For most of us the Paraclisis is a very familiar prayer, however we have many new people to the forum from the West who have not use to it. So during this time of Lent, I would really reccomend it to you. It may seem a long prayer, but the more you pray it the shorter it becomes.
PARACLISIS
The Paraclisis: The Office of Consolation to the Most Holy Theotokos
The Paraclisis (or Paraklesis) is a special office, or service, dedicated to the Theotokos--the Mother of God. It is penitential in nature and--although it may and should be prayed at anytime--it is commonly recited, or chanted, during times of great trial. Invoking the compassion of the Theotokos, as
the Mother of Sorrows, it is designed to bring consolation to those who suffer for whatever reason. It is commonly celebrated during the Dormition Fast in the Byzantine Church (from August 1-14).Note: This version reflects Slavic usage. English translations of Greek usage can be found at Service of Great Paraklesis and Small Paraklesis.
Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
--Come, let us adore the King, our God.
--Come, let us adore Christ, the King, our God.
--Come, let us adore and bow down to the only Lord Jesus Christ, the King and our God.
Psalm 143
O Lord, listen to my prayer;
in your truth, give heed to my request
and in your justice hear me,
And enter not into judgment with your servant
since of all the living none is just before You.
The enemy has pursued my soul,
he has crushed my life into the ground;
He has forced me to dwell in darkness
like those long dead.
My spirit was overwhelmed with grief
and within me my heart was troubled.
Remembering the days of old,
I meditated on all your deeds,
I thought of the works of your hands.
I stretched out my hands to You;
like a parched land my soul longed for You.
Listen to me without delay, O Lord:
my spirit has failed me.
Turn not your face away from me
nor let me sink in the pit like the others.
Grant that I may hear your love at dawn,
for I have placed my hope in You.
O Lord, let me know which way I should go,
for I have lifted up my soul to You.
Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies:
it is to You that I have fled.
Teach me to do your will, for You are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me over level ground.
For the sake of your Name, O Lord,
You will keep me alive;
In your saving bounty,
You will deliver my soul from oppression,
And in your loving kindness,
You will destroy my enemies,
And bring to naught all those who grieve my soul,
for I am your servant.
--Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
---Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to You, O God!
--God is the Lord, and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
R. God is the Lord, and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. (Twice).
Troparion (Tone 6)
Let us sinners humbly and diligently have recourse to the Theotokos. Prostrate in repentance, let us cry out from the depths of our soul: O Queen, in your compassion, come to our aid! Hasten, for we are perishing from the multitude of our sins. Do not turn away your servants empty-handed, for we have no protection besides you.
--Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
--Unworthy as we are, we shall never cease to proclaim your power, O Theotokos. If you no longer intercede for us, who will deliver us from so many misfortunes? Who will keep us free? We shall never leave you, O Queen: O blessed Lady, you always save your servants from every calamity.
Psalm 50
O God, have mercy on me
in the greatness of your love;
In the abundance of your tender mercies,
wipe out my offense.
Wash me thoroughly from malice
and cleanse me from my sin,
For I am well aware of my malice
and my sins are before me always.
It is You alone I have offended:
I have done what is evil in your sight,
Wherefore You are just in your deeds
and triumphant in your judgment.
Behold, I was born in iniquities
and in sins my mother conceived me.
But You are the Lover of Truth:
You have shown me the depths
and secrets of your wisdom.
Sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be pure,
cleanse me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear sounds of joy and feasting:
the bones that were afflicted shall rejoice.
Turn your face away from my offenses
and wipe off all my sins.
A spotless heart create in me, O God;
renew a steadfast spirit in my breast.
Cast me not afar from your face,
take not your blessed Spirit out of me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and let your guiding Spirit dwell in me.
I will teach your ways to the sinners
and the wicked shall return to You.
Deliver me from blood-guilt,
O God, my saving God,
and my tongue will joyfully sing your justice.
O Lord, You shall open my lips
and my mouth will declare your praise.
Had You desired sacrifice,
I would have offered it.
But You will not be satisfied
with whole-burnt offerings:
Sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit;
a crushed and humbled heart God will not spurn.
In your kindness, O Lord, be bountiful to Sion;
may the walls of Jerusalem be restored.
Then will You delight in just oblation,
in sacrifice and whole-burnt offerings.
Then shall they offer calves upon your altar.
Canon of Supplication
First and Second Chant
When Israel passed through the waters as upon dry land and escaped the malice of the Egyptians, they cried out: Let us sing to our Redeemer and our God.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--Many temptations have surrounded me, O Virgin. To you I come for shelter and salvation. O Theotokos, deliver me from all trouble and affliction!
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--The assaults of my passions disturb me: they fill my soul with great discouragement. O Maiden, without stain and ever-pure, restore the balance of my soul through the peace of your Son, through the peace of your God!
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O Virgin, I beseech you who have given birth to God the Savior, deliver me from my afflictions. It is to you I now come for shelter, to you I lift my heart and thoughts.
--Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
--You alone are the Theotokos: you are good and the Mother of Goodness. Take away the disease of my body and soul: make me worthy of your good care and of the coming of God.
Third Chant
O Lord and supreme Creator of the heavenly firmament, Founder of the Church: confirm me in your love, O Summit of desire, for You are the Stronghold of the faithful and the only One who truly loves mankind.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O virgin Theotokos, I chose you to be my protection and the shelter of my life. Direct me towards your haven, for you are the channel of all good things and the support of the faithful, and you alone are worthy of every praise.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--I beseech you, O Virgin, dispel the troubles of my soul, quiet the surge of my despair; for you, O bride of God, have carried the Prince of Peace, and you alone are perfectly pure.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--You gave birth to the Doer of Good, to the Cause of all Delight: let the wealth of his generation abound within all souls, for since you have borne the Almighty Christ, you have power to act as you please, O you who are blessed of God.
--Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
--O Virgin, help me who am pressed by incurable ills and distressing passions, for I know that you, all-blameless one, are a perfect and abundant treasury of healing.
Litany
Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy; we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy! (Three times)
--We also pray for our holy father N., Pope of Rome, for our most reverend archbishop and metropolitan N., for our God-loving bishop N., for those who serve and have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.
R. Lord, have mercy! (Three times)
--We also pray for our civil authorities and for all those in the service of our country.
R. Lord, have mercy! (Three times)
--Let us pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, God's visitation, for the forgiveness of sins, and for the well-being of the servant of God N.
R. Lord, have mercy! (Three times)
--We also pray for the people here present who await your great and abundant mercy, for those who have shown us mercy, and for all orthodox Christians.
R. Lord, have mercy! (Three times)
--For You are a merciful and gracious God, and we glorify You, Father +, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
R. Amen.
Fourth Chant
O Lord, I have heard of the mystery of your plan of redemption, and I have understood your works: that is why I give glory to your divinity.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--Quiet the seething of my passions and calm the storm of my sins, for you are the bride of God who gave birth to the good Lord.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O Virgin who gave birth to the compassionate Lord, the Savior of those who praise you: grant that I who cling to you may enjoy the depth of your compassion.
R. We who rejoice on account of your gift are aware that you are the Theotokos, and so we sing a hymn of gratitude to you who are perfectly pure.
--Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
--You whom we possess as our hope, our supporting strength, our
indestructible wall of salvation, are worthy of all praise. Grant that we may be worthy to be delivered from all affliction.
Fifth Chant
Enlighten our hearts with your commands, O Lord; with your outstretched hand, grant us your peace, O Lover of Mankind!
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O immaculate Lady, give me your pure happiness. You gave birth to the Cause of Joy: fill my heart with joy!
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--Deliver us from dangers, O immaculate Theotokos, for you gave birth to Eternal Salvation and to Peace beyond our understanding.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--With the brightness of your light, dispel the darkness of my sins, O bride of God who gave birth to the divine and eternal Light!
-Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
--Heal the misery of my passions, make me worthy of your assistance, and through your intercession, grant me health.
Sixth Chant
Before the Lord, I pour out my supplication; to Him I complain about my sorrow, for my soul is filled with iniquity and my life close to the Abyss. Therefore, like Jonah, I cry out: "Raise me from corruption, O my God!"
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O Virgin, beseech your Lord and your Son who delivered himself to death and saved my nature from death and corruption to which it had been bound, that He may deliver me from the hands of the enemy.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--I believe, O Virgin, that through your intercession you save and protect my life, dispelling many temptations and casting out the cunning snares of the devil. Now I implore you without ceasing: Deliver me from my corrupting
passions.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O Maiden, you have been given to us as a wall behind which we may seek refuge, as a perfect means of salvation for our souls, as a joy in our tribulations, for we always find delight in your light. O Lady, save us always from every danger and evil desire.
--Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
--Behold how sick I am: I lie upon my bed, and there is no healing for me. I come to you in your goodness, for you have given birth to the Savior of the World. Deliver me from my disease and raise me from the pain of my affliction.
Kontakion (Tone 6)
O gentle protectress of Christians, unfailing advocate before the Creator, do not despise the prayerful voice of sinners, but in your goodness, hasten to assist us who trustfully cry out to you: "Inspire us to prayer and hasten to hear our supplications. Intercede always, O Mother of God, in behalf of those who honor you."
--Let us be attentive. Peace + be with all. Wisdom! Be attentive!
R. Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, sing praise to his Name! Give to Him glorious praise!
--Let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy!
--For You are holy, our God, and You dwell in the holy place, and we glorify You, Father +, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
R. Amen.
--Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
R. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
--That we may be deemed worthy of hearing the holy Gospel, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy! (Three times)
--Peace + be with all.
R. And with your spirit.
--Wisdom! Let us stand and listen to a reading from the holy Gospel according to St Luke.
R. Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You!
Luke 1:37-56:
The Angel said: "For nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said:
"Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel left her. In those days Mary set out and went with solicitude into the hill country to a city of Judah, and when she entered the house of Zechariah she greeted Elizabeth. And it happened when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting the baby leapt in her womb, Elizabeth was filled with
the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But how is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leapt with a great joy. Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by
the Lord."
And Mary said:
"My soul gives praise to the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He had regard for the lowliness of His handmaid,
behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed,
For the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation to generation
toward those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
scattered the arrogant in the conceit of their heart,
He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted the lowly,
The hungry He has filled with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has come to the aid of His servant, Israel,
mindful of His mercy,
Just as He promised our fathers,
Abraham and his descendants forever."
Mary remained with her for three months and then returned to her home.
R. Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You!
-Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
--Through the intercession of the Theotokos, O merciful Lord, cleanse us of our many sins.
--O God, have mercy on us in the greatness of your love; in the abundance of your tender mercies, wipe out our offense.
Hymn to the Theotokos
O most holy Lady, do not abandon me to any human help.
Let the prayer of your servant rise to you.
Distress is all around me.
No longer can I bear the darts of Satan.
I have no shelter, no place to hide.
I have no consolation, except in you alone.
O Queen of all, you are the hope and the protection of all the faithful:
Do not reject my prayer, but grant what I ask.
Prayer
O God, save your people and bless your inheritance. Look upon this world of yours with mercy and compassion. Raise all orthodox Christians to glory, and shower upon us your abundant mercies:
--through the prayers of our most pure lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary;
--through the power of the precious and life-giving cross;
--through the intercession of the honorable and bodiless powers of heaven;
--of the honorable and glorious prophet John the Forerunner;
--of the holy, glorious, and illustrious Apostles;
--through the intercession of our fathers among the saints, the great ecumenical teachers and hierarchs, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom;
--of our father among the saints, Nicholas, archbishop and wonderworker of Myra in Lycia;
--through the intercession of Sts Cyril and Methodius, the equals of the Apostles and teachers of the Slav people;
--of the God-fearing prince, equal to the Apostles, Vladimir, and of the holy priest-martyr Josaphat;
--through the intercession of the glorious and victorious martyrs, of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves, and for all our venerable and God-bearing fathers;
--through the intercession of the holy and just ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna;
--of St N., patron of this church, of St N., whose memory we celebrate today, and of all the saints;
--we beseech You, O most merciful Lord: listen to the prayers that we sinners offer You, and have mercy on us.
R. Lord, have mercy! (Twelve times)
--Through the grace and mercies and love for mankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed +, together with your all-holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever.
R. Amen.
Seventh Chant
The youths of Judea who came to Babel had the power to overcome the flames of the furnace, for they believed in the Holy Trinity and cried out: "Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!"
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--In your desire to save our souls, You dwelt in the womb of the Virgin and established her as the intercessor of creation. Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O most pure Mother, may your prayer go up to the Source of Mercy to whom you have given birth, so that we may be preserved from weakness and impurity, who cry out with faith: "Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!"
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--You have taken the one who gave You birth, and have established her as a treasury of salvation, a source of immortality, an indestructible fortress, a door open for repentance to those who cry out: "Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!"
--Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
--O Theotokos who gave us Christ, grant to those who anxiously seek your divine shelter that they deserve to be healed of the illness of body and soul.
Eighth Chant
Let us praise the King of Heaven whom the hosts of angels praise; let us exalt his Name forevermore.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O Virgin, do not turn away from those who seek your help, who praise and exalt your maidenhood forever.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O Virgin, abundant healing flows from you upon all those who sing your wondrous birth with faith and praise.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O Virgin, you shall heal the sorrows of my soul, you shall cure the illness of my body, and I shall sing your praise, O woman full of grace!
--Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
--O Virgin, you drive away the dangers of temptation, you restrain the fire of passion, and so we sing your praise forevermore.
Ninth Chant
O Virgin without stain through whom we have been saved: we proclaim that you are truly Theotokos, and with the hosts of angels we extol your name.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O Virgin, despise not the flowing of my tears, for you have given birth to the Lord who wipes away all tears.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O Virgin, be a haven and a help, an indestructible fortress and a harbor, a shelter and a joy to those who come to you.
R. O most holy Theotokos, save us!
--O Virgin, cast away the darkness of unknowing; enlighten with your rays of light those who proclaim that you are truly the Theotokos.
--Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
--O Virgin, come to me in this time of pain: raise me from my sickness and restore my health.
Theotokion
It is truly proper to glorify you who have borne God, the ever-blessed and immaculate and the mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who, a virgin, gave birth to God the Word, you, true Theotokos, we magnify.
Hymns (Tone 2)
O Gracious Lady, you pray for all those who with faith take refuge in your powerful protection. We sinners ever in misery and affliction have no other recourse to God than you. We are burdened by many sins, O Theotokos! We bow down before you: save your servants from every calamity.
V. I shall remember your name from one generation to the next.
--O Joy of all the afflicted, Patroness of the persecuted;
Sustainer of the hungry, Consolation of those in exile;
Haven to the storm-tossed, Comfort to the sick; Protectress and Patroness of the weak, Staff of the aged: O Theotokos, you are most pure. Hasten to us, we pray, that your servants may be saved.
V. O Daughter, hear and see and incline your ear to us!
--Hail, O Virgin most pure!
Hail, honorable Scepter of Christ the King!
Hail, you who sprouted the Mystical Vine!
Hail, Gate of Heaven and Bush unconsumed!
Hail, Light of the World!
Hail, Salvation of the faithful!
Hail, O Queen, Protectress and Refuge of all Christians!
(Tone 8)
--Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
--Hail, Glory of the universe.
Hail, Temple of the Lord!
Hail, overshadowing Mountain!
Hail, Refuge of all!
Hail, golden Candelabrum!
Hail, precious Glory of true Christians!
Hail, Mother of Christ our God!
Hail, O Paradise!
Hail, holy Altar!
Hail, holy Sanctuary!
Hail, golden Hand!
Hail, Hope of all!
The Lord's Prayer
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.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father +, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Troparion (Tone 6)
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! Since we have no defense, we sinners offer this supplication to You our Master: have mercy on us!
Kontakion (Tone 6)
O Lord, have mercy on us, for in You we place our hope. Be not exceedingly angry with us nor mindful of our transgressions, but look upon us even now with mercy and deliver us from our enemies, for You are our God and we are your people: we are all the work of your hands, and we call upon your Name.
Theotokion (Tone 6)
Open to us the doors of mercy, O blessed Theotokos, that we, who place ourtrust in you, may not perish, but that through you we may be delivered from misfortune, for you are the salvation of all Christians.
Litany
--Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy: we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy! (Three times)
--Let us pray to the Lord our God that He may hear the supplication of us sinners and have mercy on his servants N. and N., and protect them against every misfortune, affliction, anger, and need and against every spiritual and bodily illness; that He may grant them health and long life.
Let us all say: Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy! (Three times)
--Again, let us pray that He may preserve this city and this holy church and every city, town, and countryside from famine, plague, earthquake, flood, fire, civil war, riot, and foreign invasion; and that our God who is kind and the Lover of Mankind may forgive our sins and hold back his just wrath, and that He may have mercy on us.
R. Lord, have mercy! (Three times)
--Hear us, O God our Savior, Hope of all those who live at the far ends of the earth, and to those traveling by sea, air and land; be kind to us, O Master, forgive us our sins and have mercy on us, for You are a gracious Lord who loves mankind, and we glorify You, Father +, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
R. Amen.
--Bowing our heads (or Bending our knees) in all humility, let us pray tothe Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy!
Prayer to Our Lady
O my most blessed Queen, Defender of the human race, Refuge and Salvation of all those who hasten to you: I know that I have sinned many times and angered the most Good God who was born of you. But I have many examples of those who abused this loving kindness before I did; all were sinners who received forgiveness of their sins after confession and penance. Having before my sinful eyes the example of those pardoned, and beholding the great mercy of God in receiving them anew, I too, a repentant sinner, dare to have recourse to your compassion, O my gracious Queen. Give me your helping hand, and obtain from your Son and our God the forgiveness of my grievous sins.
I believe and profess that the One you have borne, your Son, is truly Christ, the Son of the living God, the Judge of the living and the dead who will deal with each one according to his deeds. I further believe and profess that you are truly the Theotokos, and that in your deep love for the Christian people, you are a fountain of mercy, the consolation of the afflicted, a haven for the lost, a powerful and constant advocate before Christ, and the guarantee of my repentance.
Truly, there is no help or refuge for humanity besides you, O merciful Lady: no one who hopes in you is ever disappointed, no one who implores God through you is ever forsaken.
For this reason, I beseech your inexhaustible goodness: open the gates of your mercy to me who have sinned and fallen into darkness. Sinful as I am, do not despise me nor reject my appeal; in my wretchedness, do not forsake me whom the enemy has seized for destruction. Beseech the merciful God, born of you, that He may forgive my grievous sins and deliver me from ruin, so that I too, with all those who have been forgiven before, may praise and
glorify God's boundless mercy and your unfailing intercession for me, both in this life and in the age to come. Amen.
Dismissal
Glory be to You, O Christ, our God and our hope: glory be to You!
R. Glory be to the Father +, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Give the blessing.
May Christ our true God (if it is a Sunday, who is risen from the dead) have mercy on us and save us, through the prayers of his most pure Mother and of the holy, glorious, and illustrious Apostles, through the prayers of St. N., whose memory we celebrate today, and of all the saints, for He is gracious and loves mankind.
R. Amen.
