Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “Adding the Mind”

First prayer
O Most Holy Virgin! You are the Bride of God the Father and the Mother of His Divine Son Jesus Christ! You are the Queen of Angels and the salvation of people, the accuser of sinners and the punisher of apostates. Have mercy on us too, who have gravely sinned and failed to fulfill the commandments of God, who have broken the vows of baptism and vows of monasticism and many others that we promised to fulfill. When the Holy Spirit retreated from King Saul, then fear and despondency attacked him and the darkness of despair and a joyless state of soul tormented him. Now, for our sins, we have all lost the grace of the Holy Spirit. The mind has become fussy with vanity of thoughts, oblivion about God has darkened our souls, and now all kinds of sadness, sorrow, illness, hatred, evil, enmity, vindictiveness, gloating, and other sins oppress the heart. And, having no joy and consolation, we call to You, Mother of our God Jesus Christ, and beseech Your Son to forgive us all our sins and send the Comforter Spirit to us, as He sent Him to the apostles, so that, comforted and enlightened by Him, we will sing a song of gratitude to You : Rejoice, Holy Mother of God, who has added wisdom to our salvation. Amen.

Second prayer
My most blessed Queen, my most holy Hope, friend to the orphans and the strange intercessor, help to the needy and protection of the embittered, behold my misfortune, behold my sorrow; I am overwhelmed by temptation everywhere, but there is no intercessor. You Yourself, help me as I am weak, nourish me as I am strange, guide me as I am lost, heal and save me as I am hopeless. There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, unless You, Lady, help us, we rely on You and boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed. We take refuge under Your mercy, Virgin Mother of God, do not despise our prayers in sorrows, but deliver us from troubles, O pure and blessed One. Amen.

Prayer three
Most Pure Mother of God, the House in which the Wisdom of God created for Himself, the Giver of spiritual gifts, raising our minds from the world to the worldly and leading everyone to the knowledge of reason! Receive prayerful singing from us, Thy unworthy servants, who bow with faith and tenderness before Thy most pure image. Pray to Thy Son and our God to grant to our rulers wisdom and strength, to judges truth and impartiality, to shepherds spiritual wisdom, zeal and vigilance for our souls, to mentors humility, to children obedience, to all of us the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of humility and meekness, spirit of purity and truth. And now, our All-Singing, All-Beloved Mother, give us an increase in intelligence, pacify, unite those who exist in enmity and division and lay down for them an insoluble bond of love, convert all those who have gone astray from foolishness to the light of the truth of Christ, instruct the fear of God, abstinence and hard work, the word of wisdom and Grant soulful knowledge to those who ask, cover us with eternal joy, the brightest Cherubim and the most honest Seraphim. We, seeing the glorious deeds and manifold wisdom of God in the world and our life, will remove ourselves from earthly vanities and unnecessary worldly cares, and will raise our minds and hearts to Heaven, as if by Your intercession and help glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for all in the Trinity We send our praises to the glorious God and Creator of all, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Even though we live in the 21st century - the century of technological progress, nanotechnology and other miracles, we are accustomed, if something unexpected happens, to go to church, light a candle in front of the image and pray to our heart's content. Tell the saints about your need-problem, cry to the Mother of God, and, as if with a renewed heart, calm down, wait for help, hoping that the Lord is merciful and will not abandon us. This tradition has developed since time immemorial. And different prayers were created by pious people, for all occasions. And the icons were painted for all human needs and sorrows.

History of the icon

Among Christian Orthodox shrines there are widely known images, glorified far beyond the borders of Russian lands. And there are also rare ones that are remembered in specific difficult situations. For example, the “Increasing Mind” icon. Another name for it sounds like “Uma the Giver.” This is one of the little-known images of the Virgin Mary, the celebration of which takes place on August 15 (28). The story of its appearance is extraordinary, serving as proof of the infinity of God’s mercy and love for people. The “Increasing Mind” icon was painted in the 17th century by a Moscow artist. This happened after the split of the Orthodox Church into the Old Believers and the New. Representatives of both directions proved in their books that they were right and denounced their opponents in every possible way. The artist, as an inquisitive and deeply religious person, wanted to understand how right both sides were. As a result, he read so many books that he lost his mind from stress.

The miraculous image

How does the “Increase in Mind” icon relate to this? Directly! In rare moments of enlightenment, the artist prayed with tears and lamentations to the Mother of God to restore his reason and help him to know the truth. And one day Mary appeared to him and ordered him to draw her in the form in which the painter saw her.

He set to work with zeal and perseverance. But, since cloudiness often came over him, he forgot the vision. And again he stood diligently in prayers and bows. The Mother of God came to him again and guided him. And so it was until the “Increasing Mind” icon was completed. The artist was already praying in front of her. And his mind returned to him, even brighter and sharper than before. And the icon itself is now in the city of Rybinsk, in the Transfiguration Cathedral. There is a list from it in one of the Moscow churches.

Description of the icon

The icon of the Mother of God “Addition of Mind” is quite unusual and goes beyond traditional Russian iconography. Her image is deeply symbolic, but difficult to understand for the uninitiated. The Mother and Child are covered in bell-shaped shrouds decorated with crosses. means sorrow and holiness.

The figures are located in front of the entrance to heaven, nearby there are angels with lamps on the clouds. This is the light of truth, truth, reason. And the buildings below represent the holy city of Jerusalem, only not earthly, but heavenly.

Holy help

How can the “Increase in Mind” icon help believers? Prayer is offered to her if it is necessary to bring children to their senses, so that they grow in obedience, so that they succeed in their studies. This is an image that can support students, as well as people in intellectual and creative professions. Various mental illnesses and dementia are also treated with its help. And also, if a person has recently been baptized, so that he quickly enters his new state, he should turn to this image more often.

Pray often, and may the Mother of God help you!

One day in a person's life there may come a moment when he realizes that he does not understand anything! I don’t know if this happens to everyone... I experience this often. No! Constantly. Where to look for admonition?

Lost, I wander with the children towards the convent. We arrive and go into the local icon shop, where I see in front of me a small book, of which there are many. I lingered on this one, because I saw it for the first time: Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of Her miraculous icon “Addition of Mind.” Indeed, the ways of the Lord are mysterious...

When trouble comes, deliverance is near. Perhaps not deliverance itself, but an indication of the path - where to follow next. If you open the Akathist, which I have already mentioned, you will read the amazing lines in anticipation of it: “... having grace.” Grace of what? “Gifts of wisdom, reason...” Here's your deliverance! Hope, because you already see the way.

Icon

Yes, this Akathist is read in front of the icon, which is called “Increasing the Mind.” Each icon of the Mother of God is unique, but many lists of them have much in common. For example, "Hodegetria". Some icons differ sharply. This icon is precisely one of these: the Mother of God is depicted with a baby in full growth, but it is as if she is placed in a bell (the phelonion with which the Mother of God and the Child Christ are swaddled) and around her there are bright angels who listen and serve Her.

Story

Modern researchers claim that the iconography of this image was originally formed only in the 16th century. However, only lists from the late 17th and 18th centuries have reached us. There is a legend that claims that the icon was painted by an unknown icon painter at a time when a schism occurred in the Russian Orthodox Church.

Tradition

According to legend, the icon painter who painted the icon in the 17th century suffered from loss of mind. He took up the work at the direction of the Mother of God Herself, to whom he prayed for healing from this illness. When the work was finished, he was healed. This is what legend says, and there is no reason to doubt it. August 28 is the day of remembrance of the shrine.

Even more ancient history

The even more ancient history of this icon is described in the Akathist itself, which says that it was written by the Apostle Luke with the blessing of the Mother of God Herself. Blessing, she says the words: “In this way, let my grace and strength be.” At the same time, the Akathist mentions a house in the Italian land. A house located in the city of Loreto in Nazareth, which this icon consecrates. And indeed there is such a city, but there the Mother of God is not depicted on an icon; Her image is given to us by a statue made of cedar wood. And the Apostle Luke actually painted the very first icon, which is the prototype of all subsequent icons.

Image

But let's talk about the image. Let's look at it a little more carefully:

The angels surrounding the Mother of God hold candles in their hands, and at Her feet are not just Angels, but Cherubim. They are also above Her head, which is covered with a royal crown. The head of the Child is also covered with a crown, in whose left hand is the orb. On the sides of the arch, which is located at the top of the icon, there are burning lamps. Some lists have the following inscription at the bottom:

Temples containing lists

This icon has other names: “Key of Reason”, “Giver of Mind”. The essence does not change from this. Different lists of it are found in different cities of Russia, including in Tutaev (Pokrovsky Church) and Moscow in the Church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God.

How to pray in front of an icon

Of course, there are certain canons in prayer. It was not for nothing that the holy fathers composed the rules, the Akathists wrote. There must be order and order in everything.

The Akathist before the icon of the Mother of God “Adding the Mind,” like any other Akathist, is supposed to be read while standing. Women - with their heads covered. Before you start reading, you should get acquainted with the order of reading the Akathists and only then read the Akathist itself.

How to pray, where

You can pray at home by purchasing an image of the Mother of God. Consistency is a very important point: set an hour and read, putting everything aside. This is especially important for serious illnesses or when children are sick. If possible, go to the Temple where there is this miraculous icon. Bow to Her, ask in the great silence of your heart, She will hear.

Invisible help

You can make a whole list of those ailments for which people pray in front of this miraculous icon:

• Memory loss,
• Madness
• Nervous breakdown,
• Phobias, etc.

First of all, it helps with mental illnesses. They pray before her in cases where admonition is needed. This icon is brought to Yaroslavl from Tutaev before the start of the school year, because it helps children in their studies.

That's not the main thing

Sometimes some people wonder why it helps some and not others. So a woman prayed once and so-and-so was healed. Another prays all her life, but there is no healing... Why? Because the Lord gives the Cross to every person. We are saved by the Cross, our psychology is such, otherwise we cannot be corrected. That is why, when we pray, we always add: “Thy will be done!”, for healing is not always useful to us.

Believe and it will be for you

One more point - everyone is given according to faith. Not by following traditions, not by performing rituals, but by faith. Here the demand is different for everyone: whoever is given more will be asked for more. Believe as much as you can! And it will be done for you according to your faith. The main thing is not to doubt. It will come true when there is no tea, at the most necessary moment.

Gratitude

This is what we always forget about and what we need so much. Topelius has a wonderful tale about how a husband and wife forgot to thank God. It's a sad story, they had to go through a lot for such a reckless act.

Do not forget! Always give thanks. Thank you for everything! For joy and... for sorrow.

Tell your fortune for today using the “Card of the Day” Tarot layout!

For correct fortune telling: focus on the subconscious and don’t think about anything for at least 1-2 minutes.

When you are ready, draw a card:

Among Orthodox icons of the Mother of God, the “Addition of the Mind” icon appears quite unusual. The peculiarity of this rare iconography is that the Virgin Mary and Christ are depicted swaddled together in liturgical vestments - a phelonion. The iconography of “Addition of Mind” is complex and somewhat unusual. How unusual is the history of this icon.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Russian researcher Andrei Alexandrovia Titov established that the prototype of the icon of the Mother of God “Addition of Mind” was the statue of Our Lady from the city of Loreto in Italy:

“In Loreto there is the Holy House or Holy Hut, where the image of Our Lady is placed. This image is made entirely of cedar wood, covered entirely with diamond rivieras and strings of pearls. The image of the Mother of God, in general, is similar to our “Addition of Mind” icon, which is of Western origin, only remade in the “Moscow manner”.

It is believed that the first images of Our Lady of Loreta appeared in Rus' after Russian pilgrims visited the Holy House in the 16th century. In May 1524, Pope Clement VII entered into correspondence with Grand Duke Vasily III, offering friendship and alliance. Vasily Ivanovich sent Dmitry Gerasimov and Eremey Trusov to the pope for negotiations. The Pope recommended that the Moscow ambassadors visit Loreto and examine the ancient temple. After this journey, a written testimony remained entitled “The Tale of the Church of the Holy Mother of God, in which Joachim and Anna were born.” This story spread throughout Rus' in numerous lists. Soon after this, the testimony of the image of Our Lady of Loreto was embodied not only in words, but also in colors. According to the research of A. A. Titov, after the great Moscow fire of 1574, an icon was painted from the image of the Loretskaya Mother of God in the “Moscow manner”, among other new images of Pskov and Novgorod icon painters summoned to Moscow by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, son of Vasily III A legend has been preserved that the icon with the title “Addition of the Mind” was painted by one icon painter after a vision of the Mother of God, according to Her instructions, in the 17th century.

This miraculous image was described in detail in his research by A. A. Titov. He recorded the ancient legend about the ancient miraculous icon from the words of the rector of the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross in the city of Romanov, Archpriest Vladimir Miroslavsky:

Not long after Patriarch Nikon, a pious man lived in Moscow. He read a lot of church books of Joseph's time, and then began to read books corrected by Patriarch Nikon... He began to think and reflect a lot: will he be right before God, and what books should he follow in order to be saved; He thought for a long time, but could not solve the problem and went crazy. When consciousness returned to him, he prayed to the Mother of God to restore his reason...

He was followed by a vision of the Mother of God. She commanded him to paint an image in the form in which She appeared to him, and to pray before him, and promised that if he fulfilled this, he would be healthy. That man was an icon painter. After the vision, when his consciousness returned to him and his mind became clearer, he began to paint the image of the Mother of God. But since the vision was brief, he forgot how to paint the image. Then he again prayed to the Mother of God and continued to write as God inspired him. Thus he painted an icon and called it “The Addition of the Mind of the Most Holy Theotokos.”

Apparently, the image of the Mother of God of Loreta, painted by Russian masters, absorbed the features of the icon revealed in Russia and borrowed its name “Addition of the Mind.” The unusual attire of the Mother of God and Child on the Moscow icon becomes clear - this is the dalmatic of the Loreta statue. The architectural details of the icon in the form of an arch in the upper part of the image and lamps are also explained - this is an image of a richly decorated niche in which the sculptural image of Our Lady of Loreta is placed. The memory of the prototype was preserved in the veneration in Rus' of the icon of the Mother of God with the name “Loretskaya”. The revered copy of the Loretskaya icon was located in the village of Pesochin, not far from Kharkov.

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Addition of Mind”, painted on canvas, is located in the Church of the Intercession in the city of Romanov-Borisoglebsk (now Tutaev). The literature of the 19th century indicates that in Rybinsk, in the Transfiguration Cathedral, there was also an icon of this name. The “Adding Mind” icon has the grace of bestowing wisdom, reason and good knowledge, helping to educate children, healing weaknesses of the mind and damage to the mind. Another miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin “Addition of the Mind” from the beginning of the 18th century is located in the Moscow Tikhvin Church in Alekseevsky.

Before the icon of the Mother of God “Addition of the mind” they pray for the enlightenment of the mind to the teaching of literacy, in the weak teaching of children, for successful teaching. And also about the illumination of the light of truth not only by children, not only by those who have embarked on the path of faith, but also by all people wandering along the crossroads of this world.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
before Her icon “Giver of Mind”, or “Addition of Mind”

The Most Pure Mother of God, the House in Which He created for Himself the Wisdom of God, the Giver of spiritual gifts, raising our minds from the world to the worldly and leading everyone to the knowledge of reason! Receive prayerful singing from us, Thy unworthy servants, who bow with faith and tenderness before Thy most pure image. Pray to Thy Son and our God to grant to our rulers wisdom and strength, to judges truth and impartiality, to shepherds spiritual wisdom, zeal and vigilance for our souls, to mentors humility, to children obedience, to all of us the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of humility and meekness, spirit of purity and truth. And now, our All-Singing Mother, give us an increase in intelligence, pacify, unite those who exist in enmity and division and establish an indestructible union of love for them, convert all those who have gone astray from foolishness to the light of the truth of Christ, instruct the fear of God, abstinence and hard work, the word of wisdom and soul-helping knowledge Grant to those who ask, overshadow us with eternal joy, the most honorable of the Cherubim and the most glorious of the Seraphim. We, seeing the wondrous deeds and manifold Wisdom of God in the world and our life, will remove ourselves from earthly vanity and unnecessary worldly cares, and lift our mind and heart to heaven, as if by Your intercession and help glory, praise, thanksgiving for everything in the Trinity to the glorified God and we send all to the Creator, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion, tone 3

By the will of the Heavenly Father, you conceived the Son of God, without the seed of an earthly father, before the creation of the world from the Father without a mother, you gave birth to the flesh, and pray to Him for the gift of intelligence for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion, tone 6

Born by the Spirit from the Heavenly Father, before the creation of the Lucifer, Born by You in the flesh without a father, without violating virginity, begged Him to help us defeat the envy of the fallen Lucifer. May we achieve complete victory over the devil, the world and the flesh, through Your prayers, O Bride of God.

Greatness

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Youth, and honor Your holy image, through which you bring healing to all who come with faith.

Prayer for help in studying and gaining intelligence

In order to succeed in the exam, you must not only pray, but first of all study well, try for a year, and know the subject. God helps those who work!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, bless me for my studies/exams, send Your holy help so that I can achieve what I desire: what is pleasing to You, O Lord, and what is useful for me. Amen.

Most gracious Lord, bestow upon us the grace of Your Holy Spirit, bestowing and strengthening our spiritual strength, so that, by listening to the teaching taught to us, we may grow to You, our Creator, for the glory, for the comfort of our parents, for the benefit of the Church and the Fatherland. Amen.

Our Lady of "Increase in Mind" Part of a four-part

icons. 1780s. Wood, tempera. Rybinsk state-

national historical and architectural art museum-

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary for study/exam

Receive prayerful singing from us, Thy unworthy servants, who bow with faith and tenderness before Thy most pure image. Pray to Thy Son and our God to grant to our rulers wisdom and strength, to judges truth and impartiality, to shepherds spiritual wisdom, zeal and vigilance for our souls, to mentors humility, to children obedience, to all of us the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of humility and meekness, spirit of purity and truth.

And now, our All-singing, All-beloved Mother, give us an increase in intelligence, pacify, unite those who exist in enmity and division and lay down for them an insoluble bond of love, convert all those who have gone astray from foolishness to the light of the truth of Christ, instruct the fear of God, abstinence and hard work, Grant the word of wisdom and helpful knowledge to those who ask, Autumn us with eternal joy, the brightest Cherubim and the most honest Seraphim. We, seeing the glorious deeds and manifold wisdom of God in the world and our life, will remove ourselves from earthly vanities and unnecessary worldly cares, and will raise our minds and hearts to Heaven, as if by Your intercession and help glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for all in the Trinity We send our praises to the glorious God and Creator of all, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel for study/exam

Holy angel of Christ, faithful servant of God, warrior of His heavenly army, I appeal to you in prayer, crossing myself with the holy cross. Send me heavenly grace to my spiritual strength and grant me meaning and understanding, so that I may carefully listen to the godly teaching that the teacher conveys to us, and my mind will grow enormously for the glory of the Lord, people and the Holy Orthodox Church for the benefit. I ask you this, angel of Christ. Amen.

Prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for studying / before the exam

O Saint Nicholas, People's Pleasant! We remember and honor Thy holy kindness, Do not forsake God’s (God’s) sinner’s servant (sinful) even now! Clear my mind of unnecessary thoughts, deign to bring peace to my soul, Grant me, be lenient, the intelligence for the upcoming exam! I believe that You are blessed and just, I have holy hope for Your salvation, Hear my prayer for the sake of our Lord. Amen.

Prayer to St. Matrona of Moscow before study/exam

Holy righteous mother Matrona! You are a helper to all people, help me too (say out loud what you need help with). Do not leave me with your help and intercession, pray to the Lord for the servant of God (name). In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer to all saints and ethereal heavenly powers for help in teaching

Holy God and rest in the saints, glorified by the thrice-holy voice in heaven from Angels, praised on earth by man in His saints: having given grace to each by Thy Holy Spirit according to the bestowal of Christ, and by that ordaining Thy holy Church to be Apostles, prophets, and evangelists , you are shepherds and teachers, preaching in their own words. You yourself, who act all in all, have accomplished many holiness in every generation and generation, having pleased you with various virtues, and leaving us with an image of your good deeds, in the joy that has passed, prepare, in it the temptations themselves were, and help us who are attacked. Remembering all these saints and praising their godly lives, I praise You Himself, who acted in them, and believing in Your goodness, the gift of being, I diligently pray to You, Holy of Holies, grant to me a sinner to follow their teaching, moreover, by Your all-effective grace, heavenly ones with them be worthy of glory, praising Your most holy name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

Prayer to St. Sergius of Radonezh before studying / exam

O venerable and God-bearing Father Sergius! Look at us (name) mercifully and, those who are devoted to the earth, lead us to the heights of heaven. Strengthen our cowardice and confirm us in faith, so that we undoubtedly hope to receive all the good things from the mercy of the Lord God through your prayers. By your intercession, ask for every gift that is useful to everyone and for everyone, and through your prayers that help us, grant us all, on the day of the Last Judgment, to be delivered from the last part, and the right hand of the country to be partakers of life and to hear the blessed voice of the Lord Christ: come, blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world . Amen.

Even an ascetic of virtues, like a true warrior of Christ God, you labored in great passion in the temporal life, and in singing, vigils and fasting, you became your disciple; In the same way, the Most Holy Spirit dwells in you, by whose action you are brightly adorned; but as you have boldness towards the Holy Trinity, remember the flock that you wisely gathered, and do not forget, as you promised, when you visited your children, Our Reverend Sergius.

Having been wounded by Christ's love, Reverend, and having followed that irrevocable desire, you hated all carnal pleasure, and like the sun of your fatherland you have risen, thus Christ has enriched you with the gift of miracles. Remember us, who honor your blessed memory, and we call to you: Rejoice, O wise Sergius.

Prayer to St. John of Kronstadt before studying/exam

O great servant of Christ, holy and righteous Father John of Kronstadt, wondrous shepherd, quick helper and merciful representative! Raising praise to the Triune God, you prayerfully cried out: “Your name is Love: do not reject me, who am erring. Your name is Strength: strengthen me, who is weak and falling. Your name is Light: enlighten my soul, darkened by worldly passions. Your name is Peace: pacify my restless soul. Your name is Mercy: do not cease to have mercy on me.” Now the all-Russian flock, grateful to Your intercession, prays to You: Christ-named and righteous servant of God! With your love, illumine us, sinners and weaklings, grant us the ability to bear worthy fruits of repentance and to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ without condemnation. With your power, strengthen our faith in us, support us in prayer, heal ailments and illnesses, deliver us from misfortunes, visible and invisible enemies. With the light of your face, incite the servants and heads of the altar of Christ to perform holy deeds of pastoral work, grant education to infants, instruct youth, support old age, illuminate the shrines of churches and holy abodes. Die, O most wonderful miracle worker and prophet, the peoples of our country, by the grace and gift of the Holy Spirit, deliver them from internecine strife; Collect the squandered, convert the deceived, and unite the Holy Ones of Your Catholic and Apostolic Church. By your grace, preserve marriage in peace and unanimity, grant prosperity and blessings to monastics in good deeds, give comfort to the faint-hearted, freedom for the suffering unclean spirits, have mercy in the needs and circumstances of those who exist, and guide us all on the path of salvation. In Christ living, our Father John, lead us to the unevening light of eternal life, so that with you we may be worthy of eternal bliss, praising and exalting God forever and ever. Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer After Study/Exam

We thank You, Creator, for You have made us worthy of Your grace to listen to the teaching. Bless our leaders, parents and teachers, who lead us to the knowledge of good, and give us strength and strength to continue this teaching. Amen.

Prayers for studying

Here are Orthodox prayers with which you can turn to the saints for help in your studies. You can ask both for yourself and for your children or grandchildren who are schoolchildren, college students or driving school students. You can also pray for help in successfully passing an exam or test with a good grade, and for passing your thesis.

• Saints
  • Lord God
  • Guardian Angel
• The Mother of God and her icons
  • The Mother of God in front of the “Increase in Mind” icon

• Saints
  • Sergius of Radonezh
  • Matrona of Moscow
  • John of Kronstadt
  • Spyridon of Trimifuntsky
• More prayers
  • Prayers for increased intelligence
  • Prayers for a test/exam
  • Prayer before training
  • Prayer after training
  • Prayers against laziness

Prayer to the Lord God for good studies

Most gracious Lord, bestow upon us the grace of Your Holy Spirit, bestowing and strengthening our spiritual strength,

so that, by listening to the teaching taught to us, we may grow to You, our Creator, for the glory, for our parents for consolation, for the benefit of the Church and the Fatherland.

Prayer for teaching to the Guardian Angel

Holy angel of Christ, faithful servant of God, warrior of His heavenly army, I appeal to you in prayer, crossing myself with the holy cross.

Send me heavenly grace to my spiritual strength and grant me meaning and understanding, so that I may sensitively listen to Godly teachings,

what the teacher conveys to us, and his mind has grown extremely for the glory of the Lord, for the benefit of people and the holy Orthodox Church.

I ask you this, angel of Christ.

Prayer to the Mother of God in front of the “Increase in Mind” icon for success in studies

O Most Holy Virgin!

You are the Bride of God the Father and the Mother of His Divine Son Jesus Christ!

You are the Queen of Angels and the salvation of people, the accuser of sinners and the punisher of apostates.

Have mercy on us too, who have gravely sinned and failed to fulfill the commandments of God, who have broken the vows of baptism and vows of monasticism and many others that we promised to fulfill.

When the Holy Spirit retreated from King Saul, then fear and despondency attacked him and the darkness of despair and a joyless state of soul tormented him.

Now, for our sins, we have all lost the grace of the Holy Spirit.

The mind has become fussy with vanity of thoughts, oblivion about God has darkened our souls, and now all kinds of sadness, sorrow, illness, hatred, evil, enmity, vindictiveness, gloating, and other sins oppress the heart.

And, having no joy and consolation, we call to You, Mother of our God Jesus Christ, and beg Your Son to forgive us all our sins and send the Comforter Spirit to us,

how He sent Him to the apostles, so that, comforted and enlightened by Him, we will sing a song of gratitude to You: Rejoice, Most Holy Theotokos, who has added to our minds towards salvation.

Second prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Addition of mind”

Most Pure Mother of God, the House in which the Wisdom of God created for Himself, the Giver of spiritual gifts, raising our minds from the world to the worldly and leading everyone to the knowledge of reason!

Receive prayerful singing from us, Thy unworthy servants, who bow with faith and tenderness before Thy most pure image.

Pray to Thy Son and our God to grant wisdom and strength to our rulers, to judges truth and impartiality, to shepherds spiritual wisdom, zeal and vigil for our souls,

a mentor is humility, a child is obedience, but for us all is the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of humility and meekness, the spirit of purity and truth.

And now, our All-Singing, All-Beloved Mother, give us an increase in intelligence, die, unite those who exist in enmity and division and give them an insoluble bond of love,

Convert all those who have gone astray from foolishness to the light of the truth of Christ, teach the fear of God, abstinence and hard work, grant the word of wisdom and soul-helping knowledge to those who ask, cover us with eternal joy, the brightest Cherubim and the most honest Seraphim.

We, seeing the glorious deeds and manifold wisdom of God in the world and our life, will remove ourselves from earthly vanities and unnecessary worldly cares, and raise our mind and heart to Heaven,

for through Your intercession and help we send glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for all in the Trinity to the glorified God and the Creator of all, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Prayer for academic success to Sergius of Radonezh

Oh, sacred head, reverend and God-bearing Father Sergius, through your prayer, and faith and love for God, and purity of heart,

while still on earth in the monastery of the Most Holy Trinity, you established your soul, and was granted angelic communion and the visitation of the Most Holy Theotokos, and received the gift of miraculous grace,

After your departure from the earthly, you drew closer to God and partook of the heavenly powers, but did not retreat from us in the spirit of your love, and your honest power, like a vessel of grace, full and overflowing, was left to us!

Having great boldness towards the All-Merciful Master, pray to save His servants, His grace existing in you, believing and flowing to you with love.

Ask us from our Greatly Gifted God every gift that is useful to everyone and everyone:

observance of the immaculate faith, establishment of our cities, pacification of peace, deliverance from famine and destruction, preservation from the invasion of foreigners, consolation for the afflicted, healing for the sick, restoration for the fallen, return to the path of truth and salvation for those who have gone astray,

strengthening for those who strive, prosperity and blessing for those who do good in good deeds, education for children, instruction for the young, admonition for the ignorant, intercession for orphans and widows, departing from this temporary life for the eternal, good preparation and guidance,

blessed repose for those who have departed, and grant all of us, through your prayers, to be delivered on the day of the Last Judgment, and to be partakers of the land, and to hear that blessed voice of the Lord Christ:

“Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Prayer for good studies to Matrona of Moscow

O blessed mother Matrono, hear and accept us now, sinners, praying to you, who in all your life has learned to receive and listen to all those who suffer and mourn, with faith and hope who resort to your intercession and help, giving quick help and miraculous healing to everyone;

May your mercy not fail now for us, unworthy, restless in this busy world and nowhere finding consolation and compassion in spiritual sorrows and help in physical illnesses:

heal our illnesses, deliver us from the temptations and torment of the devil, who passionately fights, help us to carry our everyday Cross, to bear all the hardships of life and not to lose the image of God in it,

preserve the Orthodox faith until the end of our days, have strong trust and hope in God and unfeigned love for our neighbors;

help us, after departing from this life, to achieve the Kingdom of Heaven with all those who please God, glorifying the mercy and goodness of the Heavenly Father, glorified in the Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.

Prayer of John of Kronstadt for help in studies

Oh, great servant of Christ, holy righteous Father John of Kronstadt, wondrous shepherd, quick helper and merciful representative!

Raising praise to the Triune God, you prayerfully cried out: “Your name is Love: do not reject me, who am erring;

Your name is Strength: strengthen me, weak and falling;

Your name is Light: enlighten my soul, darkened by worldly passions;

Your name is Peace: pacify my restless soul;

Your name is Mercy: do not cease to have mercy on me.”

Now, grateful to your intercession, the all-Russian flock prays to you: Christ-named and righteous servant of God!

With your love, illuminate us, sinners and weaklings, grant us the ability to bear worthy fruits of repentance and to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ without condemnation;

by your power strengthen our faith in us, support us in prayer, heal ailments and illnesses, deliver us from misfortunes, visible and invisible enemies;

with the light of your face, incite the servants and primates of the Altar of Christ to holy deeds of pastoral work, grant education to infants, instruct youth, support old age, illuminate the shrines of churches and holy monasteries;

die, wonder-worker and visionary of the most extraordinary peoples of our country, by the grace and gift of the Holy Spirit, deliver from internecine warfare, gather the scattered, convert the wicked and unite the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church;

By your grace, preserve marriage in peace and unanimity, grant prosperity and blessings to monastics in good deeds, give comfort to the faint-hearted, freedom to those suffering from unclean spirits, have mercy in the needs and circumstances of our lives, and guide us all on the path of salvation.

Living in Christ, Our Father John!

Lead us to the unevening light of eternal life, so that with you we may be worthy of eternal bliss, praising and exalting God forever and ever.

Prayer to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky for good luck in studies

O blessed Saint Spyridon!

Beg the mercy of God, the Lover of Mankind, not to judge us for our iniquities, but to deal with us according to His mercy.

Ask us, God's servants (names), from Christ and God for our peaceful, serene life, mental and physical health.

Deliver us from all spiritual and physical troubles, from all yearnings and the devil’s slander.

Remember us at the throne of the Almighty and beg the Lord to grant forgiveness of many of our sins, grant us a comfortable and peaceful life, and grant us a shameless and peaceful death and eternal bliss in the future,

may we continually send glory and thanksgiving to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Powerful prayer for students before the start of the school year

Studying is the most important activity of schoolchildren and students. Therefore, every year on September 1, on the holiday of Knowledge Day - the beginning of the school year, a prayer service is held in all Orthodox churches invoking God's blessing.

In addition to the prayer service, the Church performs a short prayer for the gift of the spirit of wisdom and reason to the disciples, for the children’s understanding of the teaching of the Word of God.

How to order a prayer service? To what saints is prayer offered for students?

Sergius of Radonezh

The saint helps to study with dignity, get good grades, and enroll in a university after graduating from school.

Bartholomew, that was the name of the future monk, had a hard time learning, even when reading the Holy Scriptures he made many mistakes. Understanding the difficulties, the boy with all his soul asked God to help him in his studies. And one day an angel appeared before him in the form of a monk, promising the boy that he would soon become the most educated child around.

Oh, sacred head, reverend and God-bearing Father Sergius, by your prayer, and by faith and love, even for God, and by the purity of your heart, you have established your soul on earth in the monastery of the Most Holy Trinity, and have been granted angelic communion and the visitation of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the gift received miraculous grace, but after your departure from earthly people, you came closer to God and partook of heavenly powers, but did not retreat from us in the spirit of your love, and your honest power, like a vessel of grace full and overflowing, was left to us! Having great boldness towards the All-Merciful Master , pray to save His servants, His grace existing in you, believing and flowing to You with love. Ask us from our Greatly Gifted God for every gift that is useful to everyone and everyone: the observance of the immaculate faith, the establishment of our cities, the pacification of peace, deliverance from famine and destruction, preservation from the invasion of foreigners, consolation to the afflicted, healing to those who are ill, restoration to those who have fallen, return to those who have gone astray, strengthening to those who strive, prosperity and blessing to those who do good in good deeds, education to the child, instruction to the young, admonition to the ignorant, intercession to orphans and widows, departing from this. temporary life for the eternal, a good preparation and parting words for those who have departed into blessed repose, and grant all of us, through your prayers, to be delivered on the day of the Last Judgment, and on the day of the Last Judgment, the right parts of the country will be shared in being and the blessed voice of the Lord Christ to hear: “Come, blessed of My Father, inherit what has been prepared to you is the kingdom from the foundation of the world.” Amen.

Parental prayer and personal prayers of students

Lord our God and Creator, who adorned us, people, with His image, taught Your chosen ones Your law, so that those who listen to it marvel, Who revealed to children the secrets of wisdom, Who bestowed upon Solomon and all who seek it - open the hearts, minds and lips of these Your servants (names) in order to understand the power of Thy law and successfully learn the useful teaching taught by it, for the glory of Thy Most Holy Name, for the benefit and structure of Thy Holy Church and the understanding of Thy good and perfect will.

Deliver them from all the snares of the enemy, keep them in the faith of Christ and purity throughout their lives, so that they may be strong in mind and in the fulfillment of Your commandments.

And so those who are taught will glorify Your Most Holy Name and will be heirs of Your Kingdom, for You are God, mighty in mercy and good in strength, and all glory, honor and worship is due to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. . Amen.

Most gracious Lord, bestow upon us the grace of Your Holy Spirit, bestowing and strengthening our spiritual strength, so that, by listening to the teaching taught to us, we may grow to You, our Creator, for the glory, and as our parent, for the consolation of the Church and the Fatherland for the benefit.

Icon of the Mother of God “Key of Understanding”

Before the icon they pray for the success of the youths, given their mental retardation.

Wisdom, the Teacher and Giver of meaning, the unwise, the Instructor and the Intercessor of the poor, Mother of Christ our God, strengthen, enlighten my heart, Lady, and add reason to Christ with earnest prayer. Give me the word, having given birth to the Father's Word, so that I may boldly ask Your Son for us. Amen.

Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God, sinners and humble ones, and let us fall down, calling in repentance from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having mercy on us: struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you are the only hope of the imams.

Prayer to the Prophet Nahum

One of the prophets who lived in the 7th century BC.

O most praiseworthy and wonderful prophet of God, Nahum! Hear us, sinners and indecent ones, who at this hour stand before your holy icon and diligently resort to your intercession. Pray for us, the Lover of Mankind, God, may He give us a spirit of repentance and contrition for our sins and, by His omnipotent grace, may He help us to leave the paths of wickedness, and may we excel in every endeavor, may He strengthen us in the fight against our passions and lusts; may the spirit of humility and meekness, the spirit of brotherly love and kindness, the spirit of patience and chastity, the spirit of zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of our neighbors, implant into our hearts. Abolish with your prayers, prophet, the evil customs of the world, especially the destructive and pernicious spirit of this age, infecting the Christian race with disrespect for the Divine Orthodox Faith, for the statutes of the Holy Church and for the commandments of the Lord, disrespect for parents and those in power, and casting people into the abyss of wickedness , corruption and destruction. Turn away from us, most wonderfully prophesied, by your intercession the righteous wrath of God, and deliver all the cities and towns of our kingdom from rainlessness and famine, from terrible storms and earthquakes, from deadly plagues and diseases, from the invasion of enemies and internecine warfare. Strengthen Orthodox people with your prayers, prosper them in all good deeds and undertakings for the establishment of peace and truth in their power. Help the All-Russian Christ-loving army in battles with our enemies. Ask, prophet of God, from the Lord for our shepherds holy zeal for God, heartfelt concern for the salvation of the flock, wisdom in teaching and management, piety and strength in temptation, ask the judges for impartiality and selflessness, righteousness and compassion for the offended, for all those in authority to care for their subordinates, mercy and justice, and to subordinates we command humility and obedience to authority and diligent fulfillment of their duties; Yes, having lived in peace and piety in this world, we will be worthy to partake of eternal blessings in the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom honor and worship are due, with His Beginning Father and the Most Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to Righteous John of Kronstadt

Little John had a hard time studying and he fervently prayed to God for help. One day a miracle happened and his mental talent was revealed, after which the boy successfully understood and accepted knowledge, memorized, read and wrote.

O great servant of Christ, holy and righteous Father John of Kronstadt, wondrous shepherd, quick helper and merciful representative! Raising praise to the Triune God, you prayerfully cried out: Your name is love: do not reject me, the erring one. Your name is Strength: strengthen me, weak and falling. Your name is Light: enlighten my soul, darkened by worldly passions. Your name is Peace: pacify my restless soul. Now, grateful to your intercession, the all-Russian flock prays to you: Christ-named and righteous servant of God! With your love, illumine us, sinners and weaklings, grant us the ability to bear worthy fruits of repentance and to partake of the Mysteries of Christ without condemnation. By your power, strengthen our faith in us, support us in prayer, heal ailments and illnesses, deliver us from misfortunes, enemies, visible and invisible. With the light of your face, incite the servants and primates of the Altar of Christ to holy deeds of pastoral work, grant education to an infant, instruct youth, support old age, illuminate the shrines of churches and holy abodes! Die, most miraculous and visionary, the peoples of our country, by the grace and gift of the Holy Spirit, deliver from internecine warfare, gather the scattered, seduced converts and unite the Holy Council and the Apostolic Church. By your grace, preserve marriage in peace and unanimity, grant prosperity and blessings to monastics in good deeds, give comfort to the faint-hearted, free those suffering from unclean spirits, have mercy in the needs and circumstances of our lives, and guide us on the path of salvation. In Christ living, our Father John, lead us to the Everlasting Light of eternal life, so that with you we may be worthy of eternal bliss, praising and exalting God forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to the Martyr Neophytos

They pray to the miracle worker Neophyte for enlightenment of the mind.

Thy martyr, Lord, Neophyte in his suffering received an imperishable crown from You, our God: having Thy strength, overthrow the tormentors, crush the demons of weak insolence. Save his souls with your prayers. Holy God and rest in the saints, glorified by the thrice-holy voice in heaven from Angels, praised on earth by man in His saints: having given grace to each by Thy Holy Spirit according to the bestowal of Christ, and by that ordaining Thy holy Church to be Apostles, prophets, and evangelists , you are shepherds and teachers, preaching in their own words. You yourself act all in all, many saints have been accomplished in every generation and generation, having pleased you with various virtues, and leaving us with an image of your good deeds, in the joy that has passed, prepare, in it the temptations themselves were, and help us who are attacked . Remembering all these saints and praising their godly lives, I praise You Himself, who acted in them, and believing in Your goodness, the gift of being, I diligently pray to You, Holy of Holies, grant to me a sinner to follow their teaching, moreover, by Your all-effective grace, heavenly ones with them be worthy of glory, praising Your most holy name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

Cyril and Methodius, Slovenian first teachers

The warrior Methodius, having experienced the vanity of life, became a monk and diligently fulfilled his monastic vows. His brother Konstantin successfully studied science and was an abstinent young man.

Soon he became a priest at one of the churches of Constantinople, defending Orthodoxy in disputes with heretics and infidels. Later he went to his brother on Mount Olympus, lived in fasting, spending all his time in prayer and reading books, then accepted monasticism with the name Kirill.

Soon the Slavic alphabet was revealed to the brothers from Above. Some time after a debilitating illness, Cyril reposed in the Lord, and Methodius was ordained a bishop.

About the glorification of the language of the Slovenian teachers and educators, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril. To you, as children of your father, enlightened by the light of your teachings and writings and instructed in the faith of Christ, we now earnestly resort to you and pray in contrition of our hearts. If also your covenant, as disobedient children, is not kept and about pleasing God, as if it were cleansed, careless, and from like-mindedness and love, even in words, as to brothers in faith and in the flesh, you bequeath goodness, having fallen away, even as it was ancient in life You do not turn away your ungrateful and unworthy ones, but you repay good for evil, so even now your prayers do not turn away your sinful and unworthy children, but, as you have great boldness towards the Lord, diligently pray to Him, that He may instruct and turn us to the path of salvation, while there is discord and the discord that arises among brothers of the same faith will be pacified, those who have fallen away will be brought back into unanimity, and will unite us all with unity of spirit and love in one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We know, we know, how much the prayer of a righteous person can do for the mercy of the Lord, even if it is offered for sinful people. Do not forsake us, your sad and unworthy children, whose sin for the sake of your flock, gathered by you, is divided by enmity and seduced by temptations from the Gentiles, has diminished, its verbal sheep are scattered, admired from mental wolves, give us zeal for Orthodoxy through your prayers, Let us warm ourselves with it, preserve the traditions of our fathers well, faithfully observe the statutes and customs of the Church, let us run away from all strange false teachings, and so, in a life pleasing to God on earth, we will be worthy of the life of paradise in heaven, and there together with you we will glorify the Lord of all, in the Trinity of the One God forever and ever. Amen.

Appearance of entering the temple

A parishioner's clothing should be modest and clean. The tone of the vestments should be chosen in calm colors; “screaming” clothes are not needed in church. Sometimes it is recommended to wear clothes of certain colors, for example: light vestments and a red scarf (for women) for Easter, dark clothes during Lent.

For confession and communion, ladies need to wear a skirt, but its length should not exceed the knee. Necklines and transparent fabric should be avoided on a jacket or blouse. Shoes should be comfortable, because you have to stand for a long time during services.

Men are not allowed to come in shorts, T-shirts, or tracksuits.

Behavior in the temple

In the House of God it is not accepted:

• having conversations distracts parishioners from prayer;
• praying and singing out loud, singing along with the choir - prevents the “neighbors” from following the progress of the service;
• light candles on a candlestick during the reading of the Gospel, the singing of the Cherubim and the Eucharistic canon at the liturgy.

You should buy candles, order prayer services and magpies, and purchase literature on the eve of the Divine service, and not during it.

During congregational prayer, when parishioners kneel, you need to take the same position.

You cannot keep your hands in your pockets or chew gum.

When you come to church with children, you should monitor their behavior and avoid self-indulgence. You cannot bring animals and birds to the temple.

It is inappropriate to leave church before the end of the service; this can only be done by sick people and those for whom early departure is too necessary.

Handling Icons

When entering the church hall, you should venerate the icon lying in the center on the lectern. Usually this is an icon of a holiday or saint whose memory is honored on this day.

First, you should make the sign of the cross on yourself twice, bow, kiss the icon and cross yourself again.

A parishioner should not kiss all the icons of the church and the iconostasis; only the bishop should do this.

Voluntary donations

The so-called sacrifice (or tithe) is brought by parishioners mainly with money, food for the priestly meal and any things that are necessary for the functioning of the church (wine, cloth, lamp oil, etc.).

It is customary among believers to make donations both to the temple and to alms to those in need on the porch.

The amount of donation depends on the income of the parishioner; there are no strict rules, specific amounts or price lists.

Every child needs care. He needs to instill a desire to learn and become aware of the customs and traditions of society. All families, especially Orthodox ones, should work on this topic, and of course, do not forget to thank the Lord for the help and bounty given.