Akathist to Saint Matrona of Moscow

Akathist to Saint Matrona of Moscow

Kontak 1

Chosen by the Holy Spirit of God from your swaddling clothes, O Blessed Eldress Matrona, you received bodily infirmity and blindness from God for your spiritual cleansing. You were enriched with the gift of foresight and wonder-working, and you have been adorned with an incorruptible crown from the Lord. Therefore, in gratitude we on earth offer unto you crowns wrought from praises, as we cry out :

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Ikos 1

As an angel in the flesh you appeared on the earth, O Blessed Matrona, fulfilling the will of God. Although you were born in bodily blindness, yet the Lord, who makes wise the blind and loves the righteous, enlightened your spiritual eyes, that you might serve His people, and that the works of God be made manifest through you. Therefore, with love we cry unto you such things as these :

Rejoice, you that were chosen by God from infancy ;

Rejoice, you that were covered by the Grace of the Holy Spirit from your cradle ;

Rejoice, you that were enriched with the gift of miracles from childhood  ;

Rejoice, you that were filled with wisdom from God on high ;

Rejoice, you that foresaw the will of God through spiritual eyes ;

Rejoice, you that put to shame the wise of this age who are blinded in mind ;

Rejoice, you that lead deluded souls unto God ;

Rejoice, you that are relief from grief and from sorrow ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 2

When you were baptised, O blessed one, the people and the priest beheld a wonderful pillar like smoke above your head, and they smelled a strong fragrance. Astonished, they wondered what this maid was destined to be, whilst singing unto God : Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Being illumined in mind, the priest of God Vasily discerned her whom he baptised to be a vessel of the Grace of God, and called you, O Righteous Matrona, a holy maiden. In our zeal, we bring praises such as these :

Rejoice, you that were made fragrant in the holy font by the Grace of the Holy Spirit ;

Rejoice, you upon whom the sign of the Cross was imprinted on your chest ;

Rejoice, you that are the prayerful one given to the people by God ;

Rejoice, you that are an ever-burning candle, shining before the Lord ;

Rejoice, you that are famous upon earth by the gift of miracles from God  ;

Rejoice, you that by your unfading crown are crowned by the Lord in Heaven ;

Rejoice, you that are a herald to sinners of the mercies of God ;

Rejoice, you that refresh the thirsty from the source of living water ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 3

You felt the Power of the Grace of God whilst yet in infancy, O Blessed Matrona. Stretching forth to the holy icons, and with a pure heart and infant lips, you proclaimed praise unto God : Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having from God the gift of foresight from infancy, O blessed mother, you knew the most hidden things in the hearts of those coming to you, telling the future as it were the present. By this, you set many people on the path of righteousness. By this, you glorified God, making wise the blind, and we cry out to you thus :

Rejoice, you that are a wondrous seer ;

Rejoice, you that are a denouncer of hidden sins ;

Rejoice, you that are a bright teacher of darkened souls ;

Rejoice, you that are a merciful guide of them that had gone astray ;

Rejoice, you that are a star pointing the way to the faithful ;

Rejoice, you that are a candle giving light in the darkness of this age ;

Rejoice, you that are a servant of the one God ;

Rejoice, you that by the Grace of the Holy Spirit trample the wiles of the devil ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 4

A storm of bewilderment and confusion in the people concerning your miracles was dispelled ; and those that were made wise by God, who is wonderful in His saints, glorified and praised you, and with thanksgiving sang unto God : Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing how you give help in sicknesses of spirit and body, O Mother Matrona, people came to you with hope ; and, receiving favourable counsel and healing, they gave thanks to God and they sang to you :

Rejoice, you that receive those with a diseased and suffering soul ;

Rejoice, you that bestow peace upon grieving souls ;

Rejoice, you that enlighten those that were in delusions ;

Rejoice, you that are a teacher of piety ;

Rejoice, you that relieve our sorrows ;

Rejoice, you that console in griefs ;

Rejoice, you that are a blessed unmercenary ;

Rejoice, you that are a benevolent healer of diverse ailments ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 5

As a divinely-moving star, O Blessed Mother Matrona, you shone forth in evil times in the land of Russia as a new confessor, and you bore the yoke of Christ boldly and fearlessly throughout your life. Strengthened by the Grace of God, you gave enlightenment to the bewildered, relief to the suffering, and healing to the sick, who thankfully cried unto God : Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing miracles and healings given by you through the Grace of God — the lame walking, the paralytic and bedridden healed, evil spirits cast out of the possessed — many Russian people rushed to you, O Mother, as to an inexhaustible source. They drank from it profusely, and with tender heart they cried out to you thus :

Rejoice, you that were called to the right path from infancy ;

Rejoice, you that are a righteous one bestowed upon us by God ;

Rejoice, you that are a healer of our ailments ;

Rejoice, you that are a speedy helper in our needs ;

Rejoice, you that enlighten us through your inspired advice ;

Rejoice, you that are a quick resolver of our bewilderment ;

Rejoice, you that drive away unclean spirits from the people ;

Rejoice, you that protect us from every evil by your prayer ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 6

The holy and righteous Father John of Kronstadt appeared to be a herald of the holiness and righteousness of your life, O blessed mother, when he saw you in the church, and he called you his heir and the eighth pillar of Russia. All who heard this glorified the Lord, proclaiming to Him : Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Through your prayers, mother Matrona, the light of God’s Grace shone in the hearts of them having no knowledge of God and burdened by many sins which angered Him. Seeing the miracles performed by you, they turned to the Lord, crying to you in gratitude thus :

Rejoice, you whose feats glorify God ;

Rejoice, you that reveal to us of the glory of God ;

Rejoice, you that guide the faithless to the right path ;

Rejoice, you that cleanse by your prayers those defiled by sins ;

Rejoice, you that call us to repentance ;

Rejoice, you that admonish us to thank the Lord for all things ;

Rejoice, you that teach us to love the divine Church ;

Rejoice, you that gather the scattered sheep into the sheep-fold of the Church ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 7

Wishing worthily to glorify the Most Holy Lady Theotokos, O Mother Matrona, you ordered the people to have her depicted in the greatly honourable icon called “In Search of the Lost” and to place it in the Temple of God in your village, so that all who look upon the bright face of the Most-Pure One, might tenderly praise her, and to the Lord also cry out : Alleluia.

Ikos 7

The Lord gave you as a new protectress, prayerful mediator, and intercessor with God to the Russian people in the hard times when many forsook the holy Church ; and you, O Mother, by word and deed, set the fainthearted and deceived on the right path, and revealed the wonderful miracles of God. Wherefore we hymn you thus :

Rejoice, you that feel ceaseless compassion for the country of Russia ;

Rejoice, you that intercede for our salvation ;

Rejoice, you that move to compassion God the righteous Judge ;

Rejoice, you that protect the diseased and the wronged ;

Rejoice, you that help the weak and the desperate ;

Rejoice, you that are a ceaseless warrior against the spirits of malice ;

Rejoice, you at whom the demon-chiefs tremble ;

Rejoice, you at whom angels and people rejoice ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 8

Strange it was for the weak in faith and the unwise that, although born blind, you could see and know not only the present, but also the future, for they knew not that the power of God is fulfilled in human weakness. And we, O blessed Mother, seeing the wisdom of God manifested in you, cry out to God : Alleluia.

Ikos 8

You bore many vexations and offences, exiles and reproaches, O blessed mother. You did not complain about these, but in all things you gave thanks to God. For these things and for teaching us each with patience to carry our Cross, we praise you thus :

Rejoice, you that prayed without ceasing ;

Rejoice, you that drove away spiritual wickedness by fasting and prayer ;

Rejoice, you that have gained graceful peace ;

Rejoice, you by whose love, many round about you were saved ;

Rejoice, you whose life is of service to many ;

Rejoice, you by whom after your repose people are ever helped ;

Rejoice, you that now fervently heed our petitions ;

Rejoice, you that do not leave them that put their trust in your care ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 9

Your bore all manner of sorrows and diseases, O Mother Matrona, ever leading the struggle with the forces of darkness, denouncing their machinations and guile, and expelling demons from the possessed. Up to the end of your days, you helped them in sufferings, illnesses and grief, ever singing unto God : Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Eloquent orators are not able worthily to glorify your holy life, nor the miracles wrought by you through the power of God, O most marvellous Eldress. And we, wishing by hymns to praise God in His saints, and with heartfelt love inspired, dare to sing to you thus :

Rejoice, you that chose the narrow path and the strait gates ;

Rejoice, you that shone by many virtues ;

Rejoice, you that rejected all in life that is passing ;

Rejoice, you that are adorned with the precious crown of humility ;

Rejoice, you that are a bird of Heaven, that live the Gospel on earth ;

Rejoice, you that followed the Son of God who had not where to lay His head ;

Rejoice, you that rejoice now in the mansions of Paradise ;

Rejoice, you whose mercy is never failing to us sinners who pray to you ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 10

Wishing to save many people from bodily sufferings and spiritual sicknesses, you stayed all night in prayer, O righteous one of God, beseeching of our Lord Jesus Christ help and strengthening for them, as you sang to Him : Alleluia.

Ikos 10

In the days of your life, You were a rampart and protection to all who resorted to you, O Blessed Mother ; and after death you ceaselessly intercede before God for the people who in faith run towards to your tomb. Therefore, hearken now unto us sinners, consumed by sorrows, sickness and many griefs ; and by your prayers, hasten to help all that cry unto you :

Rejoice, you that are a speedy intercessor for the distressed ;

Rejoice, you that are a comforter of those bearing hardships ;

Rejoice, you that are a guardian of worthy marriage ;

Rejoice, you that are a pacifier of all that persist in strife ;

Rejoice, you that are a defender of those brought unjustly to trial ;

Rejoice, you that are a merciful advocate before God for those guilty before an earthly judgement ;

Rejoice, you that are a refuge of them deprived of shelter ;

Rejoice, you that are a protectress of all that call upon you ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 11

You heard angelic singing, O worthy Mother Matrona, whilst yet living on earth. Teach us, the unworthy, how we should glorify God in the Holy Trinity, worshipping the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to whom also the heavenly host unceasingly sing with a great voice : Alleluia.

Ikos 11

Your life shines with luminous light, O Blessed Matrona, enlightening the darkness of this too-busy world, and you draw our souls unto you. Therefore, by the ray of the Grace of God, we will be enlightened, and our mournful way in this temporal life shall pass in a manner pleasing to God. Thus we shall attain unto the Kingdom of God, where you, O Mother, now take up your abode, and you hear our voice calling to you :

Rejoice, you that are an ever-burning candle of God ;

Rejoice, you that are a precious pearl, illuminating us by the light of your holiness ;

Rejoice, you that are a sweet-smelling flower which by the Holy Spirit covers us with fragrance ;

Rejoice, you that are a rock of faith, establishing the fainthearted in piety ;

Rejoice, you that are a bright star pointing out to us the right way ;

Rejoice, you that are a good warrior of Christ, by the sword of prayer frightening demonic hosts ;

Rejoice, you that throughout your life were holy and undefiled ;

Rejoice, you whose death is precious in the sight of the Lord ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 12

The Grace of God, already richly perceived from your cradle, O Blessed Mother, was with you all the days of your life. We believe without doubt that also after your repose this Grace is with you abundantly. Therefore, falling down before you, we pray : do not deprive us who are still wandering on earth of your help and intercession. Beseech the Lord to have mercy on all who sing unto Him : Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing of your many and marvellous wonders, O Mother Matrona, we glorify God who gave you as a staunch pillar of piety and faith to the city of Moscow and to the Russian land in the days of atheism and persecution. Now, O Blessed Mother, with grateful heart we hymn you thus :

Rejoice, you that have attained the peace of Christ in your soul ;

Rejoice, you that led many people about you to God ;

Rejoice, you in whose feeble body, the power of the Grace of God was shown ;

Rejoice, you that in the finding of your honourable relics, the mercy of God to us is revealed ;

Rejoice, you that are a blossom in the assembly of the saints of Moscow ;

Rejoice, you that are a glorious adornment of the city of Moscow ;

Rejoice, you that are a constant intercessor before God for the Russian land ;

Rejoice, you that call all to repentance and prayer for the Russian land ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 13

O Blessed Mother, hear now our hymns of praise which we sing to you, and ask of the Lord Jesus Christ for us the remission of sins, a Christian death, a peaceful repose, a good answer at His dread judgement, and that we may be blessed with you in the dwellings of Paradise to glorify the Holy Trinity, crying out : Alleluia. (This kontak is read thrice)

Ikos 1

As an angel in the flesh you appeared on the earth, O Blessed Matrona, fulfilling the will of God. Although you were born in bodily blindness, yet the Lord, who makes wise the blind and loves the righteous, enlightened your spiritual eyes, that you might serve His people, and that the works of God be made manifest through you. Therefore, with love we cry unto you such things as these :

Rejoice, you that were chosen by God from infancy ;

Rejoice, you that were covered by the Grace of the Holy Spirit from your cradle ;

Rejoice, you that were enriched with the gift of miracles from childhood  ;

Rejoice, you that were filled with wisdom from God on high ;

Rejoice, you that foresaw the will of God through spiritual eyes ;

Rejoice, you that put to shame the wise of this age who are blinded in mind ;

Rejoice, you that lead deluded souls unto God ;

Rejoice, you that are relief from grief and from sorrow ;

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Kontak 1

Chosen by the Holy Spirit of God from your swaddling clothes, O Blessed Eldress Matrona, you received bodily infirmity and blindness from God for your spiritual cleansing. You were enriched with the gift of foresight and wonder-working, and you have been adorned with an incorruptible crown from the Lord. Therefore, in gratitude we on earth offer unto you crowns wrought from praises, as we cry out :

Rejoice, O Righteous Mother Matrona, fervent intercessor for us before God.

Prayer to Saint Matrona

O Blessed Matushka Matrona, your soul in Heaven stands before the throne of God ; your body rests upon earth, and you bestow diverse miracles through the Grace given you from on high.

Look with your merciful eye upon us sinners who pass our days in sorrows, sicknesses and sinful temptations. Console us who are in despair. Heal our grievous ailments which God allowed because of our sins. Deliver us from many misfortunes and attacks of evil spirits. Beseech our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us all our trespasses, transgressions and falls, and our sins committed from our youth up to the present day and hour.

By your prayers, obtain for us Grace and great mercy, that we may glorify the Holy Trinity, One God : Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Amen.

[Original translation by Reader Andreas Moran]