The Prayer Rule of the Theotokos of Saint Seraphim of Sarov

History of the Prayer Rules of the Theotokos:

Very little is, indeed, known about the history of the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos. There is a tradition that the Egyptian monks of the Thebaid prayed 150 Angelic Salutations grouped into 15 groups of ten, after the pattern of the Psalms. Beyond this, what we do know has come down to us from a certain Father Zosima. He was a spiritual son of the great 19th Century Russian Orthodox said, Seraphim of Sarov. Here is the message left to us from the holy priest, Father Zosima:

         I forgot to give you a piece of advice vital for salvation. Say the Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos one hundred and fifty times, and this prayer will lead you on the way to salvation. This rule was given by the Mother of God herself in about the eighth century, and at one time all Christians fulfilled it. We Orthodox have forgotten about it, and Saint Seraphim has reminded me of this Rule. In my hands I have a hand-written book from the cell of Saint Seraphim, containing a description of the many miracles which took place through praying to the Mother of God and especially through saying one hundred and fifty times the Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos. If, being unaccustomed to it, it is difficult to master one hundred and fifty repetitions daily, say it fifty times at first. After every ten repetitions say the "Our Father" once and "Open unto us the door of your loving-kindness." Whomever he spoke to about this miracle-working Rules remained grateful to him.

The Prayer Rules as prayed by Saint Seraphim has come down to us by means of his notebook. The fifteen mysteries and the prayers introducing each mystery are those of our holy father, Saint Seraphim himself. The prayers which follow each decade were composed by an Orthodox nun who was a spiritual disciple of Saint Seraphim.

          - As written in the book The Prayer Rule of the Theotokos of Saint Seraphim of Sarov published  by Chi Rho Publishing

(From the blogger: This is proof of ancient devotion to the Mother of God, especially through the Angelic Salutation, from the Orthodox East and demonstrates that devotion to the Mother of God is universal in both the Eastern and Western Church. Ave Maria!)