November 11, 2015 + Akathist to the Mother of God: Nurturer of Children

Victorious Leader and Good Nurturer of the Christian race, we Thy servants, delivered from evil, sing out grateful thanks to Thee. But as Thou hast invincible might deliver my children from all dangers that with tears I may cry to Thee: Raise my children (names), to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Ikos 1
Intercede with Thy Son and God, O most Holy One, that an angel from heaven be sent to my children, just as to Thee was sent a most mighty protector, the Archangel Gabriel; and vouchsafe me to cry to Thee thus:
Raise my children to be earthly angels.
Raise my children to be heavenly men.
Raise my children to be Thy servants.
Raise my children to cry out to Thee:
"Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord with Thee!"
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made
worthy of the Kingdom Of Heaven and make
them heirs of eternal blessings.

Kontakion 2
As thou seest my maternal entreaty for my children, begging help of Thee alone; do Thou take them under Thine honorable and compassionate protection, that we may cry to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 2
Send my children understanding, that they may know how to serve Thee well; fill their hearts with heavenly wisdom and grant that they may love it alone and scorn the things of the world. Do not hinder my lips from crying such things as these:
Raise my children to be wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.
Raise my children to have knowledge of good but not of sin.
Raise my children to be wise against the snares of the devil.
Raise my children to order their lives wisely, following the examples of the saints.
Raise my children, nourishing them with the milk of the hidden wisdom of God, that they may seek it all of their lives.
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

Compiled By Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes, Publication by St. Paisius Serbian Orthodox Convent, accessed http://www.serfes.org/orthodox/NuturerofChildren.htm on November 5th, 2015.

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Martyr Menas of Egypt

Troparion, Tone 4

Your holy martyrs, O Lord, through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. Through their intercessions, save our souls!

Kontakion, Tone 8

Today the church honors those who fought the good fight and died for their faith: The victorious Menas, the noble Victor and the ascetic Vincent. The church glorifies their divine struggle and cries out with love: Glory to You, O Christ, the lover of mankind.