The present Supplicatory Canon to the Comforter Panagia of Arta was composed based on our earlier hymnographic works, both as an expression of supplication and honor to the Most Holy Theotokos, and as an offering of love to the particularly beloved Reverend Protopresbyter Fr. Dimitrios Athanasiou (Professor of Chemistry) and his esteemed Presbytera Charoula Tsouliayi (Professor of Philology), in remembrance of their entrustment to my humility, of the reconstruction in the hymnographic language of Greek-speaking Orthodoxy, of the Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Spirit, by our Holy Father Maximus the Greek.

Regarding the Diocese of Epirus, reference is made subsequently by the highly respected Professor Mr. Vlasios Savvidis, in his extensive Introductory Historical Note, which he kindly provided for the sake of this publication.

Furthermore, concerning the splendid Byzantine Church of the Comforter in Arta, which was initially erected by the piety of the Queen of Arta, St. Theodora, in its form known to us, it was brought by the love for the Theotokos, as well as for the martyred mother, of her son, the Holy Bishop of Epirus, Nikiforos I; an extensive discussion follows by Fr. Dimitrios, whose love for the Theotokos, scientific training, and local knowledge allowed for the writing of the Introduction that follows.

We simply wish to remind the pious readers of this work that our Panagia is the only "consolation of souls," as she holds the position immediately after the Holy Trinity in the spiritual life of Orthodox Christians. Therefore, in a time of great turmoil, like our own, in a time of spiritual pain, sorrow, and insecurity, as well as persecution of Faith in many instances, the Most Holy Theotokos is the only one who can comfort (as the Comforter), console (as Consolation), and lead us to Her Son (as Guide).

This is our wish for all, through the intercessions of the Saints who sanctified Arta and continue to sanctify it; of St. Theodora the Queen, of St. Parthenius, Bishop of Radovysdi, of the Venerable Theoharis and Apostle, of the New Martyr Zacharias, and of St. Maximus the Greek.