Akathist to Holy Great Martyr Barbara

Kontakion 1

O holy and all-praised great martyr, in that we have been delivered by you from diverse evils and woes, we your supplicants send up hymns of thanksgiving and praise to you, the bride of Christ, who was chosen by God from among a family of idolaters and summoned to the holy nation, the people of renewal. As you have boldness before the Lord, free us from all tribulations that we may cry to you with joy:

Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Ikos 1

Having preserved your precious and most beloved purity for the angels, O honored Barbara, you were accounted worthy to dwell with the angels. And when in heaven you chant with them the hymn to God in Trinity. Hear us, who chant these hymns of praise to you on earth:

Rejoice, O maiden, who was foreordained by God the Father to be like His Son in the manner of your suffering!
Rejoice, you, by the Son of God, Who is Light from Light, were called out of darkness into the wondrous light of faith and His grace.
Rejoice, for in body and spirit, you yourself are holy to the Holy Spirit Who called you!
Rejoice, for you preserved yourself undefiled by pollution of flesh and spirit!
Rejoice, you as a pure virgin were betrothed to Christ, the Bridegroom, Who was begotten of the Virgin!
Rejoice, you did not wish to know an earthly spouse more than One from heaven!
Rejoice, lily of virginity who grew among the thorns of idolatry below!
Rejoice, flower of purity who blossoms in unfading glory above!
Rejoice, you delight in the fragrance of Christ in the garden of heaven!
Rejoice, you are consoled by the sight of Him Who is more comely than all the children of men!
Rejoice, you while on earth whitened your garments in the blood of the Lamb!
Rejoice, you are in heaven and you follow after the Lamb of God in the choir of virgins!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 2

Finding herself on the lofty tower built by her father, the holy Barbara thought herself uplifted to heaven by the hand of God. Wherefore, appointing ascents of understanding in her heart, she mounted from darkness to light and from false idols to the true God, chanting to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

Seeking to understand the incomprehensible knowledge of the sole Author of all creation, the holy virgin Barbara conversed with herself in mind, saying: “Tell me, how was it possible for dark graven images to create the wondrous lights of the heavens?” And through the Psalmist He said to her: “All the gods of the heathen are demons, but there is one Lord and God Who has created the heavens and all of their luminaries.” Wherefore, marveling at your great understanding, O wise Virgin, we say:

Rejoice, you were more knowledgeable than the idolatrous elders!
Rejoice, you were wiser than the wise of this world!
Rejoice, for God revealed to you the unknown and secret things of His wisdom!
Rejoice, for God the Word Himself taught you true theology!
Rejoice, you with mind of Christ surpassed all astrologers!
Rejoice, you observed the vault of heaven more clearly than they!
Rejoice, for you perceived the Creator Himself in His creation as in a mirror!
Rejoice, for you perceived the uncreated Light in created luminaries!
Rejoice, you now behold the light of the countenance of God without a glass!
Rejoice, you are ineffably gladdened by that light!
Rejoice, noetic star through whose splendor the countenance of God, like the sun, is radiantly revealed to us!
Rejoice, noetic moon whereby the night of error is rendered bright as the day!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 3

The power of the Most High gave to the holy Barbara, as of old to the prophet Ezekiel, an adamantine countenance strong in the face of all the idolaters, that she might not fear their bestial presence, nor be daunted by their cruel threats. Wherefore, the virgin of manly wisdom cried out with boldness: “I worship the Trinity, the One Godhead; and worshipping Him with faith, I chant aloud: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

Possessed of wisdom imparted to her from on high, the holy Barbara hastened to those who were constructing her father’s bath- house, and having revealed to them the mystery of the Holy Trinity, she ordered them to fashion three windows therein. “For if,” she said, “the idolaters have mouths but do not speak of the glory of the true God, then let the stone walls of this bath-house with their three windows bear witness, as with three mouths, that there is but one God Who is worshiped and glorified by all creation in the Holy Trinity.” Wherefore, O holy Barbara, for such reasoning accept this praise:

Rejoice, you, in the three-windowed bath-house formed an image of the laver of holy baptism in the name of the all-holy Trinity!
Rejoice, you washed yourself in the font of water and the Spirit, and also of your blood!
Rejoice, for by the three windows of your father’s bath- house you dispelled the darkness of polytheism, which is opposed to the Holy Trinity!
Rejoice, for by the three windows you clearly shone forth the light of the Trinity!
Rejoice, for through those three windows the Sun of righteousness, who shone forth from the tomb on the third day, looked down upon you!
Rejoice, for through them the dawn of the salvation of the Trinity shone upon you!
Rejoice, you have your heart open to the one God in Trinity!
Rejoice, you shut fast your senses against the assault of the three foes—the flesh, the world, and the devil!
Rejoice, for you fashioned in your soul three noetic windows—faith, hope, and love!
Rejoice, for through these three windows you beheld the Church, the Body of Christ, which was raised up in three days, in the divinity of the Trinity!
Rejoice, for the heavens were opened to you by the three hierarchies of angels!
Rejoice, for the mansions of heaven joyously received you!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 4

The tempest of your father’s great wrath, breathing forth threats and murder, smote the temple of your soul, O holy Barbara, yet was unable to shake it; for it was founded on the steadfast rock of the faith of Christ, whereon, O wise virgin, you stood immovably, chanting unto Christ Jesus, Who strengthened you, the hymn: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

Hearing from you, his wise daughter, unheard-of words concerning the Holy Trinity, Dioscorus, your father stopped his ears like a deaf asp, and, like a serpent with venomous fangs, he assailed you with a sword to slay you; but you, O Barbara, Bride of Christ, imitating Jesus your Bridegroom, who fled before the sword of Herod, fled the sword of Dioscorus, desiring to turn his heart from bestial rage to fatherly love. And we honor your flight with these words:

Rejoice, O blessed one, who was driven from your earthly home for righteousness’ sake!
Rejoice, you who are rich in God, yet was deprived of the riches of your father for Christ’s sake!
Rejoice, for of such poverty as yours is the kingdom of heaven!
Rejoice, for a treasury of everlasting blessings has been prepared for you!
Rejoice, reason-endowed ewe-lamb, who fled from the evil and tyrannical wolf to Christ the Good Shepherd!
Rejoice, you who entered into the fold of His righteous sheep that stand at His right hand!
Rejoice, guileless dove who escaped an earthly raven by flying to the protection of the heavenly Eagle!
Rejoice, you found protection for yourself in the shelter of His wings!
Rejoice, honored daughter of the heavenly Father, for by your earthly father was driven to death in disgrace!
Rejoice, for with glory you were received into everlasting life by the immortal Lord of glory!
Rejoice, mediatress whoever desires that same life for us!
Rejoice, fervent intercessor before God for us!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 5

You were like unto a divinely guided star, O holy great martyr Barbara; for, fleeing before your father, you guided him secretly to the path that leads to the Sun of Righteousness, Christ God, Who shone forth from the Virgin. Yet blind in the eyes of his soul, with his bodily eyes he could not at first see you fleeing before him; for passing into a mountain of stone, which parted before you at the command of God, you hid yourself from his eyes in a cave of stone, that from the midst of the mountain, like a bird, you might give voice to God, singing: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

Shepherds pasturing their sheep on the mountain’s height, seeing you hiding among the rocks, marveled, saying: “Who is this noetic ewe-lamb? From what wolf does she flee?” And, lo! Dioscorus, more cruel than any wolf, hastened up the mountain and found you hiding there, and laying hold of your virginal hair, he dragged you off to his home along a brutal path, whereon we, the faithful, meet you with these greetings:

Rejoice, you likened yourself to a young hart upon the mountains of spices!
Rejoice, you loved the things of heaven more than those of earth, appointing ascents within your heart!
Rejoice, you were delivered from the pit of pernicious idolatry!
Rejoice, you scaled the mountain of the worship of the Trinity!
Rejoice, you passed through stone, escaping the persecution of the hardhearted!
Rejoice, amid the rocks you found Christ the Rock, Who made you steadfast!
Rejoice, you entered a cave of stone to see Jesus, Who had lain in a tomb of stone!
Rejoice, you already behold Him seated upon a throne of glory!
Rejoice, for the hairs of your head were uprooted and cast upon the ground for the sake of Christ, Who takes care that men’s hairs do not perish!
Rejoice, for they are numbered by Christ for your crowning in heaven.
Rejoice, you stained your hairs with blood here below, as though they were flowers!
Rejoice, you transformed the plaiting of your gory locks into a golden crown for yourself!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 6

Boldly imitating the God-bearing preachers, the apostles of Christ, you preached Christ, the true God, in the face of the tormentors; and for His sake, O holy Barbara, you endured grievous wounds, the uprooting of your hair and the raking of your flesh with sharp shards. And then, imprisoned in a dungeon, you therein rejoiced in Christ Jesus, as in a bridal chamber, chanting to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

Christ the Lord, Who shone forth the light of true divine knowledge in your heart, also shone forth the light of His own divine countenance in your eyes; for as your beloved Bridegroom, coming to you, His blameless bride, in prison at midnight, He lovingly visited you, healed your wounds, and ineffably gladdened your soul with the radiance of His countenance; and He has taught us, the faithful, to sing to you such things as these:

Rejoice, you were mercilessly beaten for the sake of Christ, Who suffered beating for our sake!
Rejoice, you slew the invisible foe by enduring beating!
Rejoice, you bore the wounds of your Lord upon your body!
Rejoice, you by the same Lord had all of your body’s wounds healed!
Rejoice, for the Lord Himself, the Light of the world, revealed Himself to you when you were in prison!
Rejoice, for the Physician of soul and body Himself visited you when you were ailing!
Rejoice, you entered the heavenly bridal chamber in splendor through an earthly prison!
Rejoice, you wove a wedding garment for yourself out of your blood!
Rejoice, for through you are sinners healed of many wounds!
Rejoice, for through you are they who call upon you with faith, cured of all ailments!
Rejoice, swift looser of the bonds of sin!
Rejoice, good healer of most evil wounds!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 7

When the mindless tyrant wished to achieve his desire, and strove yet again with blandishments to turn you from the true God to false idols, O holy Barbara, you as a wise virgin, promised him: “You shall sooner turn hard adamant into soft wax then turn me away from Christ my God; for Him, and the Father and the Holy Spirit, do I confess to be the one, true God, and I glorify, praise and chant to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

The bestial tyrant displayed a new rage of inhumanity when he commanded that you be suspended from a tree, O holy great martyr Barbara, that your body be lacerated with iron hooks and your flanks burnt with burning torches, and yet more, that your head be cruelly beaten with a mallet. Reverently calling to mind your supernatural endurance, with praises we bless you herewith:

Rejoice, for you were suspended from a tree for the sake of Christ, Who was crucified on the Cross!
Rejoice, for your sides were flayed for the sake of Jesus, Whose side was pierced by a spear!
Rejoice, for you kindled the fire of love for God in your heart!
Rejoice, for you were scorched with fiery torches for Him!
Rejoice, you were harder than adamant in your inviolate endurance!
Rejoice, you were stronger than a pillar of stone in your undaunted valor!
Rejoice, for by the mallet which struck you about the head you forged for yourself a royal crown!
Rejoice, for by that same mallet was the head of your enemy broken!
Rejoice, for with Christ and for His sake you suffered on earth!
Rejoice, for with Him and in Him you are glorified in heaven!
Rejoice, mighty victor over all of our enemies!
Rejoice, ready helper amid all of our misfortunes!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 8

Beholding the strange and awesome suffering of the holy Barbara, Juliana, right faithful among women, marveled greatly at how a young maiden in a youthful body could so bravely endure such torments for Christ’s sake. And, filled with tearful compunction, she cried out in thanksgiving to Christ God: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

Sweetest Jesus was all your delight, all your desire, O holy Barbara; for sweetly you endured bitter torments for His sake, saying: “Shall I not drain the cup of sufferings which my beloved Bridegroom has given me?” Wherefore, you have shown yourself to be a cup pouring forth the sweetness of wondrous healings upon all who cry out to you such things as these:

Rejoice, you cast the bitterness of idolatry into the woe of Hades!
Rejoice, you loved the heavenly sweetness of Jesus!
Rejoice, noetic jar containing the manna which is the fruit of doing the will of God!
Rejoice, you fill the faithful with the desire for good things!
Rejoice, river filled with waters of the grace of God!
Rejoice, wellspring brimming with the outpourings of miracles!
Rejoice, you like a bee fled the vile smoke of idolatrous sacrifices!
Rejoice, you sweetly hastened to the sweet fragrance of the myrrh of Christ!
Rejoice, for in the wounds which covered your whole body you were like a honeycomb!
Rejoice, for the droplets of your blood were sweeter than honey to Jesus, most sweet!
Rejoice, for your memorial is most sweet to the faithful!
Rejoice, for your name is greatly cherished by the whole Church of Christ!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 9

Every angelic being rejoiced with great joy, beholding you valorous might, O holy and invincible martyr Barbara; for, seeing the ancient foe, the most prideful prince of darkness, with all of his demonic and idolatrous host, put to shame by you, a mere maiden, and vanquished and cast down beneath your feet, the ranks of angels cried to God with a mighty voice: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

The most eloquent of orators are unable to recount the magnitude of your painful sufferings with the rhetoric of their tongues, O Barbara; for who can describe how great your pain was when your breasts were cut off? Who can give account of the shame of your virginal face when, naked, you were led throughout the city by the iniquitous tormentors? At the mere recollection of your great pain and dishonor we are constrained to say with compunction:

Rejoice, good and tender plant of the garden of Jesus!
Rejoice, true vine of the vineyard of Christ!
Rejoice, you who offered up your two severed breasts, as though they were clusters of grapes, in honor of the Lord!
Rejoice, you who poured forth your blood, as the wine of compunction!
Rejoice, for you were stripped of your garments for the sake of Christ, Who was stripped naked!
Rejoice, for you were led through the city in mockery, for the sake of Him Who was led in mockery through Jerusalem!
Rejoice, you who in your nakedness were clothed by an angel in splendid vesture!
Rejoice, you who were veiled thereby and made invisible to shameful eyes!
Rejoice, you who were a sight wondrous for angels and men!
Rejoice, you who by your patience astonished even the tormentors themselves!
Rejoice, for the Lord Himself looked down upon your sufferings from on high!
Rejoice, for the Judge of the contest Himself praised your feats!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 10

Desiring to save your soul, you took no care for your body whatsoever, O holy Barbara. For when the sentence of death by the sword was pronounced against you, going forth joyfully beneath its sharp edge, as beneath a beauteous crown to God, Who strengthened you in your struggle of martyrdom, you chanted: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

Dioscorus, no longer your father, but your cruel tormentor, O holy Barbara, became more hard of heart than a wall of stone; for when he heard your condemnation to death by the sword, not only did he not grieve over your death, but he himself, with his own sword, cut off your holy head at the place of execution, and thus, in accordance with the Lord’s prophecy, the accursed father put his own child to death. On this day of your blessed repose, accept from us these hymns:

Rejoice, you who bowed your head beneath the sword for the sake of Christ, the Head of the Church!
Rejoice, you who gave yourself over to death at the hands of your earthly, inhuman and depraved father, out of love for the heavenly and immortal Father, Who loves mankind!
Rejoice, you who finished well the course of the way of martyrdom!
Rejoice, you who until death vigilantly kept faith with Christ, your immortal betrothed!
Rejoice, you who girded yourself for battle against the hosts of the nethermost abyss!
Rejoice, you who in the highest has been arrayed by Christ the victor in the glory of victory!
Rejoice, you who were crowned on earth with the helmet of the goodwill of God!
Rejoice, you who in heaven is arrayed in the bloom of incorruption!
Rejoice, comeliness and boast of virgins!
Rejoice, adornment and gladness of martyrs!
Rejoice, mighty refuge of Christians!
Rejoice, sure aid of the faithful!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 11

Even if our hymns of praise would number in the thousands, we know that they are not sufficient to praise you as is meet, O holy and all-praised martyr Barbara; yet thankful for the gifts that God has bestowed abundantly upon us through you, with thankful lips we chant to God, Who is glorified in you through His benefactions: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

With the eyes of our spirit we behold you, O holy virgin Barbara, to be a luminous lamp set on a heavenly lamp-stand before the throne of the Holy Trinity; thus, when you enlighten the nocturnal gloom of our sins with the rays of your prayers, and guide us to the radiant path of salvation, you are duly worthy to be honored by us with this address:

Rejoice, ray of noetic light who has passed into never- fading light!
Rejoice, noetic morning star rising to illumine the never- waning day!
Rejoice, fragrant myrrh perfuming the Church of Christ!
Rejoice, golden censer offering to God the incense of prayer on our behalf!
Rejoice, inexhaustible phial of healings!
Rejoice, overflowing treasury of the gifts of God!
Rejoice, cup drawing forth joy from the abundance of the house of God!
Rejoice, vessel receiving the sweetness of all the good things of heaven from the fullness of Christ!
Rejoice, diamond gracing the ring of immortal betrothal to Christ!
Rejoice, crown of beauty held forth in the hand of the Lord!
Rejoice, for the Lord of hosts, the King of glory, has set upon you glory and splendor!
Rejoice, for the King of kings and Lord of lords has given you His own kingdom and dominion!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 12

Grace has been given to you by God to preserve and protect from sudden illness and unexpected death all who with faith, love and reverence call to mind and honor your cherished sufferings. Do not deprive us also of that grace, O good virgin Barbara, who is strong in body and spirit and that we may, in this life and the life to come, chant with you to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

We hymn your mighty struggles, we honor your sufferings, we praise your longsuffering, we bless your holy end, we glorify your invincible courage, which you showed forth in your weak body and whereby you have been glorified in heaven and on earth, O holy and right victorious great martyr Barbara; and in honor of your triumphal feats and sufferings, we dedicate to you these hymns of praise:

Rejoice, you who the ranks of angels have lovingly received into their habitation!
Rejoice, you who were joyfully led into the bridal chamber of heaven by choirs of virgins!
Rejoice, you who amid the sound of rejoicing were escorted by hosts of martyrs beneath a crown of glory!
Rejoice, you who received a greeting in the Lord from all the inhabitants of heaven!
Rejoice, for great is your reward in heaven!
Rejoice, for your joy is everlasting in the splendor of the saints!
Rejoice, our mighty helper against enemies visible and invisible!
Rejoice, mediatress of joy, grace and eternal glory for us!
Rejoice, healer of our spiritual and bodily ailments!
Rejoice, bestower of earthly and heavenly blessings of salvation!
Rejoice, for through you do we hope to be preserved from unexpected and everlasting death!
Rejoice, for through you we might expect to acquire everlasting life!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 13

O much-suffering and all-praised holy great martyr Barbara! Accepting our present supplication, deliver us from all ailments of soul and body and from enemies visible and invisible; and preserve us from everlasting torment by your God-pleasing mediation, that with you in the land of the living, we may chant to God forever: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

(Repeat the above Kontakion 13, 3 times)
(Then continue below)

Ikos 1

Having preserved your precious and most beloved purity for the angels, O honored Barbara, you were accounted worthy to dwell with the angels. And when in heaven you chant with them the hymn to God in Trinity, hear us, who chant these hymns of praise to you on earth:

Rejoice, O maiden, who was foreordained by God the Father to be like His Son in the manner of your suffering!
Rejoice, you who, by the Son of God, Who is Light from Light, were called out of darkness into the wondrous light of faith and His grace!
Rejoice, for in body and spirit you yourself are holy to the Holy Spirit Who called you!
Rejoice, for you preserved yourself undefiled by pollution of flesh and spirit!
Rejoice, you who as a pure virgin were betrothed to Christ, the Bridegroom, Who was begotten of the Virgin!
Rejoice, you who did not wish to know an earthly spouse more than One from heaven!
Rejoice, lily of virginity who grew among the thorns of idolatry below!
Rejoice, flower of purity who blossoms in unfading glory above!
Rejoice, you who delights in the fragrance of Christ in the garden of heaven!
Rejoice, you who are consoled by the sight of Him Who is more comely than all the children of men!
Rejoice, you who on earth whitened your garments in the blood of the Lamb!
Rejoice, you who in heaven follows after the Lamb of God in the choir of virgins!
Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Kontakion 1

O holy and all-praised great martyr, in that we have been delivered by you from diverse evils and woes, we your supplicants send up hymns of thanksgiving and praise to you, the bride of Christ, who was chosen by God from among a family of idolaters and summoned to the holy nation, the people of renewal. As you have boldness before the Lord, free us from all tribulations, that we may cry to you with joy:

Rejoice, O Barbara, most comely bride of Christ!

Prayer 1

O holy, glorious and all-praised Barbara, great martyr of Christ! We, the people who have assembled today in this divine temple, who bow down before the shrine of your icon and venerate it with love, with praises bless the sufferings of your martyrdom, and therein also Christ the Judge of the contest; and we beseech you, O renowned mediator of our desires: With us, and on our behalf, beseech God Who is entreated in His loving-kindness, to hearken mercifully to us who beseech His goodness, and not to deny all our requests for what is needful for our salvation and life, but to grant us a Christian end to our life, free of pain and shame, peaceful and in communion with the divine mysteries; and to bestow His great mercy upon all who, finding themselves amid all manner of tribulations and evil circumstances, are in need of his love for mankind and assistance: that remaining ever healthy of soul and body by the grace of God and your fervent intercession, we may glorify the God of Israel Who is wondrous in his saints and Who does not deprive us of His aid, always, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer 2

O most wise and all-comely Barbara, holy great martyr of Christ! Blessed are you, for flesh and blood did not reveal to you the transcendent things of the wisdom of God, but God the heavenly Father Himself, Who took you to Him as a beloved daughter, in that, for the sake of the Faith, you were abandoned, driven out and slain by your infidel father. In place of a corruptible inheritance of earthly estates, He gave you incorruption of the flesh; your martyric struggles He crowned with rest in the kingdom of heaven; your fleeting life, cut short by death for His sake, He glorified with such honor that He numbered your soul among the choirs of the spirits of heaven; and your body, placed on earth in their angelic temple, He commanded the angels to preserve whole, honored and greatly miraculous. Blessed are you, O virgin who was betrothed to Christ the Son of God, the heavenly Bridegroom, Whom desiring to have as the Lover of your beauty, you strove to adorn yourself in suffering, wounds, the severing of your members and your beheading, as with most precious ornaments; that thus, as a faithful spouse, united indissolubly, spirit and body, to Christ, your Head and Spouse, you might say: “I have found Him Whom my soul has loved; I have clung to Him and have not forsaken Him!” Blessed are you, for the Holy Spirit rested on you, and taught by Him to discern spiritual things through the things of the spirit, you rejected as pernicious all the spirits of wickedness in the idols; and having come to know the one God, the Spirit, you as a true worshipper, will to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, saying as you preached: “I honor the Trinity, the one Godhead!” Wherefore, on my behalf entreat the Holy Trinity, Whom in your life and death, through your confession and suffering you glorified, O my intercessor, that I also, through the three virtues of faith, hope and love, may ever honor the same Holy Trinity. I have a lamp of faith, but it lacks the oil of good works. O wise virgin, who has as a lamp your suffering flesh, full of blood and overflowing with wounds, give me of your oil, that, providing the lamp of my soul therewith, I may be vouchsafed to enter after you into the heavenly bridal chamber. I am a stranger and sojourner on earth, as were all of my fathers; do you, O inheritor of everlasting bliss and blessed partaker of the banquet in the kingdom of heaven, as you were vouchsafed to be received at the divine banquet during the sojourn of this life, so vouchsafe that in my departure from this world I may receive the Provision for the final journey; and when in the end I begin to sleep the sleep of death, may it be accomplished through you that, strengthened by the grace of the divine Body and Blood of the Mysteries, I may in the strength of that Food travel the long road of death even to the mountains of heaven, and there be accounted worthy to behold face to face with you God in Trinity Whom through faith you perceived through the three windows of your father’s bath-house, unto endless ages. Amen.

Prayer 3

O holy virgin and great martyr Barbara, I who am afflicted flee to you as to a source of speedy healing and most wondrous cure, and falling down before your holy icon I fervently pray: look upon the wounds of my flesh and the welts of my sins; behold the infirmity of my soul and, compelled by your loving-kindness and benevolence, hasten to heal it. Hear the voice of my supplication, do not disdain the groaning I offer you from my wretched heart, and attend to my cry, for you are my refuge. The holy, consubstantial and indivisible Trinity, Whom you represented by the three windows of your father’s bath-house, entreat on behalf of me, your sinful and intemperate servant, that He may have mercy upon me now and at the hour of my death. Prostrate yourself before the heavenly Father, that He may raise me up to His glorification who am bowed down by all my sins and am crushed down to the ground; and that He may vouchsafe to me a heart ever uplifted, meditating on the heavenly and not on the earthly. Beseech Christ, the Son of God, Who heard your prayer of suffering in prison, that He guide me, who am slothful in prayer and who sit amid much despondency as in a prison, to the quick way to the paths of God’s commandments, and that He may grant me a heartfelt desire to pray unceasingly. Call upon the Holy Spirit, the inexhaustible Source of purity, Who fortified you, a pure virgin, in your struggle of suffering, and Who protected you from shame with His pinions, that He may create a pure heart in me, who am shameful and impure, and may renew a right spirit within me; and what is more, that He summon me and enable me to struggle ardently in a pure life, and strengthen me in the doing of good deeds. I believe that you can obtain all these things for me from the All-holy Trinity, O holy great martyr Barbara, for, if you so desire, you can greatly help me, in that you glorified God in the miracles of your suffering. And I know, O holy virgin, that nothing is impossible for you, if only you will not disdain my tears and sighing. Wherefore, I fall prostrate before your honored icon and falling down in spirit before you who abides in heaven, I make bold to utter in prayer: May your ears attend to the voice of my supplication; may your much suffering body cure the multitude of the passions of my soul and body; may your head which bowed before the sword, bestow upon my head the water of purification from sins; may your hair, so mercilessly uprooted, bind me to the love of God; may your pure lips seal my lips against idle talk and open them always to proclaim the praise of the Lord; may your eyes which beheld the light of the Trinity, behold my desire to do good, that I, too, may avert my gaze from the sight of vain things, and may ever envision the blessedness of heaven; may your severed hands make me worthy always to stretch forth my hands to the Most High, that they may not become ensnared by falsehood; may your breasts, so cruelly cut off, be to me as a pillar of strength in the face of the enemy; may your feet, which hasten with a bright lamp to the heavenly Bridegroom in the house of God, insure that my feet may ever hasten to every good deed, that the law of the Lord may be a lamp to my feet and a light to my steps; may your wounds free me from the wounds of sin; may your blood, shed repeatedly during your torment, cleanse my soul and body of every impurity; may your death assure that I may not die without confession and repentance. For if in such beneficence you were glorified, yet in this you are glorified most of all: that all place their hope in you and continually call upon you for aid in escaping sudden death. Wherefore, deliver even me, wretch that I am, from this, O pure virgin great martyr Barbara, and by your almighty supplications make me worthy to stand at the right hand of Christ, the Son of God, and to hear the voice which says: Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord. Amen