Akathist to our Most Holy Lady before Her Icon,
The Felixstowe Mother of God.

Commemorated locally on 8/21 September

Kontakion 1

In times of old Thy sacred image was honoured in Suffolk's holy land, O Most Pure Maiden Mary and Mother of our God. Then in times of darkness and impiety, Thy holy shrine was taken across the sea. But now as Thou art honoured anew in the town of Thy servant Felix, do Thou intercede for us with Thy Son, Christ our Saviour, that we may cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Ikos 1

Angels and men alike marvelled at the grace of the Holy Spirit which came forth from Thy shrine to comfort and protect those oppressed in dark and wicked times. Again they marvelled as Thou wast taken across the stormy sea to a safe haven in a faraway land. And now we too marvel, for Thou art come again to our shores to comfort and protect us anew in these latter times. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, Blessing and Protection of the Isles!
Rejoice, Mother of the Church and Mother of Christians!
Rejoice, Bringer of the faithful to a safe haven!
Rejoice, Consoling of the humble!
Rejoice, Warming of the hearts of the forsaken!
Rejoice, Comforting of the sick and weary!
Rejoice, Grace-bearing Lady, forgiving our foolish ways!
Rejoice, Strengthening of the weak in faith!
Rejoice, Sweetness of the broken-hearted!
Rejoice, Guide of those who have lost the way!
Rejoice, Gatherer of the faithful in the last times!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost make us ready to enter into the Heavenly Jerusalem!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 2

O Lady of the Isles, we have known, we have continually beheld Thy gentle grace and consolation, we confess Thy mildheartedness and know Thy tender love, wherefore we cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

Who can understand the mind of God? Who can speak of His mysterious blessings? Who is privy to His counsel? For He raiseth up and He casteth down, He humbleth and He exalteth, He afflicteth and He healeth. Therefore He humbled us on account of our sins and cast down our land, taking away the ancient love of the Orthodox Faith. To whom then shall we flee in our sorrow, to whom then shall we stretch out our hands, if not unto Thee, O All Pure Lady? Wherefore with repentant heart we cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, Thou Who dost intercede with Thy Son for us!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost protect us from righteous wrath!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost cleanse us from our sins!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost intercede for the forgiveness of all!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost lighten the way with hope for us!
Rejoice, Thou Who through Thine Image dost comfort broken hearts!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost gather together the scattered faithful!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost cover all with Thy most Precious Veil!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost quell the divisions and tumults of those who have lost the Faith!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost set at naught the Councils of the ungodly!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost pilot those who sail through the sea of life!
Rejoice, Thou Who in Thy care dost forsake none!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 3

Mighty works have appeared through Thee and grace hath poured forth, O Most Blessed Virgin, moving all to cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

As Thou dost possess love beyond words, O Most Good Lady, Thou dost make the light of Thy grace to shine forth in the places of darkness and sorrow. Wherefore Thou hast not forsaken us as orphans, but through Thine Image Thou hast come to us who glorify Thy mildheartedness and cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, Sea of wonders!
Rejoice, Abyss of mercy!
Rejoice, Ever flowing wellspring of grace!
Rejoice, Unquenchable source of healing!
Rejoice, Warmth and comfort of the meek!
Rejoice, Thou Who hast surpassed the laws of nature!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost turn our gloom into bliss!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost change our tears and sorrow into joy and gladness!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost turn persecution into victory to the wonder of all!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost defend us who are oppressed!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost put to shame the hopes of our enemies!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost gladden the hearts of those who sing unto Thee!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 4

In times of trouble when temptations assail us, when sorrow and pain visit us, when patience and love fail us, we hasten to Thine Image and pouring forth our tears before Thee, we cry out from the depths of our hearts: Stretch out Thy God-bearing hands, speak unto us words of wisdom, lead us up out of evil, that with thankful hearts we may cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

In times of old the English people heard of Thy glory and hastened to Thee, crying aloud: How is it that this is granted unto us, that the Mother of the Lord is come even unto our home at the very ends of the earth? And beholding Thine Image, O Lady, they began to sing and cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, O Eden Who gavest birth to the Tree of Life!
Rejoice, O Garden of Paradise Who gavest birth to the Church!
Rejoice, O blossom Who makest fragrant all England!
Rejoice, O most pure Lily adorning the whole world!
Rejoice, O fruitful vine slaking the thirst of all!
Rejoice, O hallowed bough fruiting for all mankind!
Rejoice, O beloved shade of the Providence of God!
Rejoice, New Eve, giving birth to the salvation of Old Adam!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost cut off the roots of all our passions!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost sow a garden of virtue!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost plant prayer in our hearts!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost vouchsafe us to partake of Paradise!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 5

Like unto a star guided by God through the night sky, Thy precious Image hath returned unto us as of old. In times past the great and mighty bowed down before Thee, but now it is for us Thy humble and thankful servants to keep festival and cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

Beholding the plans of the ungodly to destroy Thine Image, Thou didst deign to voyage across the sea. Now, coming over the great ocean, in Orthodox wise Thou art restored to Thy sea-girt Dowry and the mystery of our story turneth full circle. Wherefore, beholding this blessing, with fear and love we cry out to Thee with faith:
Rejoice, invincible fortress of mercy, peace and love!

Rejoice, unshakeable stronghold of beauty, goodness and truth!
Rejoice, Thou Who hast put to shame the new Herods who have no love for Thee!
Rejoice, Thou Who hast rendered vain the schemings of the enemies of the Orthodox Faith!
Rejoice, Thou Who hast stopped the mouths of the blasphemers!
Rejoice, Thou Who hast restored Thine Image to the English land!
Rejoice, Thou Who hast preserved Thine Image undistorted!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost avert Thy gaze from the evil deeds of men!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost not turn away Thy most pure countenance from us sinners!
Rejoice, Thou Who hast escaped the wiles of wicked and foolish men!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost shine forth forgiveness to the repentant!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost open the doors of the Mercy of God to all!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 6

All through the English land the faithful proclaim Thy tender mercy, O Heavenly Queen! For since first Thou didst come unto Thine Isles, we have been saved again and again from the righteous chastisement merited by our manifold sins. Wherefore, as by Thy mercy Thou hast saved us in times past, so do Thou now save us once more, that in thanksgiving we may cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

Shine forth upon us the light of hope before the end, O Most Pure Mother of God, Who in Thy birthgiving hast proclaimed the splendour of salvation to the whole universe. Forsake us not to the hands of the Enemy forever, and forgive us the times of unfaithfulness when our forebears were led into error. May the English land once more become Mary's Dowry as of old, may the love of God flower herein in these latter times, may churches and monasteries be raised up once more. May the people, delivered from cruel errors, celebrate with joy and gladness, confessing the Holy Trinity in truth, knowing the Holy Spirit according to the words of the Saviour, and cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, Thou Who dost enlighten all human minds with Thy love!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst adopt mankind at the words of Thy Son!
Rejoice, Mother of God and Mother of Christians!
Rejoice, Thou Who takest away every sickness and healest every disease!
Rejoice, Unwaning comfort of those in captivity!
Rejoice, Unceasing consolation of those in bonds!
Rejoice, Unending protection of those persecuted for righteousness' sake!
Rejoice, Patience of those who suffer for the faith!
Rejoice, Crown of martyrs!
Rejoice, Retribution of tormentors!
Rejoice, Loosing of the bonds of those who are bound!
Rejoice, Freedom of those captive in body and soul!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 7

Wishing to admonish those who had forsaken Him, God the Righteous Judge permitted the English land to fall away from the Orthodox Faith. The nations of the West were in turmoil, error abounded for a thousand years, but now the end is not far. All who set their hope in Thee, O Lady of the Isles, swiftly flee unto Thee, awaiting the Saviour, Who hath given Thee to the faithful as a sure and steadfast hope before the end. Wherefore we cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

Terrible signs and dread wonders have been shown forth in these latter days, O Mother of God. The earth hath been filled with blood, kingdoms have fallen, locusts have filled the airs, fire hath fallen from the skies, yet the Orthodox Faith hath remained and the Church returneth to us who for long were orphaned. True worship of the Trinity, true confession of the Spirit and the times and the seasons of the Saints are kept, the Faith is preached unto all the ends of the earth. Gathering together the faithful remnant from Thine Island-Dowry and conquering our enemies, Thou art come anew to Eastern shores, O Queen of all. Beholding this new wonder, we all pray and with hearts and minds repenting we cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, O mighty leader Whose glorious light shineth from the East to the West!
Rejoice, Thou in Whom all peoples set their hope!
Rejoice, Pillar and confirmation of the Church!
Rejoice, Defence and protection of every shrine!
Rejoice, Victory Who doth vanquish the world!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost save those who had lost hope!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost hearken to heartfelt prayer!
Rejoice, Help of the helpless and Hope of the hopeless!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost trample Satan beneath our feet!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost protect us from enemies!
Rejoice, Thou Who through Thy presence dost strengthen us!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost shield us beneath Thy Protecting Veil!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 8

Thou hast revealed a wondrous sight, O Most Holy Virgin, for Thou dost return to English shores from across the sea. Nigh on one thousand years have passed and yet the memory of Thee hath not died in the Isles. May true veneration of Thee here be restored through Thy Son our Saviour Christ. Beholding the righting of age-old wrong, we receive Thy mysterious blessing with fear and trembling and in awe we cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

Thou dost enfold the whole world in the arms of Thy love, O Ever-Virgin Mary. Thy journey hath been from the East even unto the West, that all might bow down before Thee in godliness. Wherefore, as the Light from the East, shine down upon us, forget not Thy Dowry of old, forsake not Thine Isles and their sinful peoples, O Lady, that from the depths of repentant souls we may cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, O joy of all joys!
Rejoice, O unending cup of tender love!
Rejoice, O consolation of the latter times!
Rejoice, O sweet delight of the age to come!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost mercifully look down from heaven unto earth!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost forsake the joys of heaven for our salvation!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost enter with grace into the hearts of all!
Rejoice, Bringer of blessings and secret hopes!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost hallow our hearts with Thine Image!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost make the homes of the poor more splendid than royal palaces!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost make glorious the churches of God with thy lowly countenance!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost dwell in the homes and hearts of all who honour Thee!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 9

People of every age and position hasten unto Thee, O Bride of God, Whose hands once held God but now hold us instead. Thou dost enlighten and console all, warming the broken-hearted in Thy God-bearing hands, O Queen of Heaven. Wherefore, making glad, we cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

The eloquence of men is thwarted, their flowing streams of words run dry, for they are powerless to find words to praise Thee, O Virgin Mary, for no mouth can praise Thee as is meet. Yet, should we altogether fall silent, the very stones of the earth will cry out in praise of Thee. Wherefore, unworthy though we are, our earthen lips cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, Inspired sayings of the Apostles!
Rejoice, Heartfelt songs of the Martyrs!
Rejoice, Words of fire uttered by the Prophets!
Rejoice, Golden speech of the Fathers of the Church!
Rejoice, Bold confession of righteous Priests of Christ!
Rejoice, Mystic strength of unceasing prayer of the Saints!
Rejoice, Reward of those who struggle against the passions!
Rejoice, Indomitable protection of the persecuted!
Rejoice, Rest of the aged and guide of the young!
Rejoice, Glory of mothers and boast of maidens!
Rejoice, O Daughter of Adam and Mother of our God!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost shine with the glory of which words cannot speak!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 10

O Most Holy Mother of God, we call upon Thee again, pray that the world may yet be saved. The plots and snares of the Evil One are spread over all the face of the earth, the nations rage and storms of worldly temptations rise up against the Church of God, though She will prevail even against the gates of Hell. Wherefore, as of old in Cana of Galilee, only say a word to Thy Son and our God, that He may change the water of temptation and human sorrow into the wine of repentance and divine gladness, that we may unceasingly cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

O Most Holy Bearer of God, be Thou for us an invincible rampart against the legions of enemies, seen and unseen, who so sorely persecute us. Fight staunchly and unfailingly for us, who cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, Thou Who dost stretch out Thy God-bearing hands to us!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost trample the spirits of malice beneath our feet!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost put to shame the plans of the demons, carried out by deluded men!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost make evil to flee away at the thought of God!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost drive the illusions of despair from us!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost still the surging sea of life!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost command the storms of temptation to cease!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost pilot the tempest-tossed!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost deliver us from the depths of sorrow!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost stretch forth Thy hands to those who perish!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost set our feet upon the path of salvation!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost strengthen our hearts for battle!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 11

As Thy Son accepted the widow's mite, do Thou also accept our song, O All-Holy Lady, and grant that we may ever offer up our prayers unto Thee, Who dost guide our life through the shadows of this world. Grant us forgiveness of our sins, that we may enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

Stretch out Thy Protecting Veil over all the earth, O Most Good Lady. Shine forth like the full moon in the dark night of ungodliness and blasphemy. Enlighten our Isles once more with the splendour of Thy purity, that our voices may rise up once more and cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, Thou Who art in truth clothed with the Sun!
Rejoice, Thou Who art crowned with the Stars!
Rejoice, Thou Who art adorned with raiment woven with gold!
Rejoice, Beauty resplendent beyond all speech to tell!
Rejoice, Brightness fairer than the morning star!
Rejoice, Warmth dearer than the Sun!
Rejoice, Ray of hope from the age to come!
Rejoice, Unfading light of angels and men!
Rejoice, Sunrise driving away the demon hordes of the night!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost enlighten the darkness of unbelief!
Rejoice, Thou Who dost clothe with the armour of light!
Rejoice, Thou Who art scented with the fragrance of virtue!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 12

Grace upon grace we have received through Thee, O Most Pure Maiden Mary. Those who call upon Thee with faith go not empty away, for all receive the gift of God according unto their need and are crowned with joy. Wherefore we cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

We hymn Thee, we magnify Thee, we bow down before Thee, O Most Pure Lady. Unable to praise Thee as is meet, we fall down before Thy precious Image and in repentance we cry out to Thee with faith:

Rejoice, Sweet dawn of our souls!
Rejoice, Bright daybreak of our hearts!
Rejoice, Blessed morning of our lives!
Rejoice, Height beyond our understanding!
Rejoice, Unfading glory!
Rejoice, Unceasing bliss!
Rejoice, Unending goodness!
Rejoice, Gladness beyond words!
Rejoice, Thou Who alone art truly Blessed!
Rejoice, Thou Who art exalted above all Creation!
Rejoice, Thou Who art with the faithful at the hour of death!
Rejoice, Thou Who even at the Dread Judgement dost save those who hope in Thee!
Rejoice, O Lady, Who dost ever comfort and protect those who pray unto Thee with faith!

Kontakion 13

O Lady praised by all, Mother of the Church and all Christians, emulating Thy Son and our Saviour in Thy tender mercy, Thou dost cry unto us: Fear not, little flock! I am with you and none is against you! Wherefore, falling down before Thee with love and giving thanks with tears, we cry out to Thee with faith: Alleluia! (Thrice).

And again Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1

Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God

O Most Holy Maiden Mary and Mother of our God, Lady of the Isles, our sure hope and calm haven, blessing of our lives, joy of those who grieve, healing of the sick, wisdom of the darkened, reward of the wronged, Thou seest our misfortune, Thou seest our sorrow, help us for we are weak, guide us for we wander, Thou knowest our sins, may they be forgiven as the Lord deigneth. Deliver our land from its errors, restore the Orthodox Faith to Thine Isles and Thy peoples, make us once more to be Thy Dowry. Save and preserve Thy servants (NN) and all of us here present who pray unto Thee with tears. Comfort and protect us beneath Thy Precious Veil, for we have none other than Thee, O Bearer of God, to comfort and protect us unto the ages of ages. Amen.