[August 19, 2016]
Roman Catholics have a beautiful litany to the Virgin Mary, and I thought I would create a similar one based on the many ways the Theotokos is addressed in Orthodox hymns. I soon found that there is far too much for only one litany! Here is the first, then, drawn entirely from the Paraklesis Hymn (also called the Little Supplicatory Canon) to the Theotokos. Hopefully there will be other litanies in time, drawn from other hymns. If you’d like to create some, send them to me at fmg@frederica.com.
You’ll find a more attractively-formatted version here. My idea was that you could print this out as a bookmark; it’s only 2” wide. (Admittedly a long bookmark at almost 10”.) I printed mine and then stuck the two columns back to back, and placed it in one of those “Self-sealing Laminating Pouches” you can buy at any office supply store.
A wink: the font I chose is called “Sitka.”
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Litany to the Theotokos
from the Paraklesis Hymn 
Most Holy Theotokos,
pray for us.
Mother of the Word,
pray for us.
Ever-Virgin,
pray for us.
All-blameless One,
pray for us.
Mother of God,
pray for us.
Birthgiver of the Good,
pray for us.
Birthgiver of God,
pray for us.
Shelter and defense,
pray for us.
Pilot and governor,
pray for us.
Author of good things,
pray for us.
Staff of the faithful,
pray for us.
Bride of God,
pray for us.
All-blameless One,
pray for us.
Spotless One,
pray for us.
Staff and hope,
pray for us.
Unshaken battlement,
pray for us.
All-lauded One,
pray for us.
Mother of deliverance,
pray for us.
Mother of peace,
pray for us.
Protection of my life,
pray for us.
Safe fortification,
pray for us.
Bulwark of safe retreat,
pray for us.
Fount of incorruption,
pray for us.
Tower of safety,
pray for us.
Treasure of salvation,
pray for us.
Portal of repentance,
pray for us.
Maiden full of grace,
pray for us.
Haven and protection,
pray for us.
Unshaken wall,
pray for us.
Our rejoicing,
pray for us.
Shelter and retreat,
pray for us.
Ever-blessed,
pray for us.
All-immaculate,
pray for us.
More honorable than the cherubim,
pray for us.
More glorious than the seraphim,
pray for us.
Higher than the heavens,
pray for us.
Purer than sunlight,
pray for us.
Mistress of Creation,
pray for us.
Our refuge,
pray for us.
Hope of the Hopeless,
pray for us.
Full of Grace,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
All-lauded one,
pray for us.
Mystical Paradise,
pray for us.
Sweetness of Angels,
pray for us.
Gladness of afflicted ones,
pray for us.
Protectress of Christians,
pray for us.
Gold-entwined tower,
pray for us.
Twelve-wall-encircled city,
pray for us.
Throne besprinkled with sunbeams,
pray for us.
Royal chair of the King,
pray for us.
Litany to the Theotokos
from the Paraklesis Hymn
Most Holy Theotokos,
pray for us.
Mother of the Word,
pray for us.
Ever-Virgin,
pray for us.
All-blameless One,
pray for us.
Mother of God,
pray for us.
Birthgiver of the Good,
pray for us.
Birthgiver of God,
pray for us.
Shelter and defense,
pray for us.
Pilot and governor,
pray for us.
Author of good things,
pray for us.
Staff of the faithful,
pray for us.
Bride of God,
pray for us.
All-blameless One,
pray for us.
Spotless One,
pray for us.
Staff and hope,
pray for us.
Unshaken battlement,
pray for us.
All-lauded One,
pray for us.
Mother of deliverance,
pray for us.
Mother of peace,
pray for us.
Protection of my life,
pray for us.
Safe fortification,
pray for us.
Bulwark of safe retreat,
pray for us.
Fount of incorruption,
pray for us.
Tower of safety,
pray for us.
Treasure of salvation,
pray for us.
Portal of repentance,
pray for us.
Maiden full of grace,
pray for us.
Haven and protection,
pray for us.
Unshaken wall,
pray for us.
Our rejoicing,
pray for us.
Shelter and retreat,
pray for us.
Ever-blessed,
pray for us.
All-immaculate,
pray for us.
More honorable than the cherubim,
pray for us.
More glorious than the seraphim,
pray for us.
Higher than the heavens,
pray for us.
Purer than sunlight,
pray for us.
Mistress of Creation,
pray for us.
Our refuge,
pray for us.
Hope of the Hopeless,
pray for us.
Full of Grace,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
All-lauded one,
pray for us.
Mystical Paradise,
pray for us.
Sweetness of Angels,
pray for us.
Gladness of afflicted ones,
pray for us.
Protectress of Christians,
pray for us.
Gold-entwined tower,
pray for us.
Twelve-wall-encircled city,
pray for us.
Throne besprinkled with sunbeams,
pray for us.
Royal chair of the King,
pray for us.
Beautiful sublimity.
-John