Kontakion 1
Our Lady of Kazan, most blessed and all-holy, we venerate your glorious icon which was brought to Russia from Constantinople in the thirteenth century. You are our treasure, Virgin Mary, and where our treasure is our heart is. Your wonderworking icon is a precious fortune, a wealth of intercession for the Godly-minded who bow before you – as we do today, amid the agonizing events of our own Time of Troubles. In humility we therefore declare:
Rejoice, Virgin of Kazan, Protectress of the repentant and merciful.
Ikos 1
We flee to you, Mother of God of Kazan, and beg you to save us from the Tatars of our time and from all enemies of the Holy Church. May their cruel yoke not be upon us, no matter the number of our sins which we now put behind us – for today we celebrate your icon and we turn to you in repentance. Receive us even as your Son, Jesus Christ, received the Penitent Woman who wept as His feet, that we may thrive in your fearlessness and bring you these praises:
Rejoice, imperishable wealth of the persecuted.
Rejoice, enduring prosperity that cannot be plundered.
Rejoice, unrivaled treasure of true believers.
Rejoice, unshakable courage that will not be silenced.
Rejoice, cause of gladness even in the Time of Troubles.
Rejoice, cause of cheerfulness for the clean of heart.
Rejoice, reason for hope even in the gloomiest hour.
Rejoice, reason for confidence in the course of salvation.
Rejoice, conqueror of the anguish of sinfulness.
Rejoice, vanquisher of the agony of time and place.
Rejoice, stronghold of truth.
Rejoice, guardian of righteousness.
Rejoice, Virgin of Kazan, Protectress of the repentant and merciful.
Kontakion 2
The centuries advance, holy Virgin of Kazan, yet your intercession is ageless and your blessings are perpetual. The city of Kazan was destroyed by fire in the sixteenth century, but your glorious icon was hidden and kept safe from the ravages of this world and from the corrosion of time’s passing. Nothing and nobody can impede the intentions of the Mother of God, and we therefore implore you to preserve us from unfaithfulness during our Time of Troubles. In thanksgiving for your valor in spiritual battle, we say: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Your hidden icon was located through the visionary dreams of Matrona, a 10-year old girl, who said the icon was buried beneath the ashes of calamity – safe from the Tatars and all atrocities committed under the guise of justice and morality. Matrona and her mother dug up the icon from beneath a burned-down house, and its original beauty had been miraculously preserved. Blessed Virgin of Kazan, we entreat you to honor us also with your immaculate presence, that we may bring rightful praises to you: