Prayers Before the Lesna Icon of the Theotokos
Prayer I
O all-holy Mistress, our merciful helper and mediatress before God! Disdain not our sinfulness and uselessness. Open unto us the portals of thy lovingkindness, and by thy supplications save the Church of Christ from the dark powers of hell. Establish in our land peace, righteousness, and piety; grant true pastors to thy reason-endowed flock, and confirm, admonish and strengthen them; preserve our holy things, that defiling hands may not touch them. From pernicious influences harmful to the soul do thou protect the servants of the Lord—innocent babes, children, the young, and the simple-hearted. Enlighten and turn to the way of Truth all who have fallen away from the Faith and the Church of Christ; have mercy on all who call upon thy name and ask thy holy aid. With thy mercy visit all who suffer in prisons, the sick, orphaned, destitute, naked, and starving; support the penitent; raise up those who are sinking in the abyss of sin; strengthen and bless those who struggle for the sake of the Lord, and help them to bear their cross with endurance. Teach us heartfelt prayer, love, patience, humility, and moderation, and deliver us from all evil. O Mother of the human race, full of all lovingkindness! Deprive not even one of us of thy gracious aid all the days of our earthly sojourn, forsake us not at our final hour, and vouchsafe us true repentance and the communion of the holy Mysteries of Christ. At the dread hour of our death do thou thyself intercede for us who tremble, and lead us unharmed through the way-stations of the cruel prince of this world, that sheltered beneath thy protection, we may attain unto the desired heavenly homeland, and with all the saints may hymn the most honorable and majestic name of the right worshipful Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—and thy great lovingkindness toward us, unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer II
O all-holy Lady and Mistress, falling down before thy precious icon with fear, faith, and love, we entreat thee: Turn not thy face away from those who flee unto thee. O kindly Mother, beseech thy Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He preserve and establish in peace our land, the realm of Russia; and that He maintain His Holy Church unshaken by unbelief, heresies, and schism: for we have no other help, we have no other hope than thee, O all-pure Virgin: for thou art the omnipotent helper and aid of Christians. From falls into sin, from the attacks of evil men, from all manner of temptations, tribulations, misfortunes, and from sudden death, deliver all who pray to thee with faith. Grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of our thoughts, amendment of our sinful life, and remission of transgressions, that, hymning thy greatness with thanksgiving, all of us may be vouchsafed the kingdom of heaven, and may there, with all the saints, glorify the all-honorable and majestic name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.