According to biblical teaching, despondency and sorrow are states of a sinful plan. Since a person falling into them ceases to be a phenomenon of life, he does not radiate life energy. But it is said: “Let it be unto you according to your light” (apostle Paul).
Therefore, it is important, despite the different situations and phenomena that occur in life, even after falling into a state of despondency, try to get out of it as soon as possible.
One of the methods created back in the VIII century AD by Saint Theostirikt is the singing of the Canon of the Penitent to the Lord, Mother of God, Guardian Angel. This will be discussed in this article.
About the author of canons
The monk Feostirikt (according to other sources Theoktirist) lived in the VIII century AD. He was a well-known admirer of sacred icons and a spiritual writer at that time.
Just in the years of his life Konstantin Kopronim ruled in Greece. He was a cruel king, since the period of his reign is considered the time of the development of iconoclasm in the church. Konstantin Kopronim was even compared with the pagan emperor Diocletian, who cruelly mocked Christians.
Also, this ruler subjected the monks for defending the Christian faith, protecting icons, terrible torture.
So St. Theostirict was no exception: his hands and nose were burned with hot tar. Others were stoned.
But this old man, the author of the sacred Canons of penitent to the Most Holy Theotokos, still endured the trials sent to him and lived a long, fruitful life, having died in old age.
Canons
According to ancient sources, the saint often experienced a state of despondency due to the constant persecution of Christians by the ruler of the country. He was deeply worried about the constantly collapsing attacks.
And therefore, being a man of deep faith, as well as a spiritual writer, he composed special poem songs that are called the Holy Canons Repented to Christ, the Virgin, the Guardian Angel. And they helped the monk get away from the negative state and again come to joy and peace.
Currently, believers who apply the Canons also feel positive about their inner state.
They are sung together "The Penitent Canon to the Lord, the Virgin and the Angel," or each individually. But this does not affect the meaning and result.
These songs are called like this:
- The penitential canon is moleben to the Most Holy Theotokos.
- The penitential canon to the Guardian Angel.
- The penitential canon to Jesus Christ.
About the language of canon songs
The article contains the Canon of the Penitent of the Blessed Virgin in Russian. And also to the Guardian Angel and the Lord (explained in Russian).
In the temples they are sung in Church Slavonic. But since not everyone knows and understands this language, the songs are translated into Russian so that everyone can clearly understand the meaning.
They are also translated into other languages of the world so that the Canons can sing other nationalities that worship the Orthodox faith.
Canon of the penitent prayer of the Virgin
The song begins with Troparia the Virgin (4th Voice), which states that a person zealously turns to the Queen of Heaven and bowes before her, repenting and crying out for help from the depths of her soul.
Further, the praise of the Theotokos and the promise of man never to recede from the Lady follow, since it is She - protection, support, support for the righteous of the earth. It is only thanks to Her that they are still free.
Psalm 50 reads an appeal to the grace of God and a request for cleansing from sin. Renew heart and spirit. Fill with joy. A request to help open your mouth and praise the Lord before other people without knowing fear. About willingness to sacrifice.
The Canon of the Penitent of the Theotokos begins (in Russian) with Voice 8, Canto 1, with Irmos, the connecting semantic link between Troparion and the Canon. A song of praise to God.
Chorus: request to the Virgin for salvation from temptations, passions, adversities and troubles. Sounds glory to the Queen of Heaven that gave birth to the Savior Son. The request for deliverance from disasters.
Canto 3. Hirmos: A request to the Lord in the affirmation of a person's love for Him.
- Chorus one: it is sung that the Mother of God is the Protector and Patroness of man, The reason for all the blessings.
- Chorus two: a prayer for help to the Virgin, so that confusion and despondency dissipate. Calling Her Parent the Chief of Silence.
- Glory (it is recommended that you say "Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit").
- And now (it is recommended to pronounce: "And now, and ever and forever and ever. Amen.")
- Further, a request to save the slaves of the Queen of Heaven (people worshiping Her) from misfortunes, since they turn to Her in prayers after God. A request for Her view on the body and soul of a grieving man.
- Troparia, Voice 2. The Name of the Virgin by the Intercession, By the wall of impregnability, Source of mercy, Refuge to the world.
Canto 4. Hirmos: an understanding of the sacrament of the Providence of the Lord, the glorification of God.
- Chorus one: the person’s appeal to the Queen of Heaven to calm the passions of excitement and the storm of sin.
- Chorus two: a request to the Virgin for mercy.
- Chorus Three: The Thanksgiving Song of Our Lady.
- Glory. Request for help.
- And now. Gratitude to the Queen of Heaven that She is Hope and Affirmation, and Salvation. The Wall is Unshakable.
Canto 5. Hirmos: a request to the God-Man-lover for the enlightenment of His Commandments and the World.
- Chorus one: an appeal to the Most Holy Theotokos to fill a person’s heart with joy and bright joy.
- Chorus two: please get rid of troubles.
- Glory. prayer to the Virgin to dispel the darkness of human sin.
- And now. A request for healing.
Canto 6. Hirmos: a prayer to the Lord for the proclamation of the sorrows of man.
- Chorus one: request to the Mother of God to pray for Her Son from the villainy of enemies to save a person.
- Chorus two: appeal to the Queen of Heaven as the Protector of life and the Faithful Guard, dissolving temptations, unclean spite, driving away prayers from destructive passions to deliver a person.
- Glory. A request for salvation from passions and troubles.
- And now. A request for salvation from fatal diseases of the body.
Kondak. Voice 6. Appeal to the Virgin as a Reliable Christian Protection, Intercession to God.
The second kondak. Voice 6. Appeal to the Most Holy as the only Helper and Hope.
Stichira. Voice 6. The request to the Mother of God is not for earthly intercession, but for Heaven.
Canto 7. Hirmos: A song about the youths from Judea who were burned for their faith in the Trinity.
- Chorus one: the chanting of the Savior, who came to Earth through the Womb of the Virgin - the Protector of the World.
- Chorus 2: appeal to the Queen of Heaven as a pure Mother, who gave birth to a Loving Mercy, in prayer for deliverance from sin and spiritual filth.
- Glory. An appeal to the Lord, who revealed the Mother as His Treasury of salvation and Source of eternity.
- And now. A request to the Mother of God for the healing of mental and physical weaknesses of a person.
Canto 8. Hirmos: Chanting of the King of Heaven.
- Chorus one: the request to the Queen of Heaven not to despise the help of those who ask, who extol her forever.
- Chorus of the second: chanting of the Virgin, as the Healer of human weaknesses.
- Glory. Chanting of the Virgin, abundantly pouring out healing to those who, with Faith, chant Her.
- And now. Chanting of the Virgin, reflecting temptations.
Canto 9. Hirmos: the statement that the Mother of God confesses the true Mother of God.
- Chorus one: a man’s request to the Queen of Heaven not to reject his tears, but to wipe them from his face.
- Chorus 2: request to fill the heart with Joy.
- Chorus three: the request to the Virgin to become a haven, protection, unshakable wall, shelter, cover, joy for people, resorting to her.
- Glory. The request to the Queen of Heaven with the Light of illumination to drive away the darkness of ignorance.
- And now. A request for healing from weakness for health.
Verses, Voice 2. Song of the Virgin, praise and thanks. Please pray for the salvation of the people of all Saints.
Prayer in the Penitent Canon to the Holy Virgin
After the Canon follows Prayer to the Queen of Heaven. It consists of two parts.
- The first is an appeal-request for help, comfort, resolution of suffering and misfortune.
- And in the second part, first there is a prayer-murmur, cry for help. Then the praise of the Virgin, already a joyous request for help. And in the conclusion of the Canon of the Penitent of the Virgin in Russian sounds "Rejoice!".
Canon repented to the Guardian Angel
Begins with Troparia, Voice 6. Appeal to the Angel of God, the keeper of the saint, affirm the human mind on the true path, and inflame the soul with love for the heavenly Father.
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And forever and ever. Amen.
Theotokos: request to the Queen of Heaven, the Holy Lady, to pray for the salvation of the soul of man Christ and the Angel. And forgive sins.
Canon. Voice 8. Song 1. Hirmos: a song of gratitude to the Lord that He led His people through the waters of the Red Sea.
- Chorus one: of mercy to Jesus Christ, sing a song and give praise to the Angel.
- Chorus two: a request to the Guardian Angel to pray to God for a man who is in foolishness and laziness at the moment. Do not leave him dying.
- Glory. The request is to direct the mind correctly to the Lord, and receive the remission of sins, and turn away from evil.
- And now. The request to the Virgin to pray for a person with the Guardian Angel.
Canto 3. Hirmos: the proclamation that the Lord is the Affirmation and the Light.
- Chorus one: a song about thoughts and souls directed to the Guardian Angel. The request for deliverance from the adversities of the enemy.
- Chorus two: recognition of the enemy, trampling and instructing to fulfill their desires. Request to the Angel for Protection.
- Glory. A request to the Angel to give the opportunity to sing the song of Praise to God and the Guardian Angel.
- And now: the request to the Mother of God to heal the ulcers of the soul and to drive away the enemies fighting with man.
Sedalen. Voice 2. Appeals to the Angel about protection and preservation from insidious tricks, about the direction to Heavenly Life, about admonition, enlightenment and strengthening.
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And forever and ever. Amen.
Theotokos: appeal to the Blessed Virgin together with the Angel for help in getting rid of all difficulties, granting tenderness and light to the soul.
Canto 4. Hirmos: a man hearing about the Sacrament of the Providence of the Lord. The admonition of His works. And His glorification.
- Chorus first. The request to the Angel to always pray to the Lord for a man, not to leave him, to save the world and to deliver salvation.
- Chorus second. Prayer to the Angel, as the Protector and Keeper of life from God. The request to free from all troubles.
- Glory. The request for cleansing and deliverance to the angel.
- And now: a request to the Virgin for deliverance from troubles and difficulties.
Canto 5. Hirmos: Glorification of the Lord.
- Chorus first. A song to the Guardian Angel to pray to the Lord for deliverance from the oppressive evils.
- Chorus two: a song to the Angel, as the shining Light, to enlighten the soul of man.
- Glory. The request to the Angel to keep awake in a person.
- And now. The request to the Virgin Mary to depose enemy exaltations, and those who glorify Her - to rejoice.
Canto 6. Hirmos: on the gift of Riesa.
- Chorus one: prayer to the Angel for salvation from adversity and sorrow.
- Chorus two: a request to the Guardian to sanctify the mind and thoughts.
- Glory. The request to the Guardian Angel to keep the human heart from confusion, awake to be in good deeds and to send to life-giving silence.
- And now. A song of praise to the Virgin.
Kondak. Voice 4. A request to the Angel for mercy, not excommunication, for enlightenment.
Ikos. A prayer request to the Guardian Angel for mercy and preservation of the soul, for enlightenment with good thoughts, for the deposition of enemies malicious against a person, to help him become worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Canto 7. Hirmos: about the youths from Judea who remained faithful to the Holy Trinity. For this they were burned.
- Chorus one: a request to the Angel for mercy, for He is the intercessor, mentor and guardian of human life forever.
- Chorus second. Prayer to the Angel for the protection of the human soul from the attacks of robbers on the way and its direction on the Way of repentance.
- Glory. A request to the Angel for the healing of the shamed soul of man.
- And now. According to the prayers of the Virgin, a request by wisdom to fulfill and a divine fortress.
Canto 8. Hirmos: Chanting of the King of Heaven.
- Chorus one: a request to the Guardian Angel to affirm a person’s life and stay forever with him.
- Chorus two: chanting of an angel - the soul of a human mentor and guardian.
- Glory. The Prayer of the Angel to be the Veil and the Wall of Fortress during times of trial.
- And now. The request to the Virgin to be for a person who believes in Her, a Helper and Silence.
Canto 9. Hirmos: appeal to the Lord, who is truly venerated through the Virgin Mary and with angels magnifies him.
- Chorus to Jesus: a request-song for mercy and joining a person to the host of the righteous.
- Chorus: request to the Guardian Angel about the thinking and creation of the good and the useful, to show power righteous and blameless in weakness.
- Glory. Angel's petition to pray for the man of the Lord and have mercy on him.
- And now. A request to the Virgin Mary to pray for Her Son to free a person from bonds and salvation.
Prayer to the Guardian Angel
As well as the prayer to the Virgin, the Penitent Canon concludes, and at the end of the Canon of the Penitent to the Guardian Angel the prayer.
At its very beginning, confession, repentance of human sins: laziness, evil temper, shameful deeds. But that’s the will of man, given to everyone by God from birth.
Further, comparing yourself with cattle is unreasonable, but this is not creative. Reprimanding oneself as a man before the Guardian Angel and deeds.
At the end, a prayer-request for help, mercy, intercession against an evil enemy with holy angel prayers sounds.
Canon of penitence to the Lord Jesus Christ
Begins with Song 1. Irmos: chanting a victorious song to God when the Israelites passed by land and the pharaohs drowned in the sea. A request for mercy, a repentant prayer to the Lord.
- Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- And now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.
- An appeal to the Mother of God asking for deliverance from the nets of darkness. And instructions on the Way of repentance.
Canto 3. Hirmos: Praise the Lord holy and merciful. Repentance of the soul before the terrible judgment.
- Glory. Prayer is the repentance of a person’s soul, through deeds and thoughts of a defiled, cruel heart.
- And now. Prayer-repentance and a request for mercy of the Virgin.
Sedalen. Repentance in the deeds of the crafty at the thought of a terrible day, a request to the Lord for mercy.
- Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- And now. Prayer for help and salvation to the Queen of Heaven.
Canto 4. Hirmos: Chanting of the Lord by the Holy Church. The path of the righteous is narrow, and voluptuousness is wide and convenient - a call to protect oneself from the second. Repentance.
- Glory. The call to seek the kingdom of God on earth, rather than material wealth that is perishable.
- And now. A prayer request to the Virgin for mercy, strengthening of virtue, and escort to the Kingdom of God.
Canto 5. Hirmos: morning prayer, request to the Lord to fill the soul of a person with Divine Light, Love, Light aspiration. Repentance in the affairs of sinners.
- Glory. The Lord accepts sinners who repent as a harlot and a robber in earthly life.
- And now. A request for help and purification of the soul to the Mother of God.
Canto 6. Hirmos: an appeal to the Lord for salvation from perdition in the sea of life, where there are many temptations.
- Glory. A prayer of repentance and mercy. A request for help from deliverance from sin.
- And now. The request to the Mother of God to save from the visible and invisible evil of man.
Kondak. Appeal to a soul who has sinned to repent before the Lord.
Ikos. A request to the soul for repentance before death.
Canto 7. Hirmos: the chanting of the furnace created by the Angel, sprinkling with the dew of the holy youths and God's command of the Chaldeans, that even the tormenting king exclaimed a blessing to God. An appeal to the soul of man does not rely on perishable wealth and external beauty.
- Glory. A call to the soul to remember eternal life for the righteous and torment for the unworthy.
- And now. Prayer of the Mother of God for first aid and pardon.
Canto 8. Hirmos: the exaltation of Christ for His holy works. A request to the Lord for repentance and mercy.
- Glory. Faith in the Lord and a request for repentance before death.
- And now. Prayer for repentance to the Most Holy Theotokos.
Canto 9. Hirmos: a man’s prayer to the Queen of Heaven, the Angels and the Archangels of deliverance from eternal torment.
- Glory. Prayer to the holy martyrs, hermits, the righteous, turn to the Lord for mercy on man.
- And now. A request to the Mother of God to pray for a person to the Lord, to have mercy on him during the trial.
Prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ
The fervent prayer of the repentant righteous man for Christ, who healed the human passions with His sufferings, healed human ulcers with his sores. The request to grant fragrance to the body of the Life-Giving and to sweeten the soul with Honest Blood, so that the bitterness of the enemies poured out.
The request to exalt the human mind to the Lord, to take away perdition from the abyss, to grant repentance and grace.
The prayer ends with a request to find a righteous man and to introduce him to the pasture of the Lord, to the sheep of the chosen herd.
Finally
The repentant Canon to the Mother of God, the Guardian Angel and Jesus Christ is a strong enough prayer song. Communion with this shrine is necessary only with sincere promptings in repentance.
But everyone who ever addresses the Canon of the Penitent to the Most Holy Theotokos in Russian or Church Slavonic - will definitely receive help and support.