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NI KA
A post in the Canon Project.
Canon of supplication to the most holy Theotokos, in Tone III
ODE I
He who of old gathered the waters * into one by His divine decree, * divided the sea for the people of Israel. * For He is our God and supremely glorious, * to Him alone let us sing, for He has been glorified.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Knowing you, the Mother of God, to be a wellspring of loving-kindness and mercy, approaching your goodness, I pray: Grant me compunction, that I may grieve and weep over my transgressions, О all-pure Lady.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Grant me drops of spiritual tears to wash away all the defilement of my acts and wicked thoughts, to cleanse my soul of impurity and make me a temple of the divine Spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Beset by the waves and threefold billows of my transgressions, and ever cruelly drowned by the works of the adversary, sinking now into the abyss of destruction, I cry to you, О most immaculate one: Save me!
Both now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
For the sake of your tender compassion, О Lady of all, have mercy on my wretched soul, and deliver me from everlasting fire and the assault of the demons, for I flee now beneath you protection, О Theotokos.
ODE III (the second Ode is not sung)
O Most High, Ruler of all, * who out of nothing hath established all things, * fashioned by your Word, * perfected by the Spirit, * confirm me in your love.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
With divine light illumine my mind, which has been darkened by evil thoughts, О all-hymned one; for you gave birth to the everlasting Light Who shone forth from the Father.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Tripping the feet of my soul, the enemy of the righteous caused me to fall to the ground; yet with your right hand, О pure Lady, raise me up again.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With the voice of the publican I cry to you, wretch that I am: Cleanse me, О Lady, and by your supplication grant remission of sins unto your servant.
Both now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
Heal the wounds of my soul, О Lady, and still the most turbulent waves of my thoughts; and grant me the armor of peace.
ODE IV
You have shown us steadfast love, O Lord, * for you gave your only-begotten Son over to death for our sake. * Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry unto you, * ‘Glory to your power, O Lord!’
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
I have defiled my flesh with pleasures and luxuries, and have besmirched the purity of my soul with vile thoughts, darkening my mind. О Lady, disdain not your servant.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Be my deliverance, refuge and might, the horn of my salvation, О pure helper, ever delivering me from all sorrow and putting all mine enemies to shame.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
I am now beset by many perils, wretch that I am, and am ever engulfed by the wiles of the demons; yet I flee to you now; by your fervent supplication save me, your servant.
Both now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
The night of the passions, devoid of light, embraces me, wretch that I am; yet by your light, О good one, dispel the clouds of my soul and guide me to the light of the precepts of God, О all-immaculate one.
ODE V
In a vision Isaiah saw upon a throne, * God lifted up on high * borne aloft by angels of glory; * and he cried: ‘Woe is me! * For I have foreseen God made flesh, * the Lord of the never-setting light * and the King of peace.’
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The time of my life has vanished like smoke, and I have arrived at the gateway of death. I fear the assault of the demons, for I have ever done their works. О all-immaculate one, have pity and save me!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Drying up the abyss of my evils, О Virgin, grant me rivers of tears. Quench all the flame of my passions, О Maiden, and grant that I may be delivered from fire and other torments on the day of judgment.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With the oil of your mercy heal my soul which is tormented with the pain of my sins, and grant that I may ever observe the precepts of your Son in humility, that I may receive His goodness.
Both now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
“Your divine Church, stripped of its bridal raiment, О my Son, is now arrayed in the holy blood which flowed from your side. And I, beholding all your pain on the Cross, do likewise suffer!” said the Mother of the Word, lamenting.
ODE VI
The uttermost depths of sin have surrounded me, * and my spirit perishes. * But, O Master, stretch forth your lofty arm * and like Peter, O Helmsman, * save me.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!T
he Son of God, assuming flesh from your pure blood, hath shown you, О Bride of God, to be a great refuge; wherefore, be merciful to your servants.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
О good one, with your radiance illumine the eyes of my heart which have been darkened by unseemly thoughts; make me a child of the Light, and cause me to dwell in a place of light.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Waves of passionate thoughts ever batter me, О most pure one, and the tempests of the evil spirits engulf me; yet set me firmly upon the rock of dispassion.
Both now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
I have fallen asleep in the death of my soul, and lie in the grave of despondency; but grant me your hand, I pray, and raise me up, guiding me to the life of repentance.
Lord, have mercy, (3x).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Both now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional Hymn, in Tone III:
We who have acquired the Cross of your Son as a staff of power, О Theotokos, thereby cast down the arrogance of the enemy, magnifying you unceasingly with love.
ODE VII
Of old the three children did not worship the golden image, * of the Persian idol, * but chanted in the midst of the furnace: * O God of our fathers, blessed are you!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
О pure one, with strength gird my soul, which hath grown weak through sins, and save me who cry out to your Son: О God of our fathers, blessed art you!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Fearing the hour of death because of eternal and everlasting torment, I fall down before you: О Lady, Birthgiver of God, save me from the snares of those who pursue me!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О Theotokos who contained the infinite God within your womb, free my mind, which is confined by many transgressions, from their condemnation.
Both now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
The race of mankind entreats you, О Theotokos: О Lady, have mercy on your servants who with faith cry out to your Son: О God of our fathers, blessed art you!
ODE VIII
United together in the unbearable fire, * yet not harmed by the flame, * the children, champions of godliness, sang a divine hymn: * O all you works of the Lord, * bless the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Having truly emulated the prodigal and ended my whole life in sins, I now cry out: I have sinned against you! О Lady, make me as one of the hirelings of your Son and Creator, that I may glorify you throughout all ages!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
My soul is filled with evils, and I am reckoned with all who go down into the pit; yet, О Virgin Theotokos, lead me up from the pit of the passions and from the miry clay of my evils.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Pray to Christ, О Theotokos who gave birth to Him from your holy womb, that He grant me forgiveness of my manifold transgressions, that I may chant: О all you works of the Lord, hymn the Lord, and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
Both now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
When my soul must needs depart from this life at the command of God, from the snares of those who pursue us, О most pure one, rescue those who cry out to you: О all you works of the Lord, hymn the Lord, and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
ODE IX
In the shadow and the letter of the Law, * let us, the faithful, discern a figure: * every male child that opens the womb * shall be sanctified to God. * Therefore we magnify the firstborn Word * and Son of the beginningless Father, * the firstborn Child of a Mother who knew not a man.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The race of mankind, now enriched by your invincible supplication, О most immaculate one, cries out day and night: never cease to entreat our Creator and your Son, that He take pity on those who hymn you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The darts of unseemly passions have wounded my soul with demonic assaults, and ever trouble my mind with the arrows of adverse thought; wherefore, heal mine incurable wounds, О Maiden.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О pure Bride of God, quickly remove from me the wounds inflicted upon me by the enemies who war against me, for, wretch that I am, I can no longer bear their assaults, their great wickedness and insolence; come quickly to deliver me.
Both now and forever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
You know the weakness of my lowly body, the wounds of my soul, the groaning of my heart, and the error and deception of my mind; wherefore by your tender compassion grant me healing of them all.

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