Canon for the Sick

Troparion for the Sick - Tone 6

Have mercy on us O Lord, have mercy on us; for at a loss for any defence, this prayer do we sinners offer unto Thee as Master: have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Lord, have mercy on us; for we have hoped in Thee, be not angry with us greatly, neither remember our iniquities; but look upon us now as Thou art compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies, for Thou art our God, and we, Thy people; all are the works of the Thy hands, and we call upon Thy name.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

The door of compassion open unto us, O blessed Theotokos, for, hoping in thee, let us not perish; through thee may we be delivered from adversities, for thou art the salvation of the Christian race.

Ode 1

Eirmos: When of old the sea was split by the staff, Israel passed through it as though through a dry land, for the figure of the Cross made the way clear. Thus, let us chant unto our wondrous God in praise, for He is glorified.

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

In the day of affliction, which hath befallen us, to Thee, O Christ Saviour, we flee for refuge, and we beseech Thy mercy: ease the sufferings of Thy servants, and say unto us, as once Thou said unto the centurion: "Go back, thy child is well."

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

To Thee, O Son of God, we call out our prayers and entreaties with sighing: have mercy on us! Raise from their bed those who lay there, as Thou didst once raise the paralytic by Thy word, saying: "Take up thy bed, thy sins be forgiven."

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We bow before the icon of Thine image, O Christ, and we kiss it with faith, and we are pleading for health of those who are sick. We thus imitate the woman with the issue of blood, who touched the hem of Thy garment and received the healing of her infirmity.

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Theotokion: O Most pure Lady, the Mother of God, Thou art the sure Helper of all, despise not us, who fall down before Thee seeking help. Since Thou art gracious, entreat Thy Son and our God, to give health to them who are sick, that they may also glorify Thee together with us!

Ode 3

Eirmos: O Thou Who didst bring forth from nothingness all things created by the Word and perfected by the Spirit: O Almighty and Most High, make me steadfast in Thy love.

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

Those who are cast down to the ground by grievous sufferings crieth out with us unto Thee, O Christ: Grant health to their body, as Thou didst for Hezekiah when he wept before Thee.

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

Look upon our humility, O Lord, and remember not our iniquities. But on account of their faith heal the affliction of those who are sick, as Thou didst heal the leper with a word, that Thy name may be glorified, O Christ God.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Let no reproach fall upon the Church which Thou hast hallowed, wherein prayer is offered to Thee. Do Thou invisibly raise up those that lieth upon a bed of sickness, lest unbelievers should say, Where is their God?

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Theotokion: Lifting up our hands before thy most pure image, O Mother of God, we cry out: Hear the prayer of thy servants, and save those who lieth sick, that, arising from their illness, they might fulfil the vows which their lips uttered during their affliction.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

Sessional Hymn, Eighth Tone:

I lie on a bed of sinfulness, wounded by the passions. But as Thou didst raise Peter's mother-in-law and save the paralytic who was carried about with his bed, so do Thou now also visit mine infirmity, O Merciful One Who didst bear the infirmities of our race. Thee alone we know to be patient and compassionate, a merciful Physician of souls and bodies, Christ our God, Who sendest not sickness but healing, Who grantest forgiveness unto them that repent of their sins, and Who alone art merciful and compassionate.

Tone 2

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

I a sinner, lie weeping upon my bed. Grant me forgiveness, O Christ God, and raise me up from this sickness, and free me from the sins which I have committed from my youth. Through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother grant these petitions.

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Take pity and save me; raise me up from my sick-bed; for my strength within me hath failed, and I am entirely possessed by desperation. O most pure Mother of God, heal those who are grievously ill, for thou art the help of all Christians.

Ode 4

Eirmos: Thou hast showed Thy steadfast love towards us, O Lord, for Thou hast given over to death Thine Only-begotten Son for us. Wherefore, we cry out extolling Thee: Glory be to Thy power, O Lord!

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

Bring back to life, O Christ, those who are already lying hopeless in their severe sickness, and who have drawn close to death, and grant comfort to them that weep, that we may all glorify Thy Holy miracles!

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

We repent of our sins to Thee, O Creator, for Thou desirest not the death of a sinner. And also grant life and health unto those who are sick, that they may rise and serve Thee, confessing with us Thy goodness!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Thou didst accept the tears of Manasseh, the repentance of Ninevites and the confession of David, and Thou didst swiftly save them. Please do Thou also accept now our prayers, and grant health to the sick ones, for whom we now pray Thee!

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Theotokion: Do Thou bestow Thy mercy, O Lady, upon us, who always have hope in Thee. Stretch out Thy healing hands, together with the Forerunner, to the Lord God, and plead for health of the sick ones, O Mother of God.

Ode 5

Eirmos: Thou didst appear on earth, O Invisible God, and didst willingly live with the earth-born, O Incomprehensible Lord. Before Thee we rise in the morning, and Thee do we hymn, O Lover of mankind.

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

As God Thou didst bring to life Jairus' daughter, who was already dead; and now do Thou deliver from death's door those who are sick, O Christ God: For Thou art the Way and the Life of all.

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

The widow's son didst Thou vivify, O Saviour, turning her tears into joy. Save Thy servant from destructive disease, that our pain and sorrow may also turn into joy.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Thou didst cure Peter's mother-in-law of a fever by Thy touch; now do Thou raise up Thy servant who is sick, that like her they may arise and serve Thee.

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Theotokion: Afflicted, humble, sinful, having no boldness, we cry to thee, most pure Mother of God: Beseech Christ thy Son to grant health of body to those who are sick.

Ode 6

Eirmos: The nethermost abyss of sin hath encompassed me, and my soul doeth faint. But stretch forth Thy lofty Hand, O Master, and save me, O Helmsman, as Thou once saved Peter.

Refrain: O Merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

Thine is an abyss of mercy and loving-kindness, O Christ God - attend to the petitions of Thy servants. Thou didst once raise up Tabitha through Peter – hearken to the petitions of the praying Church, and do Thou now also raise up them who lie sick.

Refrain: O Merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

O Physician of our souls and bodies, Thou didst bear the infirmities of the whole world, O Christ, and didst heal Ananias through Peter - through the prayers of Thy Holy Apostles, do Thou now also heal them who are sick.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Do Thou convert to joy, O Christ, the weeping of us who lament over them, who are ill. That having received Thy Mercy, they may enter into Thy house with the gifts that they have promised, glorifying Thee - the One God, glorified in Holy Trinity.

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Theotokion: Come, O friends, let us bow down in prayer to the Mother of God, praying for them, who are sick. For She hath power, together with the unmercenary healers, to heal the sick, anointing them invisibly with spiritual oil.

Lord, have mercy. (thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Kontakion (in the 3rd Tone)

In Thy divine love towards man, / do Thou raise up, O Lord, my soul / for it hath been paralyzed with every sin and wrongdoing. / Just as in old times / Thou once didst raise up the paralytic. / That being saved I may call unto Thee: / Grant me healing, O Compassionate Christ.

Ekos

O Thou, Who holdest the ends of the earth in the palm of Thy Hand – O Jesus, our God – Thou, Who together with the Father hast no beginning, and with the Holy Spirit Thou rulest the Universe; by coming in the flesh Thou didst manifest Thyself; Thou didst heal infirmities and purge passions; Thou gave sight to the blind man, and hath raised up the paralytic with a Divine Word; him Thou didst suddenly order to walk, and to take his bed upon his shoulders. Wherefore, with him we all sing and cry out to Thee: “Grant me healing, O compassionate Christ!”

Ode 7

Eirmos: Of old the youths would not adore the golden idol with Persian worship, but the three of them sang amidst the flames of the furnace: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

Refrain: To the Cross. Glory to Thy precious Cross, O Lord. O most holy Cross of Christ, O precious Tree of Life, through thee death perished and the dead arose. And now do thou heal those that are sick, and quicken them as the dead maiden in the time of St. Helen.

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

The long and cruel suffering of Job in worms upon a dung-heap Thou didst heal with a word when he besought Thee. Now in the church we beseech Thee on behalf of those who are sick: As Thou art good, invisibly heal them through the prayers of Thy saints.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

We all know that we are to die, since Thou hast so willed, O God. Yet for a short while we ask health for those that are sick, O Merciful One. Turn them aside from death to life, and give solace to the sorrowful.

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Theotokion: Help and aid our orphanhood, O Mother of God; for thou knowest the day and hour in which to entreat thy Son and our God to give those who are sick health and the forgiveness of all their sins.

Ode 8

Eirmos: For their ministry to the living God, the three youths have once suffered much in Babylon; they have ignored the call of the musical instruments, and then when standing in the midst of the flames, they sang a hymn that pleased God: Bless the Lord, all ye the works of the Lord.”

Refrain: O Merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

Show Thy Mercy, O Master, to Thy servants in their illness, and do Thou cure them soon; do not yet judge them to be given over to death, O Merciful Christ God that they may yet bring forth repentance to Thee. For Thou Thyself didst say: “I desire not the death of a sinner.”

Refrain: O Merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

May Thy most glorious wonders, O Merciful Lord, extend even unto us: Do Thou cast out the demons, vanquish the infirmities, heal the wounds, cure the sicknesses, and deliver us from all potions and spells, and from every sore!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The winds of the sea didst Thou rebuke, O Christ, and Thou hast changed Thydisciples' fear into joy. Do Thou now also rebuke the grave sicknesses that burden Thy servants - that we may all rejoice, and glorify Thee unto the ages.

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Theotokion: We beseech Thee, O Mother of God: do Thou deliver us from the sorrows, which surround us, from all infirmities, poisoning and witchcraft, from demonic fantasies and incantations of evil people, and from a vain death!

Ode 9

Eirmos: On Mount Sinai Moses saw thee in the bush unconsumed, for thou didst conceive in thy womb the divine Fire. And Daniel saw thee, a mountain unhewn. Isaiah exclaimed of thee: There shall come forth a rod out of the root of David.

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

O Well-spring of life and Giver of mercy, O Christ, turn not Thy face away from us. Relieve the suffering of those who are burdened by sickness, and raise them up as Thou didst raise up Abgar through Thaddeus, that they may ever glorify Thee with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the supplications of Thy servants, who pray unto Thee.

Believing Thy Gospel word, we seek Thy promise, O Christ, for Thou hast said: "Ask, and it shall be given you." Wherefore, we now stand before Thee and beseech Thee: Those who are laid low by severe sickness do Thou raise up in health, that together with us they may magnify Thee.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Those who are tormented by illness and by invisible interior wounds crieth out with us to Thee, O Christ: Not for us, O Lord, not for our sakes do Thou bestow healing upon the sick, but through the prayers of Thy Mother and of Thy Forerunner, that we may all magnify Thee.

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amin.Theotokion: O Mother of God most pure, with all the saints, with the angels and archangels, with the prophets and patriarchs, with the apostles and hierarchs, with the venerable and all the righteous, we call upon thee: Pray to Christ our God to grant health to those who are sick, that we may all magnify thee.

Final Prayer

O Powerful God, Who orderest all things in mercy for the salvation of the Christian race, visit this Thy servant N. , who calleth upon the name of Thy Christ. Heal them of every illness of flesh and of spirit; forgive their sins, and remove far from Thy servant temptations to sin, every trial and every incursion of the enemy. And raise them up from the bed of sinfulness, and establish them in Thy holy Church in health of soul and body to glorify the name of Thy Christ by good works, together with all the people. For unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thine unoriginate Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amin.