Paraklesis
The Paraklesis, or "Office of the Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos", is a devotional service to the Mother of God which is contained in the liturgical books of the Byzantine Rite. It is particularly associated with the Dormition Fast (August 1-14), but it can used throughout the year, either in church or in private.
Melkite Archbishop Joseph Raya explains the service as follows:
The word paraclisis has two different meanings: the first is "consolation", from which the Holy Spirit is called the "Paraclete" or "Consoler"; the second is "supplication" or "petition". The Office of Paraclisis consists in hymns of supplication to obtain consolation and courage. It should be recited in times of temptation, discouragement and sickness.
In the Slavic tradition, the Paraklisis is an example of a moleben - a prayer service for the living, which is appointed by the Church for use whenever desired. This distinguishes it from both the liturgical hours of prayer and the Divine Liturgy on the one hand, and from personally-composed prayers on the other. For musical details, see Singing a Moleben.
Text and music for the Paraklesis
The Slavonic text of the Paraklesis can be found in the "Canons and Molebens" section of the Ruthenian Časoslóv. The Byzantine Book of Prayer contains a (slightly abbreviated) English translation.
The Metropolitan Cantor Institute has prepared a complete booklet with text and music for the Paraklesis service. When this is used in private, follow the guidelines for Reader Services.
The structure of the Paraklisis
The parts of the Paraklesis service greatly resemble those of daily Matins, with the Gospel and additional hymns of supplication inserted into the Canon:
Paraklisis |
Daily Matins |
|---|---|
| Blessing and begining prayers |
Blessing and beginning prayers |
Psalm 142 |
Psalms 3, 37, 62, 87, 102, 142 |
Litany of Peace |
|
| "The Lord is God", with verses |
"The Lord is God", with verses Troparia |
Psalm 50 |
Psalm 50 |
Litany, "Save your people, O God" Lord, have mercy (12 times) |
|
Canon, Odes 1-3 |
Canon, Odes 1-3 |
Litany of Fervent Supplication, preceded and followed by troparia of supplication |
Small Litany
|
Odes 4-6 |
Odes 4-6
|
Troparia, Small Litany and Kontakion, "Steadfast Protectress of Christians" |
Small Litany, Kontakion and Ikos |
Odes 7-9 "It is truly proper" |
Odes 7-9 (with Magnificat) "It is truly proper" |
Priest censes the altar and people, who sing stichera to the Mother of God |
Hymn of Light, Psalms of Praise (148-150) and Lesser Doxology |
Trisagion prayers and Our Father |
Trisagion prayers and Our Father |
Troparia
from the "general moleben for the living" |
Troparia of the day |
Special Litany of supplication and protection |
|
Dismissal |
Dismissal |
The basic outline of the Paraklesis service has been adapted for many of the various molebens in use. The short "General Moleben for the Living" in the People's Book of the Divine Liturgies book consists simply of the beginning and end of this service.