The 150 Angelic Salutation of the Christian Orthodox Prayer Rope of Saint Seraphim of Sarov

Saint Seraphim Sarov one of the most beloved saint in the orthodox slavic world and beyond who lived in the russian forest as a hermit. Reading about the life of Saint Seraphim of Sarov is always inspiring for all Christians.

Thanks to him a devotion of the 8th century that consist in 150 angelical salutation to the Mother of God was rediscover.

Its said that the Mother of God herself request this prayer. In the church of Rome this evolved in the catholic latin rosary as we know today loosing much of the original form.

In the church of the east has been remained in the original form. Probably it was put aside to distinc the two churches with schism.

Today the original orthodox version has been back in its great splendor to praise the Mother of God.

To say this beautiful prayer you can use an original orthodox prayer rope (its different from the latin roman rosary with 150 beads devided every 10 beads that you can buy from

In alternative you might use a latin roman rosary but I do not advise to do so as it will look strange for christian orthodox to see someone praying using a latin roman tool in an orthodox church.

The prayer must be said reminding the 15 moments of the life of the Mother of God as following:

Birth of the Theotokos

Presentation of the Theotokos

Annunciation

Visitation to Elizabeth

Birth of Christ

Meeting of the Lord

Flight into Egypt

Loss of Jesus in Jerusalem

Miracle in Cana of Galilee

Theotokos standing by the Cross

Resurrection of Christ

Ascension of Christ

Descent of Holy Spirit

Dormition of Theotokos

Glory of Theotokos

For every moment 10 Angelic salutation must be prayed as folllowing:

Theotokos Virgin, rejoice, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Savior of our souls.

That comes from the original translation of the Greek text:

Θεοτ?κε Παρθ?νε, χα?ρε, κεχαριτωμ?νη Μαρ?α, ? Κ?ριος μετ? σο?. ε?λογημ?νη σ? ?ν γυναιξ?, κα? ε?λογημ?νος ? καρπ?ς τ?ς κοιλ?ας σου, ?τι Σωτ?ρα ?τεκες τ?ν ψυχ?ν ?μ?ν

When it comes to translation there are severals other versions that are all similar but with small variation. I would advise for those that wish to learn how to pray in the ancient Greek version.

Some people before and starting and ending the prayer use to some church hymn (Troparion).