When it is said
A priest says it near the end of a short service of prayer (a moleben) for people who suffer from drink or drugs.
The service’s litany also prays for their relatives and friends, who weep and wait for Christ’s comfort.
At home a parent, a husband or a wife might pray it for someone they love.
Where it comes from
No author known
A service approved in 2014
The Russian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod approved this service on 25 July 2014. In its reading from Ephesians, Paul warns, “Do not get drunk on wine,” but “be filled with the Spirit.” This prayer comes near the end, shortly before the blessing that closes the service.
Church Slavonic text of the service and the note on its approval, Azbyka
Why St Boniface?
The service ends by asking the prayers of the martyr Boniface. Russians who fight drink often pray to him. One reason given is his own past. His Life says he was a slave in Rome who lived in sin with his rich mistress, then died a martyr at Tarsus. Another is a mix-up with Boniface the Merciful, a bishop remembered the same day, who multiplied wine by miracles and used it for good.
The dismissal of the service, Azbyka; A New Service of Intercession for Those Suffering From Alcohol and Drug Dependence, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, 2009; The martyr Boniface of Tarsus: Life, Azbyka
What the words mean
Drink or drugs
In two places the Slavonic gives the priest a choice of word. He prays about drink or about drug addiction, to fit the person being prayed for. The plain wording keeps both words, so the prayer can be said for either.
The Scripture in it
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Bible text: Berean Standard Bible, public domain.
In Church Slavonic
Влады́ко Го́споди, сотвори́вый челове́ка по о́бразу Твоему́ и по подо́бию, и Ду́ха Свята́го тому́ дарова́вый!
Изба́ви па́дшее созда́ние Твое́ от рабо́ты вра́жия, отве́рзи ему́ две́ри покая́ния,
А́нгела све́тла посли́ ему́, избавля́юща от вся́каго наве́та вра́жия.
Услы́ши, Бо́же,
припа́дающих к Тебе́ в ско́рби и печа́ли и не отврати́ лица́ Твоего́ от одержи́мых па́губною стра́стию винопи́тия (или́: наркома́нии),
но даждь им кре́пость, наде́жду, ве́ру,
произволе́ние благо́е утверди́ и приведи́ их ко спаси́тельному воздержа́нию,
попали́ те́рние согреше́ний во́льных и нево́льных, да всели́тся в них благода́ть Твоя́,
просвеща́ющая и очища́ющая всего́ челове́ка.
Исцели́ их от тя́жкаго неду́га пия́нства (или́: наркома́нии),
свободи́ от омраче́ния духо́внаго и окамене́ния серде́чнаго.
Да́руй им здра́вие душе́вное и теле́сное, напра́ви на путь трудолю́бия и благоче́стия.
Услы́ши, Ми́лостивый Го́споди, вопль роди́телей и сро́дников, пла́чущих о ча́дех и бли́жних свои́х.
Твое́ бо есть е́же ми́ловати и спаса́ти ны, Бо́же наш, и Тебе́ сла́ву возсыла́ем, Отцу́, и Сы́ну,
и Свято́му Ду́ху, ны́не и при́сно, и во ве́ки веко́в.