(December 10)
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, Mother of the Heavenly King, God’s Chosen Youth! Hope for the unreliable, healing for the sick, consolation and joy for the orphaned, consolation and joy for the grieving, quick help and intercession for those in trouble and adversity! Help us, O Mother of God, also to us sinners in our sorrow, gladden the hearts of Your people with joy; rule our lives in peace and silence and do not let us fall into despair. For You are the One, more than all the saints and more than all the Highest minds, our Representative to God, as the All-Good King, Good Mother. Moreover, we, sinners, look at Your Most Pure Image of the Sign, tenderly bow our knees and, reverently kissing, we pray to You, Blessed Mother: do not reject your humble prayer ours and show us the sign of Your mercy: no one, running to You with hope, comes from You to shame, but asks for grace and accepts the gift of useful petition, glorifying Your Son and God, and you with Him, forever and ever. Amen.