Canon of Prayer for Those Who Have Ended Their Own Life

For Private Devotional Use Only

 

In the Second Tone

ODE I

Irmos

Overwhelming power once laid low the whole army of Pharaoh in the deep, and the incarnate Word hath destroyed pernicious sin. All-glorious is the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

O most merciful Lord, according to Thy mercy, have mercy on me, who begin this hymn to Thee and pray boldly for one who hath slain himself, that this may not be unto my judgment or condemnation, O most righteous Judge.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

Let not my prayer be unto sin, as the meek David saith, neither let it weigh heavily upon the soul of him who of his own will gave himself over to death, but at the supplications of the martyrs grant us remission of our transgressions.

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

Ever pouring forth rich mercy upon all, O most good Christ our God, grant mercy unto Thy servant N., who entreateth Thee through us, and number him among those who have reposed in piety, even though he hath reposed in ignorance and an ungodly manner.

Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Having made steadfast my whirling mind, O Mother of God, strengthen me with the divine precepts of Him Who was born of thy sanctified womb, O Mistress, and hath abolished the dark kingdom of hades, that with boldness and without condemnation I may pray for the departed N.

 

ODE III

Irmos

Establishing me upon the rock of faith, Thou hast enlarged my mouth against mine enemies, for my spirit doth exult when I chant: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous save Thee, O Lord.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

Be Thou well pleased to illumine with the radiance of Thy beauty him who hath departed, that he may dwell with those who have reposed with faith, O Thou Who art rich in mercy; for Thou art our God, Who alone art sinless and great in mercy.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

In a place of coolness, in an eternal resting-place, be Thou well-pleased also to receive Thy servant who hath faintheartedly cut off his own life; for Thou alone art mighty, and didst take our infirmities upon Thyself, O Lord our God.

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

Accept Thy servant N. to dwell in the bridal-chamber of heaven, O Master, that he may not hear Thy righteous voice say: “I know thee not,” even if he is deserving thereof.

Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

In giving birth unto the Bestower of life, O Birthgiver of God, thou didst lift us mortals up to life incorruptible. Raise up also thy servant N. out of the nethermost hades, entreating thy Son for mercy.

 

ODE IV

Irmos

I hymn Thee, O Lord, for I heard report of Thee, and I was afraid; for Thou comest to me, seeking me who have strayed. Wherefore, I glorify Thy great condescension toward me, O greatly Merciful One.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

O Saviour, have pity on Thy servant, who weakened in his trust in Thee and was defeated by the violence of the enemy, O God, overlooking his transgressions voluntary and involuntary, in that Thou art good.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

Possessed of an unfathomable abyss of loving kindness, O Lord, cover Thou Thy servant’s abyss of sins, with Thine own Blood, washing away his sin of ignorance and lack of faith, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

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

O Christ God, Who art seated with the Father and purifiest all with the Spirit, Who hast dominion over the living and mastery over the dead, have mercy also on Thy servant N., for Thou hast all authority in heaven and on earth.

Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O Birthgiver of God, thou hast rectified the wretched fall of Eve, for thou gavest birth to the Creator, Who is able to set aright creation which is perishing. Him do thou beseech, that by His mercy He save also His hapless servant N., who hath broken the commandment of God.

 

ODE V

Irmos

O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God than Thee.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

O God, lead up him who hath died and fallen headlong into the pit of hades, smoothing over his crime; for Thou didst come, that by Thy precious Blood Thou mightest wash away our sins on the Cross, O Christ, Redeemer of all.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

O Christ God, Who camest to save us, accept now also our unworthy entreaties in behalf of Thy servant N., and deliver him from everlasting torment, that he and we may find mercy, O all-good Saviour.

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

We beseech Thee, O Word of God: Even though this entreaty is audacious, in that Thy servant N. hath angered Thee, yet, entreated by Thy grace, disdain not our supplications, and have mercy on us, for we are all guilty in Thine eyes, O most holy Master.

Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All who place their trust in thee are saved under thy protection, O Mother of God. With thy help defend us, and vouchsafe that we may with boldness and without condemnation entreat thy Son in behalf of N., who hath ended his own life in despair.

 

ODE VI

Irmos

Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy loving kindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

O Lord God, Who didst create man out of earth and hast now returned him to the earth, have pity upon this one who hath in ignorance destroyed his vessel of clay; for Thou, Master and Creator, art able to raise him up again out of corruption.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

O Ineffable and unapproachable Lord, by the compassions of Thine unutterable love for mankind have mercy upon him who hath ended his own life, overlooking his offenses, both those committed in knowledge and in ignorance.

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

Vouchsafe, O Master, to illumine with Thy mercy N., who hath of his own will ended his life; and raise him up to Thy light, drawing him forth from the lightless darkness, for the sake of Thy loving-kindness.

Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

We earnestly call upon thee, O all-pure Mistress our deliverer: Entreat thy Son, that He have compassion upon N., who hath died, for thou gavest birth to the Master of life and death.

 

ODE VI

Irmos

The command of the iniquitous tyrant, opposed to God, raised up a lofty flame; but Christ, Who is blessed and all glorious, spread a spiritual dew upon the pious youths.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

O Thou Who as God didst descend in soul unto hades and lead the thief up with Thee into paradise, remember now also Thy servant N., who hath angered Thee by a great crime, but now piteously entreateth Thee through us.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

O Thou Who alone art sinless, of Thine own will Thou wast reckoned among the dead, that Thou mightest raise up with Thyself those slain by the power of the slayer of men. Wherefore, rescue also Thy servant from his dominion, O Omnipotent One.

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

O Thou Who wast pleased to grant us eternal joy by Thy resurrection, out of the bitter kingdom of darkness rescue Thy servant N., that, freed from everlasting torment, he may stand at Thy right hand and gaze upon Thee, O greatly merciful Judge.

Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O All-holy one, beseech the Effulgence of the glory of the Father, Who through thee appeared in the flesh, that He free from the gloom of hades thine unprofitable servant N.; for through us he entreateth thee as his mother.

 

ODE VIII

Irmos

Once, in Babylon, the fiery furnace divided its activity at the command of God, consuming the Chaldeans, but bedewing the faithful, who chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

Thou Who by Thine own death didst lay waste the kingdom of death, and by divine power didst give access to everlasting life: Do not deny Thy compassion also to Thy servant, for even though he hath sinned, he now bitterly crieth out from hades.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

Vouchsafe that he who hath come to a blameworthy end may come to delight in Thy beauty, cleansing him of the shame of that ugly death; for Thou alone, O Master, art free of sin, and for us didst die the death of the Cross.

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

Desiring to set aright those who had fallen into the dust of death, Thou didst show Thyself to share in death, O Immortal One. By Thy power raise up out of the valley of death Thy servant who hath come to a grievous end.

Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Truly great is the mystery of thy birthgiving, O Mother of God, for thou gavest birth to God incarnate. Him do thou beseech as thy Son, that He save N. who hath ended his life wretchedly. For thou hast boldness before the compassionate Saviour of the world, Who was born of thee.

 

ODE IX

Irmos

We magnify thee, O blessed and all pure Birthgiver of God, who ineffably gavest birth from thy virginal womb unto God the Luminary Who shone forth before the sun and hath come to us in the flesh.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

O Saviour, Who hast authority over the living and the dead, take pity on Thy servant N., who hath ended his life by a bitter death, for unto Thee hath it been given by Thy Father to grant life to and have mercy on whomsoever Thou desirest, O Son of God.

Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.

The all-glorious multitude of Thy saints unceasingly entreateth Thee, O Christ, for Thy sinful servants, that in Thy loving-kindness Thou mayest have mercy on whom Thou wishest, and deliver them from everlasting Gehenna.

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

O truly unfathomable Depth of goodness, by Thy grace have mercy upon Thy servant N., who hath angered Thee, and upon us who pray unto Thee.

Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Calling thee blessed, as is meet, O Birthgiver of God, in hope we flee unto thee as to our mother; and ourselves and our brother N., who through lack of faith hath ended his life, do we humbly commit unto thee, our helper, and with thee unto Christ God.

 

Prayer of the Venerable Elder Leo of Optina

O Lord, seek out the lost soul N., and, if it be possible, have mercy upon him. Unsearchable are Thy judgments, O Master. Hold not this my supplication to be a sin, but let Thy holy will be done. Amen.

 

Source: О молитве за самоубийц [On Prayer for Suicides], (Bryansk: Blagochestie, 1997), pp. 3-19. Translated by Reader Isaac E. Lambertsen (Monk Joseph, + 2017).