The Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God with Seven Arrows

For all Akathists published on our site, click here. This Akathist was translated by Maxim, who kindly asks all Orthodox Christians to keep him in their prayers for his repentance. Original source at the bottom. Explore more prayer: Reconciliation and Forgiveness, Akathists to New Testament Saints, Relatives of Christ

Feast Day: 13 August

The Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God with Seven Arrows can be read at any time to reconcile those who are at odds and to restore tranquility and peace within the family or among friends. The Icon of the Mother of God with Seven Arrows (swords) is known for miracles involving miraculous healings, childbirth, and the reconciliation of parents with their children and of those who are at odds with one another.

Troparion from the Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God with Seven Arrows

Quell the evil impulses in our hearts, Mother of God; extinguish the arrows of hatred and drive away all sorrow from our souls. Gazing upon your image, we humble ourselves before your suffering, and we kiss your holy robe. The enemy’s arrows aimed at us fill us with fear. Do not let us, O Mother of Mercy, perish with hardened hearts—neither we nor our fellow human beings—for you are the tamer of evil hearts.

Kontakion 1

To the chosen Virgin Mary, the most exalted of all the daughters of the earth, the Mother of the Son of God whom He gave for the salvation of the world, we humbly cry out: look upon our much-troubled lives; remember the pains and sufferings you endured, as the One who is of the same nature as we are, and deal with us according to your mercy, so that we may cry out to you: Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Ikos 1

The angel who announced to the shepherds of Bethlehem the Birth of the Savior of the world, together with the Heavenly Powers, sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” But You, O Mother, had nowhere to lay Your head, and You gave birth to Your Son in a stable, swaddling Him in cloths and laying Him in a manger. Knowing the sorrow of Your soul, we sing to You thus:

Rejoice, for You comforted Your Son with the voice of Your lips;

Rejoice, for You swaddled the eternal Infant in swaddling clothes;

Rejoice, for You nourished the One who sustains the world with milk;

Rejoice, for the stable of the animals appeared as a Paradise;

Rejoice, for You, the Throne of the Cherubim, appeared on earth;

Rejoice, for in childbirth and after childbirth, You remained a Virgin;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 2

Seeing the Divine Infant lying in the manger, the shepherds came to worship Him, proclaiming what the Angel had said about Him. And Mary treasured these words in her heart. And after eight days, the Infant was named Jesus as a human being, according to the Law. Seeing your humility, O Mother and Virgin, we sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

Having steadfast faith in God and fulfilling the Law, on the fortieth day His parents brought Jesus to the Temple and presented Him before the Lord, together with the offerings of purification, as was written in the Law; but we sing thus:

Rejoice, for you brought the Creator of the world to the Temple at once;

Rejoice, for you were joyfully welcomed by the righteous Simeon;

Rejoice, O Pure One, blessed among women;

Rejoice, for you humbly bore your Cross, adorned with suffering;

Rejoice, for you have always obeyed the Will of God;

Rejoice, for you have shown us an example of patience and humility;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 3

You were strengthened by power from on high, O Mother of the Lord, when you heard the words of the righteous Simeon: “This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Then great sorrow pierced the heart of the Mother of God, who cried out in pain to Him on high: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

Plotting to destroy the Infant, Herod sent to kill all the children of Bethlehem, two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. But following God’s command given to Joseph through an angel in a dream, the entire holy family fled to Egypt and remained there for seven years until Herod’s death. Therefore, we sing to you thus:

Rejoice, for you endured the hardships of the journey with love;

Rejoice, for the idols have fallen, vanquished by the Power of your Son;

Rejoice, for you spent years among the unbelievers;

Rejoice, for from Egypt you came to Nazareth with the Child and Joseph;

Rejoice, for here with Joseph the carpenter, you lived in poverty;

Rejoice, for throughout your life you labored with great integrity;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 4

A storm of sorrow overwhelmed the Mother of God as she returned from Jerusalem and could not find the Child Jesus along the way. They returned and found Him three days later, sitting in the Temple, listening to and asking questions of the scribes. So the Mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Behold, Your father and I have been searching for You in great distress.” And He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” And His Mother, treasuring these words in her heart, sang to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

The Lord Jesus traveled throughout all of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, healing every disease and every infirmity among the people; and news about Him spread throughout all of Syria, so that they brought to Him all who were sick, demon-possessed, and infirm, and He healed them. And you, O Mother, seeing the prophecy fulfilled, knew with sorrow that the time was drawing near when your Son would be offered as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Therefore, we bless you, O Mother, and we sing to you:

Rejoice, for you gave your Son to serve the people;

Rejoice, for with a contrite heart you offered yourself to God;

Rejoice, for you saved the world from the flood of sins;

Rejoice, for you crushed the head of the ancient serpent;

Rejoice, for you offered yourself as a sacrifice to God;

Rejoice, for you were the sorrowful Mother of the Lord Jesus;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 5

As He preached the Kingdom of God, Jesus rebuked the pride of the Pharisees, who considered themselves righteous; and as they listened to His parables, they realized He was speaking about them and sought to arrest Him, yet they feared the people, who regarded Him as a Prophet. Seeing this, the Mother of God was grieved for her beloved Son, fearing they might kill Him, and cried out in sorrow: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

When some of the Jews saw the raising of Lazarus, they went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said, “It is better for us that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish,” and from then on they sought a way to kill Him. But we, O Most Pure One, sing to you:

Rejoice, for you have given birth to the Savior of the whole world;

Rejoice, Mother of the Lord, for you understand our sufferings;

Rejoice, Blessed Queen of Heaven;

Rejoice, for you pray for the whole world;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 6

Judas—one of the Twelve, first an apostle and then a betrayer—went to the chief priests to betray his Teacher. And when they heard this, they rejoiced and promised him silver as payment. But you, Mother of God, grieving for your Beloved Son, cried out bitterly to Him on high: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

While sitting at the Last Supper with His disciples, the Lord Christ washed their feet, setting an example of humility, and said to them, “One of you will betray Me.” But we, O Mother of God, suffering together with Your Son, sing to You:

Rejoice, O Mother of the Lord, whose heart is tormented by sorrow;

Rejoice, for You have endured all things in this valley full of sighs;

Rejoice, for in prayer You have found a safe refuge;

Rejoice, for to the afflicted You have always been a source of joy;

Rejoice, the solace of our sorrows;

Rejoice, for You deliver us from sin;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who transforms our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 7

Wishing to show His love for mankind and the abundance of His mercy, the Lord Christ, at the Last Supper, as He shared His Holy Body and His Most Pure Blood with His disciples, commanded them to do this always in His Name. And they, with joy, sang to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

The Lord revealed a new wonder to His disciples through the promise that He would send them His Holy Spirit and Comforter, Who proceeds from the Father and Who will bear witness to Him and teach them all truth. And we, with the Holy Spirit, sing to You:

Rejoice, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit;

Rejoice, All-Luminous and Most Beautiful Palace;

Rejoice, wondrous Chamber of God the Word;

Rejoice, for you have brought down from heaven the Holy Pearl;

Rejoice, for through your birth you have opened the gates of Heaven to us;

Rejoice, for as a sign of heavenly mercy, you have revealed yourself to us;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who transforms our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 8

It is a strange and painful thing that Judas betrayed his Teacher with a kiss. The soldiers and their commander arrested Jesus, bound Him, and took Him first to the high priest Annas, then to Caiaphas. The Mother of the Lord awaited the verdict for her Beloved Son, singing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

All the Jews brought Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate in the praetorium, accusing Him of being an evildoer. Pilate examined Him and told them that he had found no fault in Him. But we sing to You:

Rejoice, for your heart was torn with sorrow;

Rejoice, for you shed tears for your Son;

Rejoice, for you endured all suffering without complaint;

Rejoice, handmaid of the Lord, who weeps and mourns;

Rejoice, Queen of the world, who receives our prayers;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 9

All nations bless you, you who are more honorable than the Cherubim and incomparably more exalted than the Seraphim, Mistress and Mother of our Redeemer; through your birth you have brought joy to the whole world. But later, deep sorrow overwhelmed you, as you saw your Beloved Son mocked, subjected to torture, and delivered to death. We, however, offer you a hymn of humility, O Most Pure One, singing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

Even the most renowned orators cannot describe, O Savior, the sufferings You endured when the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and placed it upon Your head, clothing You in a scarlet robe. We, knowing Your suffering and that of Your most holy Mother, sing to her thus:

Rejoice, for you saw your Son, spat upon and beaten;

Rejoice, for you saw Him whom you nursed at your breast, despised;

Rejoice, for you saw Him in a red robe and crowned with thorns;

Rejoice, for you suffered with Him;

Rejoice, for you saw Him forsaken by His disciples;

Rejoice, for you saw Him condemned by lawless judges;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 10

Wishing to spare Jesus, Pilate said to the Jewish people: “It is your custom that I release a prisoner for you at Passover. Do you want me to release the King of the Jews?” Then they all cried out, “Not Him, but Barabbas!” Praising the mercy of God, who gave His Only Son to die on the Cross to save us from eternal death, we sing to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

Be our wall and refuge, O Lady, for us who are worn down by sickness and sorrow, for You Yourself suffered, hearing the Jews cry out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Now hear us also, we who sing to You:

Rejoice, Mother of Mercy, who has wiped away our tears of sorrow;

Rejoice, swift salvation of fallen sinners;

Rejoice, unashamed intercessor of Christians;

Rejoice, for You immediately deliver us from evil passions;

Rejoice, for You bestow joy upon the brokenhearted;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who transforms our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 11

We offer a hymn of humility to the Savior of the world, Who willingly endured suffering and death on the cross. The soldiers led Him to Golgotha and crucified Him. Standing near the Cross of Jesus were His Mother and the Myrrh-bearing Women. So, when Jesus saw His Mother and the disciple whom He loved, He said to His Mother, “Woman, behold your son!”; then to His disciple, “Behold your Mother!” and from that hour the disciple took her into his home. And you, Mother of the Lord, seeing your Son dying on the Cross, sang with bitterness to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

“My Son and Eternal God, Creator of all creation, how do you endure the torments on the Cross?” said the Pure Virgin, weeping. Through Your wondrous birth, I was happier than all other mothers, but woe is me, for now that I see You crucified, a sword pierces my heart. Remembering Your sorrow, we sing these words with tears:

Rejoice, for you had no part in joy or gladness;

Rejoice, you who willingly watched your Son suffer on the Cross;

Rejoice, for you saw your beloved Son crucified;

Rejoice, Dear Lamb, who saw the slain Lamb;

Rejoice, for you saw the Healer of soul and body wounded;

Rejoice, for you beheld your Son risen from the dead;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 12

“O my sweet Light, my hope and my life, O Good Lord, as You breathe Your last on the Cross”—the Virgin, sighing, said: “Hurry, Joseph, to Pilate and ask for the Body of your Teacher!” And seeing You naked and without glory, she said: “My Son, a sword has pierced my soul, as the righteous Simeon foretold.” And we, suffering together with Your Mother, O Merciful Savior, You who gave Yourself up on the Cross, tearing up the record of our sins, we pray to You: grant us the grace to sing to You with love: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

Singing of Your mercy, O Lover of mankind, I bow down before Your compassion, O Lord. For, desiring to save Your creation, You accepted death—so said the Most Pure One. But through Your Resurrection, O Savior, have mercy also on us who sing:

Rejoice, for you saw the Glorious Lord lying dead;

Rejoice, for you kissed the Body of your sleeping Son;

Rejoice, for you laid the sweet Light, the Lord, in the tomb;

Rejoice, for you buried your Son with such sorrow;

Rejoice, for you wrapped His holy Body in a shroud;

Rejoice, for the sword of sorrow has pierced your heart;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 13

O Most Praised Mother, you who were consumed by bitterness as you stood beside the Cross of your Son and your God, hear our sighs and our weeping, and deliver all of us who hope in Your unspeakable mercy from sorrow, pain, and eternal death, and we sing to God: Alleluia!

This Kontakion is recited three times.

Ikos 1

Rejoice, for You comforted Your Son with the voice of Your lips;

Rejoice, for You swaddled the eternal Infant in swaddling clothes;

Rejoice, for You nourished the One who sustains the world with milk;

Rejoice, for the stable of the animals appeared as a Paradise;

Rejoice, for You, the Throne of the Cherubim, appeared on earth;

Rejoice, for in childbirth and after childbirth, You remained a Virgin;

Rejoice, long-suffering Mother of God, who turns our sorrow into joy!

Kontakion 1

Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God

O most sorrowful Mother of God, who are exalted above all the daughters of the nations because of your purity and the multitude of sufferings you endured on earth, accept our prayers and our sighs, and keep us under the shelter of your mercy, for we have no other refuge or warm intercession besides you. Since you have boldness before the One born of you, help us and have mercy on us through your prayers, that we may be delivered from all the arrows of hatred, enmity, and division among us! Calm the warring hearts and restore brotherly love within them, so that, loving one another, we may live our lives in peace and harmony, and thus all reach the Kingdom of Heaven, where, together with all the Saints, we will sing Glory to the One God in the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen!

The Second Prayer to the Mother of God

O Long-Suffering Mother of God, who, because of your purity and the countless sufferings you endured on earth, are exalted above all the daughters of the earth, receive our sorrowful sighs and keep us under the shelter of your mercy, for we have no other refuge or warm comfort besides you; but you, having boldness before Him who was born of you, help us and save us through your prayers, so that, without hindrance, we may enter the Kingdom of Heaven, where, together with all the Saints, we will sing to the Triune God, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen!

Then the dismissal is given: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Source: https://pravila.ro/acatistul-la-icoana-maicii-domnului-cu-sapte-sageti/