*Stay at home* obeying the “Shelter in Place,” and pray with us via our parish live-stream on our FaceBook page and our YouTube page.
Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children, for the Protection of our Children
Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Glory to You, our God. Glory to You. Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, You who are everywhere present and filling all things, treasury of blessings and giver of life: come and abide in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.
People: Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for the glory of Your name.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Kontakion 1
Victorious Leader and Good Nurturer of the Christian race, we your servants, delivered from evil, sing out grateful thanks to you. But as you have invincible might deliver our children from all dangers, that with tears we may cry to you: Raise our children (names), to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Ikos 1
Intercede with your Son and God, O most Holy Mother of God, that an angel from heaven be sent to our children, just as the mightiest protector, the Archangel Gabriel, was sent to you; and allow us to cry to you thus:
Raise our children to be earthly angels.
Raise our children to be heavenly people.
Raise our children to be your servants.
Raise our children to cry out to you:
“Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord with you!”
Raise our children, O Lady, to be made
worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 2
As you see our maternal entreaty for our children, begging help from you alone; take them under your honorable and compassionate protection, that we may cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Send our children understanding, that they may know how to serve God well; fill their hearts with heavenly wisdom…and grant that they may love it alone and scorn the things of the world. Do not hinder our lips from crying such things as these:
Raise our children to be wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.
Raise our children to have knowledge of good but not of sin.
Raise our children to be wise against the snares of the devil.
Raise our children to order their lives wisely, following the examples of the saints.
Raise our children, nourishing them with the milk of the hidden wisdom of God, that they may seek it all of their lives.
Raise our children, O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 3
May the power of the Most High overshadow our children through your unceasing intercession before Your Son, and on account of this, having come to know your maternal compassion towards all who run to God with faith, may they cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3Having received our children from God, we do not desire to behold them dwelling in eternal torment, but rather to see them written in the Book of Life and made inheritors of eternal life. For your sake, O Most Pure Virgin, incline your ear to our supplication, as we cry to you:
Raise our children to flee eternal torment.
Raise our children to inherit life eternal.
Raise our children to pass the course of their life in Repentance.
Raise our children to labor to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Raise our children to exert effort to attain the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise our children to be written in the Book of Life.
Raise our children, O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 4
Having within a tempest of doubting thoughts and wanting to give our children to drink of eternal life, we weep. Thus, having remembered your most rich mercies, we sing to your Son with hope and with a contrite heart: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Having heard your voice, crying to your Son, “Preserve in your inheritance those whom you have given us unto the ages,” We stretch out our hands and our hearts towards your loving-kindness, entreating that you will keep our children among your servants, and fulfill these our petitions:
Raise our children in your most holy inheritance.
Raise our children with all your Saints.
Raise our children to be your servants, fulfilling all your commands.
Raise our children to seek help from you alone.
Raise our children to inherit eternal life.
Raise our children, O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 5
May the Morning Star, which is your Son, O Most Holy Virgin, shine with unfading light in the hearts of our children, that they may cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen our diligent supplication rising like incense to your glory, don’t turn your face away from our children, even if they turn away from you, but all the more, hear the cry of our lips, singing to you:
Raise our children to be poor in spirit, that they may inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise our children to weep, that they may be comforted.
Raise our children to be meek, that they may inherit the earth.
Raise our children to hunger and thirst after righteousness, that they may be filled.
Raise our children to be merciful, that they may obtain mercy.
Raise our children to be pure in heart, that they may see God.
Raise our children to be peacemakers, that they may be called the children of God.
Raise our children, O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 6
All we the faithful ever proclaim you to be the defense of orphans, widows and mothers, and of all your children who pray and cry out to you: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
With rays of grace teach our children, so that enlightened by you on high they may see the path leading to life-eternal and follow on it, nourished beneath your all-powerful protection in the Church of your Son where there is unending light. For the sake of this, hear us who cry to You thus:
Raise our children to be the light of the world, that their light may shine before men, and that seeing their good deeds, men will glorify their Father in Heaven.
Raise our children to be enlightened by Your Son, that in His light they may see light and direct their steps towards Him.
Raise our children always to turn the eyes of their heart to the Redeemer of all.
Raise our children to be guided to the dwelling of the Righteous by the Morning Star which is your Son.
Raise our children to be meek and silent and to be in awe before the Word of God.
Raise our children to love you and your Son not only with their minds but also with their hearts.
Raise our children, O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 7
Desiring eternal salvation for our children, with tears we stand before your most honorable icon, O Lady, do not reject our prayers, but cry to your Son: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
By the wonderous and incomprehensible action of your Son, lead our children with your merciful hand beneath your gracious protection, that with sincerity we may cry to you:
Raise our children to seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Raise our children to walk the narrow way leading to life eternal.
Raise our children to do the will of your Son and God in every place.
Raise our children to long to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise our children to be numbered among Your chosen ones.
Raise our children, O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 8
Where will our children, wandering in the greatly perilous and stormy valley of the world, receive joy and consolation, if not in you, O Most Pure One. Travel with them and teach them the true path, that they may cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
To all you are a merciful Mother, O Lady, and we desire that we may become your children. Thus, we place our children in your hands and we humbly beg of you:
Raise our children to keep vigil and pray that they may not fall into temptation.
Raise our children to be merciful so that their Father in Heaven will be merciful to them.
Raise our children in purity of childhood, for to children belongs the Kingdom of God.
Raise our children to be the least of all, that they may be great before God.
Raise our children to fulfill the Word of God, and to be partakers of the heavenly blessedness for which they came into being.
Raise our children to have good hope in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise our children, O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 9
Fill the souls and hearts of our children with all good, driving away from them the spirit of evil atheism, giving to each of them as is needed from Your compassion toward all, that we may cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Deliver our children from association with falsely-theorizing orators, who speak lies about your all-powerful intercession, and look upon us, faithfully singing:
Raise our children to love you with all their hearts and minds.
Raise our children to open their lips only in the praise and glory of your blessings.
Raise our children to await the coming of your Son with tears.
Raise our children in watchful and continual prayer.
Raise our children to stand always before you with reverence.
Raise our children to bear good fruit.
Raise our children, O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the world, your Son came from heaven to call, not the righteous, but sinners to repentance. For the sake, of this, pray to your Son that having been saved through you, our children may call to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Surround our children with indestructible walls, O Heavenly Queen, that under your blessed protection, they may accomplish a multitude of good deeds, and that with them we may cry to you thus:
Raise our children to be leaders in doing the will of your Son and God.
Raise our children to hate sin and all transgression.
Raise our children to love good and all virtue.
Raise our children in blameless purity.
Raise our children to ascend the ladder of their lives every day.
Raise our children to turn their eyes to your compassion in the midst of sorrows.
Raise our children to serve you in obedience and chastity.
Raise our children, O Lady,
to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 11
Make our children worthy always to hymn your unshakable intercession, and through your grace direct their lips to sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
O Shining lamp from on high, make the lives of our children to burn and their hearts to melt day and night with love for you, and your Son, and for their neighbors, and do not ignore us who cry out to you:
Raise our children to love you with all their hearts and minds.
Raise our children to open their lips only in the praise and glory of your blessings.
Raise our children in watchful and continual prayer.
Raise our children to stand always before you with reverence.
Raise our children to bear good fruit.
Raise our children, O Lady,
to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 12
Fill the hearts of our children with the inexpressible grace of the Holy Spirit, so that they may love only your Son and God, and you, O Most Good One, that being inspired by you, we may cry to the King of all: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing of your loving-kindness, we pray you, who feeds and has mercy on our children; do not cease to intercede for them with your Son, for we believe that all is possible for you, and ask you to fulfill these our entreaties:
Raise our children to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Raise our children to be found on the right hand at the Judgement Seat of your Son.
Raise our children to live in a holy manner.
Raise our children to dwell securely on the path of faith by the grace of the Spirit of God.
Raise our children to hunger and thirst insatiably for the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.
Raise our children to be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect. Ê
Raise our children, O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
Kontakion 13
O All Hymned Mother of our Sweetest Jesus! Accept this small hymn of supplication for our children as a sweet fragrance and take them under your compassionate protection. Grant them to think, know, hear, say and do, only that which brings them close to you and your Son, and helps them attain eternal salvation. And send them in this present life all that is profitable for the salvation of their souls, that they may cry to God: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia!
A Prayerful Sighing of Parents To Christ For Our Children
LORD Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother, listen to us, Your unworthy servants, O Lord, govern Your servants, our children in mercy. Have mercy on them and save them, for Your name’s sake.
O Lord, forgive them all their transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, that they may be perfected in You. O Lord, set them on the true path of Your commandments and enlighten their minds with Your Light unto the salvation of their souls and the healing of their bodies.
Bless them, O Lord, at home, at school, in their journeys and in every place of Your dominion. Preserve and shelter them, O Lord, from flying bullets, arrows, the sword, poison and fire, from mortal wounds and sudden death. Guard them, O Lord, from all visible and invisible enemies, and from all danger, evil and misfortune.
Heal them O Lord, from all sickness, deliver them from every impurity, and lighten their spiritual sufferings. Grant them, O Lord, the grace of Your Holy Spirit and a long life; grant them health and chastity in all piety and love, and to live in accord with all their neighbors, near and far.
Multiply and strengthen them, O Lord, in mental ability and bodily strength, given to them by You. Bless them to lead a pious life and, if it is pleasing to You, grant them married life and honorable childbearing.
For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give us, Your sinful and unworthy servants, a parental blessing for our children and Your servants, both in this present time, morning, noon and night, and also in Your eternal, almighty and all-powerful Kingdom. Amen.
O God, Maker of all creation, You have made us worthy to be the parents in a family, and through Your goodness You have bestowed children upon us; and so we dare to say: these children are Yours, for You have given them being, have infused them with an immortal soul, and have raised them to life through baptism.
And in accordance with Your will You have adopted them and received them into the bosom of Your Church. Send down to us Your gracious help in raising our children, for the glory of Your name. Bestow on us patience and strength to do Your will.
Teach us to plant in their hearts the root of true wisdom—the awe of the Lord—that all their lives they may reverence Your words. Open to them the understanding of Your law. Until the end of their days let them act with the sense that You are everywhere present.
O Heavenly Father, order the fate of our children according to Your blessings, do not deprive them in this life of their daily bread, send down to them in due time all that is necessary for the acquisition of blessings in eternity.
Be merciful to them, when they sin before You; look not upon the sins of their youth and ignorance; chastise them and have mercy on them, but do not turn Your face away from them. Do not turn Your face from them in the day of their tribulation, that they may not fall into temptations beyond their strength.
Cover them with Your mercy, that Your Angel may walk with them and preserve them. Do not abandon our children, O Lord, and give them that which is profitable for salvation.
Amen.
Prayer to the Mother of God
O Most Holy Lady Virgin Theotokos, save and preserve under your protection our children, all youths and infants, baptized and unnamed, and those in their mother’s wombs. Cover them with your maternal garment, preserve them in the fear of God and in obedience to their parents. Entreat our Lord and your Son that He may give them that which is profitable for their salvation. We entrust them to your maternal care, for you are a Divine protection for your servants.
Prayer to Our Children’s Guardian Angels
O Holy Angels, Guardians of our children, keep our children under your protection from demonic arrows, and from the eyes of the seducer, and preserve their hearts in angelic purity. Amen, Amen, Amen.
Prayer for Children Who Have Difficulty Learning
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who dwelled in the hearts of the Twelve Apostles, and Who, by the power of grace of Your All Holy Spirit, You descended in the form of fiery tongues and opened their lips so that they began to speak in other tongues. This same Lord Jesus Christ our God: Send down Your Holy Spirit on Your children, and plant in their hearts the Holy Scriptures which You, by Your most pure hand, inscribed on tablets and gave to the Lawgiver Moses, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for Unborn Infants
Remember, O Lord, Lover of Mankind the souls of Your departed servants, infants who died accidentally in the wombs of Orthodox mothers from unknown cause, either from difficult birth, or from some carelessness and who therefore did not receive the Mystery of Holy Baptism. Baptize them, O Lord, in the sea of Your compassions, and save them by Your inexpressible grace. Amen.
Priest: Let us also say for ourselves:
People: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Priest: May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his most pure and holy Mother, the power of the precious and lifegiving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy Apostles, the holy, glorious, and triumphant Martyrs, our holy and God-bearing Fathers, of Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia; the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as a good, loving and merciful God.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People: Amen!