except for the great feasts of Christ and the Theotokos, for then instead of this deserving person the irmos of the 9th song of the canon is sung for the holiday.
Then we read the Holy Trinity, according to Our Father.
Jesus Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
1. When you pray the canon to the Lord (the same order applies when you pray the canon to the cross or the canon to the Mother of God), then read the troparion of the canon. (If the canon has two troparions, then read both in a row). Glory, and now, the kontakion of the canon (if the canon has two kontakia, then read both in a row).
2. When you pray the canon to a saint, read the troparion of the canon. Glory, kontakion of the canon. And now, the Mother of God, which was written after the troparion.
Further, the ending is the same, regardless of who you pray to the canon and how many canons are read.
Lord have mercy (40) . Glory, even now. We magnify Thee, the most honorable Cherub and the most glorious Seraphim, without the corruption of God the Word, who gave birth to the real Mother of God (bow to the ground). Lord have mercy (twice with bows), God bless (bow). And the dismissal written at the end of the canon (if you pray any canon on Sunday, then at the beginning of the dismissal two words are added: To the resurrection from the dead.... For example: To the resurrection from the dead Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God...). INITIAL BOWINGS (they are also ARRIVAL BOWINGS).

In the lady, accept the prayer of Your servant, and deliver us from all need and sorrow. You are the Mother of God, our weapon and wall, You are the Intercessor, and we resort to You, We still call You to prayer, that You may deliver us from our enemies. Let us exalt you all, the Most Immaculate Mother of Christ our God, and the Most Holy Spirit of the autumn (bow to the ground).

This deserving person is always sung, except for the great (twelfth) feasts of Christ and the Theotokos, for then, instead of this deserving person, the irmos of the 9th song of the festive canon is sung (from the day of the Feast until its giving).

Therefore: The Most Holy and Our Father; And the Sussovo prayer.

Decree on the tropares and kontakochs, which are spoken after the canons are completed.

If there is only one canon for the Savior, say: Troparion, Glory, and now: kontakion.

Is it the Cross and the Mother of God, one at a time; say, as I am the only Savior.

Or to the Savior and the Theotokos, troparion to the Savior and the Theotokos. Glory: Kontakion to the Savior. And now: kontakion to the Mother of God. It’s the same with the Cross and the Mother of God.

If it were the Savior and the Saint, say: Troparion to the Savior and the Saint. Glory: kontakion to the saint. And now: Kontakion to the Savior. The same is true for the Cross (or the Mother of God), one with the saint (or with the Angels).

If the Savior (or the Cross), the Mother of God, the Angel and the Saint, say: Troparion to the Savior, Mother of God, Angel and Saint. Same, kontakion to the Savior, Angel, Glory: to the saint, And now: to the Mother of God.

If the saint (or angel) one by one, say: troparion; Glory: kontakion; And now: theotokos, according to the voice of the troparion from the resurrection. (In the charter: whether in the temple of the Lord or the Mother of God, then cover the saint according to the kontakion, And now: kontakion for the temple).

Therefore: Lord, have mercy (40, with bows). Glory, even now.