Akathist to the Mother of God, Protectress of Children

 

Victorious Leader and Good Nurturer of the Christian race, we Thy servants, delivered from evil, sing out grateful thanks to Thee. But as Thou hast invincible might deliver my children from all dangers that with tears I may cry to Thee: Raise my children (names), to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 1

Intercede with Thy Son and God, O most Holy One, that an angel from heaven be sent to my children, just as to Thee was sent a most mighty protector, the Archangel Gabriel; and vouchsafe me to cry to Thee thus:

Kontakion 2

As thou seest my maternal entreaty for my children, begging help of Thee alone; do Thou take them under Thine honorable and compassionate protection, that we may cry to God: Alleluia. 

Send my children understanding, that they may know how to serve Thee 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 my lips from crying such things as these:

Kontakion 3

May the power of the Most High overshadow my children through Thine unceasing intercession before Thy Son, and on account of this, having come to know Thy maternal compassion towards all who run to God with faith, may they cry to God: Alleluia.

Having received my children from God, I 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 Thy sake, O Most Pure Virgin, incline Thine ear to my supplication, as I cry to Thee:

Kontakion 4

Having within a tempest of doubting thoughts, and wanting to give my children to drink of eternal life, I weep. Thus, having remembered Thy most rich mercies, I sing to Thy Son with hope and with a contrite heart: Alleluia.

Having heard Thy voice, crying to Thy Son, “Preserve in Thine inheritance those whom Thou hast given me unto the ages,” I stretch out my hands and my heart towards Thy loving-kindness, entreating that Thou wilt keep my children among Thy servants, and fulfill these my petitions:

May the Morning Star, which is Thy Son, O Most Holy Virgin, shine with unfading light in the hearts of my children, that they may cry to God: Alleluia.

Having seen my diligent supplication rising like incense to Thy glory, turn not Thy face away from my children, though they turn away from Thee, but all the more, hear the cry of my lips, singing to Thee:

Kontakion 6

All we the faithful ever proclaim Thee the defense of orphans, widows and mothers, and of all Thy children who pray and cry out to Thee: Alleluia.

With rays of grace teach my children so that enlightened by Thee on high they may see they path leading to life eternal and follow on it, nourished beneath Thine all-powerful protection in the Church of Thy Son where there is unending light. For the sake of this, hear me who dost cry to Thee thus:

Kontakion 7

Desiring for my children eternal salvation, with tears I stand before Thy most honorable icon, O Lady, that disdaining not my supplication, thou wilt cry to Thy Son: Alleluia.

By the wonderous and incomprehensible action of Thy Son, lead my children with Thy merciful hand beneath Thy gracious protection, that with sincerity I may cry to Thee:

Kontakion 8

Where will my children, wandering in the greatly perilous and stormy valley of the world, receive joy and consolation, if not in Thee, O Most Pure One. Travel with them and teach them the true path, that they may cry to God: Alleluia.

To all art Thou a merciful Mother, O Lady, and I desire that I may become Thy child. Thus I place my children in Thy hands and in humility I beg of Thee:

Kontakion 9

Fill the souls and hearts of my children with all good, driving away from them the spirit of evil atheism, giving to each of them as is needed from Thy compassion toward all, that I may cry to God: Alleluia.

Deliver my children from association with falsely-theorizing orators, who speak lies about Thine all-powerful intercession, and look upon me, faithfully singing:

Kontakion 10

Desiring to save the world, Thy Son came from heaven to call, not the righteous, but sinners to repentance. For the sake, of this, pray to Thy Son that having been saved through Thee my children may call to God: Alleluia.

Surround my children with indestructible walls, O Heavenly Queen, that under Thy blessed protection, they may accomplish a multitude of good deeds, and that with them I may cry to Thee thus:

Kontakion 11

Make my children (names) worthy always to hymn Thine unshakable intercession, and through Thy grace direct their lips to sing to God: Alleluia.

O Shining lamp from on high, make the lives of my children to burn and their hearts to melt day and night with love for Thee, and Thy Son, and for their neighbors, and disdain me not who cry to Thee:

Kontakion 12

Fill the hearts of my children with the inexpressible grace of the Holy Spirit, so that they may love only Thy Son and God, and Thee, O Most Good One, that being inspired by Thee, I may cry to the King of all: Alleluia.

Singing of Thy loving-kindness, I pray Thee, who feeds and hast mercy on my children; cease not to intercede for them with Thy Son, for I believe that all is possible for Thee, and do Thou fulfill these my entreaties:

Kontakion 13

O All Hymned Mother of our Sweetest Jesus! Accept this small hymn of supplication for my children as a sweet fragrance and take them under Thy compassionate protection. Grant them to think, know, near, say and do, only that which brings them close to Thee and Thy 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. Thrice.

LORD Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, hearken unto me, Thine unworthy servant (name), O Lord, govern in mercy my children, Thy servants (names). Have mercy on them and save them, for Thy name’s sake. O Lord, forgive them all their transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, that they may be perfected before Thee. O Lord, set them on the true path of Thy commandments and enlighten their minds with the Light of Christ unto 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 Thy 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 Thy 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 Thee. Bless them to lead a pious life and, if it is pleasing to Thee, grant them married life and honorable childbearing. For Thy name’s sake, O Lord, give me, Thy sinful and unworthy servant, a parental blessing for my children and Thy servants, both in this present time, morning, noon and night, and also in Thine eternal, almighty and all-powerful Kingdom.Amen. O God, Maker of all creation, Thou hast made me worthy to be the mother of a family, and through Thy goodness hast bestowed children upon me; and so I dare to say: these children are Thine, for Thou hast given them being, hast infused them with an immortal soul, and hast raised them to life through baptism. And in accordance with Thy will Thou has adopted them and received them into the bosom of Thy Church. Send down to me Thy gracious help in raising my children, for the glory of Thy name. Bestow on me patience and strength to do Thy will. Teach me to plant in their hearts the root of true wisdom-the fear of the Lord-that all their lives they may tremble at Thy words. Open to them the understanding of Thy law. Until the end of their days let them act with the sense that Thou art everywhere present. Plant in their hearts loathing for every transgression, that they may be pure in their signs. O Righteous Judge, who punishes children for the sins, but sprinkle them with the dew of Thy grace. O Heavenly Father, order the fate of my children according to Thy 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 Thee; look not upon the sins of their youth and ignorance; chastise them and have mercy on them, but turn not Thy face away from them. Turn not Thy face from the in the day of their tribulation, that they may not fall into temptations beyond their strength. Cover them with Thy mercy, that Thine Angel may walk with them and preserve them. Abandon not my children, O Lord, and give them that which is profitable for salvation. Amen.

O Most Holy Lady Virgin Theotokos, do Thou save and preserve under Thy protection my children (names), all youths and infants, baptized and unnamed, and those in their mother’s wombs. Cover them with Thy maternal garment, preserve them in the fear of God and in obedience to their parents. Entreat my Lord and Thy Son that He may give them that which is profitable for their salvation. I entrust them to Thy maternal care, for Thou art a Divine protection for Thy servants.

O Holy Angel, Guardian of my children (names), keep under Thy protection my children (names) from demonic arrows, and from the eyes of the seducer, and preserve their hearts in angelic purity. Amen, amen, amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who didst dwell in the hearts of the Twelve Apostles, and Who, by the power of grace of Thine All Holy Spirit, didst descend in the form of fiery tongues and didst open their lips so that they began to speak in other tongues. This same Lord Jesus Christ our God: Do Thou send down Thy Holy Spirit on Thy child (name), and plant in his (her) heart the Holy Scriptures which Thou, by Thy most pure hand, didst inscribe on tablets and give to the Lawgiver Moses, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Remember, O Lord, Lover of Mankind the souls of Thy 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 Mister of Holy Baptism. Baptize them, O Lord, in the sea of Thy compassions, and save them by Thine inexpressible grace. Amen.


Raise my children to be earthly angels.
Raise my children to be heavenly men.
Raise my children to be Thy servants.
Raise my children to cry out to Thee:
“Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord with Thee!”
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made
worthy of the Kingdom Of Heaven and make
them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 2

Raise my children to be wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.
Raise my children to have knowledge of good but not of sin.
Raise my children to be wise against the snares of the devil.
Raise my children to order their lives wisely, following the examples of the saints.
Raise my children, nourishing them with the milk of the hidden wisdom of God, that they may seek it all of their lives.
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 3

Raise my children to flee eternal torment.
Raise my children to inherit life eternal.
Raise my children to pass the course of their life in Repentance.
Raise my children to labor to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Raise my children to exert effort to attaint the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise my children to be written in the Book of Life.
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 4

Raise my children in thy most holy inheritance.
Raise my children with all Thy Saints.
Raise my children to be Thy servants, fulfilling all Thy commands.
Raise my children to seek help from Thee alone.
Raise my children to inherit eternal life.
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Kontakion 5
Ikos 5

Raise my children to be poor in spirit, that they May inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise my children to weep, that they may be comforted.
Raise my children to be meek, that they may inherit the earth.
Raise my children to hunger and thirst after righteousness, that they may be filled.
Raise my children to be merciful, that they may obtain mercy.
Raise my children to be pure in heart, that they may see God.
Raise my children to be peacemakers, that they may be called the sons of God.
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 6

Raise my 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 my 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 my children to be enlightened by Thy Son, that in His light they may see light and direct their steps towards Him.
Raise my children always to turn the eyes of their heart to the Redeemer of all.
Raise my children to be guided to the habitation of the Righteous by the Morning Star which is Thy Son.
Raise my children to be meek and silent and to tremble before the word of God.
Raise my to love Thee and Thy Son not only with their minds but also with their Hearts.
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 7

Raise my children to seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Raise my children to walk the narrow way leading to life eternal.
Raise my children to do the will of Thy Son and God in every place.
Raise my children to long to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise my children to be numbered among Thy chosen ones.
Raise my children (names), of Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 8

Raise my children to keep vigil and pray that they may not fall into temptation.
Raise my children to be merciful so that their Father in Heaven will be merciful to them.
Raise my children in purity of childhood, for to children belongs the Kingdom of God.
Raise my children to be the least of all, that they may be great before God.
Raise my children to fulfill the Word of God, and to be partakers of the heavenly blessedness for which they came into being.
Raise my children to have good hope in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 9

Raise my children to love Thee with all their hearts and minds.
Raise my children to open their lips only in the praise and glory of Thy blessings.
Raise my children to await the coming of Thy Son with tears.
Raise my children in watchful and continual prayer.
Raise my children to stand always before Thee with reverence.
Raise my children to bear good fruit.
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 10

Raise my children to be leaders in doing the will of Thy Son and God.
Raise my children to hate sin and all transgression.
Raise my children to love good and all virtue.
Raise my children in blameless purity.
Raise my children to ascent the ladder of their lives every day.
Raise my children to turn their eyes to Thy compassion in the midst of sorrows.
Raise my children to serve Thee in obedience and chastity.
Raise my children (names), O Lady,
to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 11

Raise my children to love Thee with all their hearts and minds.
Raise my children to open their lips only in the praise and glory of Thy blessings.
Raise my children in watchful and continual Prayer.
Raise my children to stand always before Thee with reverence.
Raise my children to bear good fruit.
Raise my children (names), O Lady,
to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 12

Raise my children to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Raise my children to be found on the right hand at the Judgement Seat of Thy Son.
Raise my children to live in a holy manner.
Raise my children to dwell securely on the path of faith by the grace of the Spirit of God.
Raise my children to dwell securely on the path of faith by the grace of the Spirit of God.
Raise my children to hunger and thirst insatiably for the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.
Raise my children to perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect.
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

 

 
 
(And again repeat, Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1.)

 

 
 
A Prayerful Sighing of Parents
For Their Children

 

 
 
Prayer to the Mother of God

 

 
 
Prayer to the Guardian Angel

 

 
 
Prayer for Children
Who Have Difficulty Learning.

 

 
 
Prayer for Unborn Infants

Most Holy Mother Of God, Save Us!