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Saint Alexander of Svir is called “The Abraham of the New Testament” because he was the only Saint that was visited directly in this life by the Most Holy Trinity, after Abraham originally was back in the Old Testament Period.
Feast Day: 30 AUGUST
Saint Alexander of Svir lived from 1448 to 1533 in Russia, and is the only known saint who was deemed worthy to behold the Holy Trinity, just as the Righteous Abraham had once done. In the saint’s life, the Saviour’s words were fulfilled: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’
Russian soil has given birth to great saints of the Church of Christ, great worshippers of the Holy Trinity. Thus, amongst those who have been given epithets due to their piety and zeal, we recall the following: Saint Sergius of Radonezh is called ‘the theologian of the Holy Trinity’, Saint Andrew Rublev is called ‘the painter of the Holy Trinity’, Saint Paul Florensky is called ‘the confessor of the Holy Trinity’ through his martyrdom, and Saint Alexander of Svir is called ‘the prophet of the Holy Trinity’, as one who was deemed worthy to behold the Holy Trinity, like Abraham, through the appearance of three angels.
In 1904, Saint John of Kronstadt wrote in his ‘Diary’: ‘Twice, in the entire history of mankind, has God revealed Himself in the Trinity before human eyes: the first time to Saint Abraham, at the Oak of Mamre, revealing God’s great mercy towards the human race, and the second time, on Russian soil, to the Most Venerable Saint Alexander of Svir.”
The Three Holy Angels appeared to the saint around the years 1506-1508, on the banks of Lake Roscinsk, near the River Svir, and commanded him to build a church in honour of the Holy Trinity. It was here that the Holy Trinity Monastery was later built, which is now known as the Lavra of Saint Alexander of Svir – Svirski.
Many years had passed since the saint had settled in this wilderness, before he came to know God’s will. Thus, after more than 23 years had passed, the Lord deigned to reveal Himself to him in the form of three angels, just as He had once appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre. Each angel was a deep light and held a sceptre in his hand.
The angels said to the saint, who was overcome with trembling: ‘Take heart, blessed one, do not be afraid. Beloved, since you see in Three Persons the One who speaks to you, build a church in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity. Behold, I leave you My peace; My peace I will give to you.’ On the site of this marvellous revelation stands today a magnificent monastery, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, known throughout the land as the ‘Lavra of Saint Alexander of Svir’.”
Saint Alexander of Svir passed away on 30 August / 12 September 1533, at the age of 85. As he himself recorded, his body was buried in the wilderness, rather than in the monastery he had founded.
In the 23rd year of his life in the wilderness, in 1508, a great light appeared to him whilst he was praying at night, and he saw three radiant men, shining with unspeakable glory, each holding a staff in his hand. Startled, the saint fell face down on the ground, but they lifted him up and said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, for the Holy Spirit has taken up residence within you, because of the purity of your heart’. They then assured him once more that he would build a stone church on that spot and erect a great monastery. But the saint replied that he was a sinner and unworthy of such a task, for he had come there merely to lament his sins. But the men encouraged him, advising him to dedicate the church to the Holy Trinity, who had appeared to him. After this, they vanished, saying to him: ‘My peace I leave with you.’ And whilst the saint was at a loss as to where to build the church, an angel suddenly appeared to him, with outstretched wings, and showed him the very spot where the Holy Trinity had appeared to him.
Patronage: for forming as close a relationship to God/with God as possible, getting pregnant, help in childbirth, healing from physical and spiritual ailments, incurable diseases, prophetic guidance, knowledge, help in finding a vocation, help in monastic vocation/spiritual life, general protection/needs, for a good death, granting wishes, perseverance, healer of mental illnesses, for Trinitarian Devotions
Kontakion 1
O beloved chosen one of Christ and wonder-worker, Venerable Father Alexander, we praise you with love in spiritual hymns, for you, who like a bright star of God have illuminated the world and adorned your life with virtue and a multitude of miracles; and you, having boldness before the Lord, deliver us from all misfortunes through your prayers, so that we may sing to you: Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Ikos 1
You possessed an angelic nature, Venerable Father, and, like a spirit without a body, you led an unblemished life on earth, leaving us a marvellous example of perfection, so that, following your virtues, we may sing to you:
Rejoice, fruit bestowed by God upon your faithful parents;
Rejoice, thou who didst put an end to thy parents’ childlessness;
Rejoice, thou who didst turn their sorrow into joy;
Rejoice, thou who wast chosen by God from the cradle;
Rejoice, thou who wast ordained from thy mother’s womb for His service;
Rejoice, thou who from thy youth loved Him alone with all thy heart;
Rejoice, thou who turned all the beauties of this world into nothing;
Rejoice, thou who, through fasting and vigil in prayer, humbled thy body;
Rejoice, spotless vessel of God’s grace;
Rejoice, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, adorned with purity;
Rejoice, man of spiritual aspirations;
Rejoice, head sanctified by the right hand of the Most High;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 2
Beholding the Lord your soul as a well-tilled field ready for spiritual fruit, from your youth you directed your thoughts towards the pursuit of one thing of true worth, O Venerable One, and, for the love of Christ, you left your parents and your father’s house, renouncing all vain desires, and came to the wilderness of Valaam for monastic asceticism, singing to God, Who delivered you: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
With a mind enlightened by God, you understood the vanity and transience of this world, for in it joy is replaced by sorrow, and prosperity is swept away by unexpected misfortunes. Therefore, O Venerable Father, you longed for the eternal and imperishable blessings, and you strove to attain them by renouncing worldly goods and embracing voluntary poverty, urging us to sing to you:
Rejoice, lover of the silence of the wilderness;
Rejoice, seeker of humility and poverty;
Rejoice, perfect embodiment of true self-denial;
Rejoice, peerless embodiment of the monastic life, truly angelic;
Rejoice, model of faith and piety;
Rejoice, mirror of obedience and patience;
Rejoice, you who loved monastic silence;
Rejoice, thou who hast attained spiritual tears;
Rejoice, thou who, through temporary sorrow, hast found eternal bliss;
Rejoice, thou who, through ceaseless prayers, hast destroyed the snares of the enemy;
Rejoice, thou who, through toil and vigils, subdued thy body to thy soul;
Rejoice, thou who, through fasting and self-denial, put thy passions to death;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 3
Shrouded and strengthened by the power of the Most High, through the monastic tonsure you renounced all worldly thoughts, O Venerable One, and, like a most skilful soldier, you donned the monastic robe as the armour of salvation, and, arming yourself with the invincible weapon of the Cross of Christ, you fought valiantly against the unseen enemy; through deep humility you overcame his lofty pride, and with all your heart you sang to the Lord: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Possessing a bountiful spring of tears, O beloved of God, and having attained the great grace of compassion, you moistened your bread with tears and mingled your drink with weeping, out of the overflowing thirst for God and love for the Lord. Therefore we too bless you with these hymns:
Rejoice, ascetic of strength and manliness;
Rejoice, man like the angels;
Rejoice, soldier of the Heavenly King who was victorious;
Rejoice, fine fruit of the Valaam monastery;
Rejoice, beloved dweller of the wilderness;
Rejoice, tireless intercessor;
Rejoice, unrivalled faster;
Rejoice, marvellous lover of silence;
Rejoice, follower of the asceticism of the God-bearing Fathers;
Rejoice, follower of their patience and toil;
Rejoice, you who dug your own grave in good time;
Rejoice, you who ceaselessly meditated upon the hour of death;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 4
The storm of temptations and devilish attacks could not shake the dwelling place of your soul, for it was founded upon the firm rock of faith in Christ, Reverend Father, and protected by vigilance and ceaseless prayers, through which you fought with all your heart against the enemy of human salvation, and unceasingly ascended the ladder of virtues towards perfection, to the measure of Christ’s age, singing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
Hearing praise from men, you feared vain glory, O Father enlightened by God, and, as a true example of humility, you resolved to flee to a foreign wilderness, on the banks of the Svir, to the place which had been revealed to you from on high in a marvellous vision, and there, in freedom, you served God alone, for which we sing these praises to you:
Rejoice, good and humble follower of the Lord Christ;
Rejoice, zealous fulfiller of His holy commandments;
Rejoice, lover of spiritual and bodily chastity;
Rejoice, you who loved labour without hypocrisy;
Rejoice, for you despised human glory;
Rejoice, for you destroyed the snares of vain glory and pride;
Rejoice, for you trampled underfoot the deceit of pride that harms the soul;
Rejoice, thou who hast made the holy humility of Christ thy own;
Rejoice, thou who hast fulfilled all the vows of monastic life;
Rejoice, thou who hast adorned thyself with the gifts of God’s grace;
Rejoice, thou who, through grace, hast received power over unclean spirits;
Rejoice, for you have reduced their terrors and visions to nothing;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 5
The radiant ray in the darkness of the night illuminated the desolate place, and you came to dwell there, O Reverend One, revealing the light of your soul and kindling your heart with love for the Lord, for your will to serve Him in piety and holiness and to sing there the hymn of praise was pleasing to the Creator: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Beholding your angelic way of life, O blessed Father of God, the angelic hosts marvelled at the depth of your humility, your perseverance in prayer, and your steadfastness in self-denial, and the great zeal of your spirit for purity, they marvelled and glorified the Lover of mankind, God, Who has strengthened our feeble human nature. And we bless you and sing to you:
Rejoice, candlestick of the wilderness, who hast illuminated the land of Karelia with the radiance of thy virtues;
Rejoice, marvellous adornment of the monks;
Rejoice, fragrant lily of the wilderness;
Rejoice, fruitful tree of the heavenly garden;
Rejoice, thou who loved the beauty of God’s house;
Rejoice, thou who hast prepared within thyself a dwelling-place for the Triune Godhead;
Rejoice, thou who art clothed in righteousness and piety;
Rejoice, thou who art girded with the belt of virtues;
Rejoice, thou who hast received the anointing of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, sanctified vessel of God’s grace;
Rejoice, good and faithful servant of Christ;
Rejoice, true servant of the Lord;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 6
The hunter, who proclaimed your ascetic labours in the wilderness of Svir, whilst chasing a stag through the impenetrable forest, found your hut through God’s providence, Reverend Father, and, seeing you in the form of an angel, bearing the sign of grace-filled light upon your face, he was filled with both fear and joy and fell at your honoured feet, and with a moved heart, he sang to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Like a bright torch of God in the wilderness of Svir, you shone forth and guided many human souls along the path of salvation; for Christ, the guide and teacher, revealed you to the monks who loved the desert, who, like sheep to their shepherd, came to you, and you nourished them on the life-giving pasture. Therefore, we honour you, who laboured and taught, with these words of praise:
Rejoice, fountain of God-inspired teachings;
Rejoice, rich repository of tenderness;
Rejoice, living tablet of the Lord’s law;
Rejoice, ceaseless preacher of the Gospel of Christ;
Rejoice, thou who fulfilled the Lord’s commandments and taught them to thy disciples;
Rejoice, thou who, through thy Christ-like conduct, urged the slothful to reform;
Rejoice, you who, through the grace bestowed upon you by the Lord, have strengthened the weak;
Rejoice, you who, with the sweetness of your words, have comforted the afflicted;
Rejoice, you who have guided sinners to repentance;
Rejoice, thou who hast imparted wisdom to the young;
Rejoice, thou who art full of compassion;
Rejoice, thou who art rich in mercy;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 7
The Lord, the Lover of mankind, has glorified the site of your ascetic labours, Father, and sent His angel to bring you the good news that on that spot a monastery would be built for the salvation of the monks, and within it a church in honour of the Holy Trinity would be erected. And you, enlightened by the appearance of the incorporeal One, received the heavenly good news with joy and awe, and in the humility of the spirit, you sang to the Lord of angels and men: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
A new sign of God’s goodwill was bestowed upon you, O Venerable One, when in the chosen wilderness you lived in silence, for in the night a great light shone upon you, and three men in radiant garments stood before you, bestowing peace upon you and commanding you to build a monastery there for monks, and within it, a church in honour of the Holy Trinity. And we, marvelling at this most wondrous manifestation of the Trinity in angelic form, sing to you:
Rejoice, secret servant of the Most Holy and Consubstantial Trinity;
Rejoice, witness to the ineffable manifestation of God;
Rejoice, co-intercessor with the light-bearing angelic powers;
Rejoice, beholder of the luminous divine manifestation;
Rejoice, partaker of the Trinitarian radiance, that which is in the form of fire;
Rejoice, worshipper of the Godhead in Three Radiances;
Rejoice, thou who, in a mortal body, wast enlightened by the dawn of eternity;
Rejoice, thou who wast deemed worthy of a heavenly visit upon earth;
Rejoice, thou who, through humility, attained the highest things;
Rejoice, thou who, through poverty, acquired the Lord’s abundant mercy;
Rejoice, thou who, with tears, sowed eternal joy;
Rejoice, thou who faithfully fulfilled the promises;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 8
In the guise of a stranger, the angel of the Lord, clad in a monastic robe, appeared to you in the air and revealed to you the site upon which you were to build the church in honour of the Life-Giving Trinity in the wilderness of Svir, Reverend Father, and, with God’s help, having raised it up and consecrated it, together with your disciples you offered unceasing praise to the Lord within it, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Surrendering yourself entirely to the will of the Lord and being persuaded by your disciples, you received the grace of the priesthood, Father, though your spirit was grieved, being daunted by the loftiness of the priesthood; yet you obeyed your spiritual sons, thereby urging them to sing to you with one voice:
Rejoice, worthy celebrant of the bloodless sacrifice;
Rejoice, devout minister of the Lord’s altar;
Rejoice, thou who with great boldness lifted up thy pious hands to the Lord;
Rejoice, thou who raised fervent prayers from a pure heart to the throne of the Almighty;
Rejoice, thou who wast an example of true faith to thy disciples;
Rejoice, head crowned with the virtue of the priesthood;
Rejoice, skilful leader of the spiritual host;
Rejoice, wise father of communal monastic life;
Rejoice, candle alight in prayer to God;
Rejoice, guiding star on the righteous path to salvation;
Rejoice, olive tree pouring forth the oil of divine mercy;
Rejoice, chalice quenching the thirst of those who long for the teaching of salvation;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 9
All the monks of your monastery trembled with joy when, through your prayer, you stilled the torrent of water that was rushing towards the holy monastery; and by invoking the almighty name of Jesus Christ, you built a mill upon the rushing stream for the monks’ good use. Seeing this, your spiritual sons cried out to God with all their hearts, together with you: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
Human words cannot express the abundance of spiritual joy with which you were filled, O God-bearing Father, when, during your night-time prayer, the Most Holy Mother of God appeared to you together with the angelic hosts and, through unchanging promises, gladdened your soul, for she promised to be the eternal protector of your monastery, sustaining and defending it day by day. Therefore, we too bring these words of joy to you:
Rejoice, you who were graced by the Mother of God;
Rejoice, you who were comforted by the visit of the Queen of heaven and earth;
Rejoice, you who heard merciful words from her lips;
Rejoice, you who received her promise of the monastery’s mighty protection;
Rejoice, you who are truly loved by her;
Rejoice, chosen one of her Son and God;
Rejoice, you who have been endowed with the gift of working miracles;
Rejoice, for you have foreseen both future and present events;
Rejoice, for you have miraculously multiplied the fisherman’s catch;
Rejoice, for you have granted childbearing to childless parents;
Rejoice, for you have restored the sick to health;
Rejoice, for you have rebuked the secret sins of men;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 10
Wishing to save the souls of your disciples, you guided them in a fatherly manner, O Venerable One, enlightened by God, both by your words and by the example of your life, gently rebuking them and lovingly urging them to attain piety and purity; and moreover, before your passing, you commanded all that is beneficial for the salvation of the soul and taught them to keep vigil in prayer and to sing ceaselessly to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
Your prayers are a wall of defence, O Holy Wonderworker, for all who come to you in faith in every tribulation, for through the purity of your heart God has granted you spiritual power, that you may heal the sick, help the poor, and prophesy the future, so that both those near and those far away may glorify the majesty of God revealed in you and sing to you:
Rejoice, you physician without payment for human suffering;
Rejoice, you peerless healer not only of bodily ailments but also of those of the soul;
Rejoice, for you grant sight to the blind;
Rejoice, for you restore health to the lame and the infirm;
Rejoice, for you deliver those possessed by the devil’s torment;
Rejoice, for you grant sound minds to the mad;
Rejoice, for you heal those covered in wounds;
Rejoice, for you comfort the sorrowful;
Rejoice, for you hasten to the aid of the poor;
Rejoice, for you grant freedom to the enslaved and those in prison;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 11
A most moving hymn did you offer to the Most Holy Trinity before your passing, O Venerable One, and with prayer upon your lips you committed your holy soul into the hands of the Living God, for you loved Him from your youth and served Him alone, with unfeigned devotion, until your advanced old age; therefore, with good hope and joy, you have passed into the heavenly dwellings, that together with the angelic hosts you may sing to the Triune God: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Beholding your peaceful passing, O beloved of God, your disciples mingled the bitterness of parting from you with the comfort of grace, placing their hope in your powerful intercession before the throne of God; for this reason, you hear them singing to you with love:
Rejoice, thou who hast received the crown of eternal life from the hands of the Almighty;
Rejoice, thou who rejoicest in the chamber of the Heavenly Lord;
Rejoice, thou who with thine own eyes beholdest the glory of the Triune Godhead;
Rejoice, you who worship the Creator together with the elders clothed in white;
Rejoice, heir to the luminous Kingdom of Christ;
Rejoice, dweller in the Jerusalem on High;
Rejoice, inhabitant of Heavenly Zion;
Rejoice, you who dwell in the tents of Heaven, not made by human hands;
Rejoice, you who, after the labours of this fleeting life, have attained eternal rest;
Rejoice, you who have rightly received the joy prepared for the righteous from of old;
Rejoice, thou who wast enlightened by the rays of the unwaning light from on high;
Rejoice, thou who shone forth through the majesty of thy miracles;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 12
The holy reliquary containing your healing relics has been revealed as a source of grace, O Holy Wonder-worker, for, after many years in the depths of the earth, the Lord has revealed them to be incorrupt, pouring forth abundant healings and curing every illness by the power of God, Who is marvellous in His saints, Who has glorified you in a marvellous way in heaven and on earth, and to Whom we sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
We who sing songs of joy, praise and thanksgiving to the God who loves mankind—Who has glorified you in the land of Russia as a good and merciful miracle-worker—we beseech you, our Venerable Father, to be our intercessor before Him and our ever-praying advocate for us who sing to you:
Rejoice, defender of the Christian people;
Rejoice, treasure of manifold gifts;
Rejoice, God-given protection;
Rejoice, you who have received from God the grace of healing;
Rejoice, flower of immortal life, who spreads a sweet fragrance throughout the Holy Church;
Rejoice, dawn of eternity, who shone forth from the tomb in glorious splendour;
Rejoice, inexhaustible river of beneficence and mercy;
Rejoice, abundant spring of goodness;
Rejoice, most marvellous image of love and compassion;
Rejoice, healing bestowed by God upon our bodies;
Rejoice, most pleasing intercessor for our souls;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 13
O great and most glorified miracle-worker, Venerable Father Alexander! Receive with mercy this humble prayer of ours, and through your intercession protect us in this life from spiritual and bodily sufferings, deliver us from eternal torments, and make us worthy, together with you, to sing to God with all our hearts in the Kingdom of Heaven: Alleluia!
This kontakion is sung three times.
Then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are sung
Ikos 1
You possessed an angelic nature, Venerable Father, and, like a spirit without a body, you led an unblemished life on earth, leaving us a marvellous example of perfection, so that, following your virtues, we may sing to you:
Rejoice, fruit bestowed by God upon your faithful parents;
Rejoice, thou who didst put an end to thy parents’ childlessness;
Rejoice, thou who didst turn their sorrow into joy;
Rejoice, thou who wast chosen by God from the cradle;
Rejoice, thou who wast ordained from thy mother’s womb for His service;
Rejoice, thou who from thy youth loved Him alone with all thy heart;
Rejoice, thou who turned all the beauties of this world into nothing;
Rejoice, thou who, through fasting and vigil in prayer, humbled thy body;
Rejoice, spotless vessel of God’s grace;
Rejoice, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, adorned with purity;
Rejoice, man of spiritual aspirations;
Rejoice, head sanctified by the right hand of the Most High;
Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Kontakion 1
O beloved chosen one of Christ and wonder-worker, Venerable Father Alexander, we praise you with love in spiritual hymns, for you, who like a bright star of God have illuminated the world and adorned your life with virtue and a multitude of miracles; and you, having boldness before the Lord, deliver us from all misfortunes through your prayers, so that we may sing to you: Rejoice, Venerable Alexander, miracle-worker of Svir!
Prayer to the Venerable Alexander of Svir
O Venerable One and Bearer of God, our Father Alexander, we humbly seek your blessed help and earnestly beseech you to lift up your hands on our behalf, we sinners, to our Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, that she may remember her past mercies, by which she promised to remain inseparable from your monastery; and may she grant us strength and fortitude against the enemies of the soul, who lead us astray from the path of salvation, that we may be victorious over them, and on the Day of the Dreadful Judgement may we hear from you that voice of praise: ‘Behold, O God, me and the children you have given me!’ and may we receive the crown of victory from the Conqueror of our enemies, Christ, the Son of God; and may we, who glorify the Most Holy Trinity—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit—gain the inheritance of eternal blessings together with You, through Your merciful intercession and protection, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen!
The Prayer of Saint Alexander of Svir for Every Day
Soul, my soul, why do you lament before the Lord? For your sloth is your intercessor for eternal torments. If you knew the gift of God, you would weep with fervent tears, sighing and grieving for every sin, both small and great. Cry out to your Lady that the wrath of Him who holds all things in His almighty right hand may not strike you; but I, the sinner and the slothful one, the one with a deceitful tongue, how shall I pray to my Lady that the Lord may deliver me from the Dreadful Judgement? For I tremble constantly in my heart as I ponder the Dreadful Judgement, that I may be delivered from the eternal torments, from the ever-awake worm, from the outer darkness, and from the unquenchable flames. Have mercy on me, Your sinful servant (name), as You did on the Apostle Paul, whom You loved more than all others, and do not turn Your face away from me, the wretched one, on that Dreadful Day at which my soul trembles and the members of my body are filled with dread. Lord, deliver me from that dreadful hour, lest I be separated from Your mercy. I beseech the Holy Angels and Archangels, the prophets and martyrs, and all the saints to pray to God for my soul. Through your prayers, may the Lord turn His wrath away from me, a sinner. And you, Most Pure Virgin Mary, who have boldness before your Son on behalf of your servants, do not forget the labours of your servant (name). O Lord and Saviour, from my poor soul, I pray to You: deliver me from the pain of my sins and receive me into the joy of eternal life, in which the Most Holy Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is glorified, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen!
The Prayer of Saint Alexander of Svir to our Most Holy Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary
Tireless Protectress, Mother of God, to you I flee, I who am accursed, the one who is more sinful than all men. Hear the voice of my prayer and listen to my weeping and sighing. For my transgressions have gone higher than my head, and I, like a ship in the deep, am sinking into the sea of my sins. But you, my all-good and merciful Lady, do not despise me, the despairing one, who am perishing in sin. Have mercy on me, who repent of my evil deeds, and turn my accursed and straying soul back onto the right path. You, Mother of God, defend me and keep me under your protection now and always, for ever and ever. Amen!
SOURCE: https://doxologia.ro/acatistul-sfantului-alexandru-din-svir
Photo Gallery of St. Svir’s Relics:
