When
Father Cleopa Ilie (reposed 1998) was abbot of Sihastria Monastery in Romania, he and his
monks were, for a time, continually beset by a gang of outlaws. Seeking help for their situation, he inquired
of Bishop Valerian of Neamts. The
Bishop’s answer? Read the Akathist Hymn to the Protection of the Mother of God once each week and the entire Psalter
each day. This was done by Abbot Cleopa
(and continues to this day at the monastery); the outlaws were brought to
justice; and Sihastria ‘has spiritually flourished through the intercessions of
the Most Pure Theotokos’ (Archimandrite Ioanichie Balan, Shepherd of Souls, St Herman Press, 2007, pgs. 96-7, quote at 97).
Now,
if this is what was necessary to deliver Sihastria Monastery from a band of
ordinary outlaws, it is at least just as necessary for us in the South to
follow this cycle of readings and chantings if we are to be delivered from those
who are attacking us - we who are afflicted by social engineers intent on
reshaping man and the world to conform to the image of their master, the devil.
Let
there be no delay! According to the
abilities of each, read from the Akathist to the Protection of the Mother of
God and from the Psalms every day.
May
our merciful and loving God and Savior Jesus Christ grant the South deliverance
from our enemies and spiritual rebirth through the prayers of His Most Holy
Mother! Amen!
The
Akathist Hymn may be downloaded here:
(Icon available from this web site: http://www.bostonmonks.com/product_info.php/cPath/27_49/products_id/149)
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