AParaklesis (Greek:Παράκλησις,Slavonic: молебенъ) orSupplicatory Canon in theByzantine Rite, is a service ofsupplication for the welfare of the living. It is addressed to a specificSaint or to the Most HolyTheotokos whose intercessions are sought through the chanting of the supplicatorycanon together withpsalms,hymns, andlitanies.
The most popular Paraklesis is that in which the supplicatory canon and other hymns are addressed to the Most HolyTheotokos (theMother of God). There are two forms of this service: theSmall Paraklesis (composed by Theosterictus the Monk in the 9th century), and theGreat Paraklesis (composed by EmperorTheodore II Laskaris in the 13th century). During the majority of the year, only the Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos is chanted. However, during theDormition Fast (August 1—14, inclusive), theTypikon[citation needed] prescribes that the Small and Great Paraklesis be chanted on alternate evenings, according to the following regulations:
In theRussian Orthodox Church, the equivalent of a Paraklesis is themoleben,molében (Slavonic: молебенъ),molieben,service of intercession orservice of supplication, which is similar in structure, except that the canon is omitted, retaining only the refrains andIrmoi of the third, sixth and ninthodes. When the full service itself is performed, it is called the "Supplicatory Canon" (Molebnyj Kanon). It is used in honor ofJesus Christ, theMother of God, aFeast, or a particularsaint ormartyr.
The present form of theMoleben originated inSlavic culture, but its use is now widespread both inEurope and in the Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches that follow the Slavic tradition. Whereas the Paraklesis includes as its principal focus thecanon to the subject being honored, theMoleben omits theodes of the canon and includes only the simple refrains that occur between the odes.
Molebens are traditionally served by apriest, but may also be done as areader's service (i.e., the format used when served by a layperson or deacon; omitting or replacing those portions normally chanted by the priest). It is the custom to celebrate amoleben service only in honor of aglorified saint, and when possible the service is done in front of anicon of the person or feast to whom theMoleben is celebrated. Sometimes anAkathist will be chanted during the celebration of aMoleben.
The general outline of aMoleben is based on the service ofMatins, as served on a feast day, complete with a Gospel reading.
Molebens may be (a)occasional (i.e., served according to need), for instance for one who is ill or going on a journey; they may be (b)commemorative (assigned to a particular day), such as the beginning of the new year, or when children begin school; or they may be (c)devotional (in honor of a particular saint).
Molebens are very important in the Russian Orthodox tradition, and an entire volume of theGreat Euchologion is devoted to them. Mostmolebens are served in the church, but they may also be served in homes, fields, schools or other appropriate places.
Molebens may also be served inprocessions. The procession may be going to a particular place, such as during apilgrimage, or it may circle around the outside of the church building (this is very common on the feast day of thePatron Saint of the church or monastery, and duringBright Week). When a processionalMoleben circles around the church, very often the procession will pause on each of the four sides of the building, and the bishop or priest will sprinkleholy water on the church, theicons and people that are taking part in the procession.
The office of theParaclisis and the hymnAkathistos are recognized within the Eastern Rite Catholic Church.
TheEnchiridion Indulgentiarum of 2004 confirmed the plenaryindulgence on condition that it is recited piously in a church or oratory (even alone), in a family, religious community, an association of Christ's faithful or, more generally, in a meeting of a plurality of people who come together honestly for this purpose. In other circumstances, partial indulgence is permitted.[1]
