than the Seraphim; who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the
very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
In the name of the Lord, Father bless.
O undefiled, untainted, uncorrupted, most pure, chaste Virgin, Thou Bride of
God and Sovereign Lady, who didst unite the Word of God to mankind
though thy most glorious birth giving, and hast linked the apostate nature of
our race with the heavenly; who art the only hope of the hopeless, and the
helper of the struggling, the ever-ready protection of them that hasten unto
thee, and the refuge of all Christians: Do not shrink with loathing from me a
sinner, defiled, who with polluted thoughts, words, and deeds have made
myself utterly unprofitable, and through slothfulness of mind have become a
slave to the pleasures of life. But as the Mother of God Who loveth mankind,
show thy love for mankind and mercifully have compassion upon me a
sinner and prodigal, and accept my supplication, which is offered to thee out
of my defiled mouth; and making use of thy motherly boldness, entreat thy
Son and our Master and Lord that He may be pleased to open for me the
bowels of His lovingkindness and graciousness to mankind, and,
disregarding my numberless offenses, will turn me back to repentance, and
show me to be tried worker of His precepts. And be thou ever present unto
me as merciful, compassionate and well disposed; in the present life be
thou a fervent intercessor and helper, repelling the assaults of adversaries
and guiding me to salvation, and at the time of my departure taking care of
my miserable soul, and driving far away from it the dark countenances of
the evil demons; lastly, at the dreadful day of judgment delivering me from
torment eternal and showing me to be an heir of the ineffable glory of thy
Son and our God; all of which may I attain, O my Sovereign Lady, most holy
Theotokos, in virtue of thine intercession and protection, through the grace
and love to mankind of thine only begotten Son, our Lord and God and
Savior, Jesus Christ, to Whom is due all glory, honor and worship, together