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A prayer
described as "akathist" is a prayer prayed standing, but the Akathist
of all Akathists, and the prayer one thinks of when one hears "the
Akathist" with no qualifiers, is this very Christological prayer to the
Mother of God (or "Theotokos," "God-Bearer"). It's a beautiful hymn,
and its titles for Our Lady recall the Litany
of Loreto. The author of this prayer is unknown for certain, but
tradition attributes it to St. Romanos the Melodist, who died in A.D.
556.
In the West, it is an indulgenced prayer (indulgenced by Pope Benedict
XIV in A.D. 1746); in the East, it is a liturgical prayer that either
is offered in 4 sections (as a part of Compline)
starting on the first four Fridays of Lent and then repeated in its
entirety on the fifth Friday of Lent, or is offered starting on the
fifth Friday before the Annunciation (25 March) as a preparation for
that Feast (this last is the original purpose of this hymn).
The first 7 sections deal, in chronological order, with the
Annunciation, the Incarnation, the Visitation, the Adoration of the
Shepherds, the Adoration of the Magi, the Flight into Egypt, and the
Presentation, which makes this not only a great prayer for the
Annunciation, but also a wonderful prayer for Christmastide. Its
emphasis on the Virgin's purity makes it fitting, too, for the Feast of
the Immaculate Conception (8 December).
The responses are given in italics at the side of the invocations and
praises.
Kontakion 1
To thee, the
Champion Leader, we thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and of
thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos: but as
thou art one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that can
be do thou deliver us, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Bride
Unwedded!
Oikos 1
An archangel was
sent from Heaven to say to the Theotokos: Rejoice! And beholding Thee,
O Lord, taking bodily form, he was amazed and with his bodiless voice
he stood crying to her such things as these:
Rejoice, thou
through whom joy will shine forth:
Rejoice, thou through whom the curse will cease!
Rejoice, recall of fallen Adam:
Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve!
Rejoice, height inaccessible to human thoughts:
Rejoice, depth undiscernible even for the eyes of angels!
Rejoice, for thou art the throne of the King:
Rejoice, for thou bearest Him Who beareth all!
Rejoice, star that causest the Sun to appear:
Rejoice, womb of the Divine Incarnation!
Rejoice, thou through whom creation is renewed:
Rejoice, thou through whom we worship the Creator!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
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Kontakion 2
Seeing herself
to be chaste, the holy one said boldly to Gabriel: The marvel of thy
speech is difficult for my soul to accept. How canst thou speak of a
birth from a seedless conception? And she cried: Alleluia!
Oikos 2
Seeking to know
knowledge that cannot be known, the Virgin cried to the ministering
one: Tell me, how can a son be born from a chaste womb? Then he spake
to her in fear, only crying aloud thus:
Rejoice,
initiate of God's ineffable will:
Rejoice, assurance of those who pray in silence!
Rejoice, beginning of Christ's miracles:
Rejoice, crown of His dogmas!
Rejoice, heavenly ladder by which God came down:
Rejoice, bridge that conveyest us from earth to Heaven!
Rejoice, wonder of angels sounded abroad:
Rejoice, wound of demons bewailed afar!
Rejoice, thou who ineffably gavest birth to the Light:
Rejoice, thou who didst reveal thy secret to none!
Rejoice, thou who surpassest the knowledge of the wise:
Rejoice, thou who givest light to the minds of the faithful!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
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Kontakion 3
The power of the
Most High then overshadowed the Virgin for conception, and showed her
fruitful womb as a sweet meadow to all who wish to reap salvation, as
they sing: Alleluia!
Oikos 3
Having received
God into her womb, the Virgin hastened to Elizabeth whose unborn babe
at once recognized her embrace, rejoiced, and with leaps of joy as
songs, cried to the Theotokos:
Rejoice, branch
of an Unfading Sprout:
Rejoice, acquisition of Immortal Fruit!
Rejoice, laborer that laborest for the Lover of mankind:
Rejoice, thou who givest birth to the Planter of our life!
Rejoice, cornland yielding a rich crop of mercies:
Rejoice, table bearing a wealth of forgiveness!
Rejoice, thou who makest to bloom the garden of delight:
Rejoice, thou who preparest a haven for souls!
Rejoice, acceptable incense of intercession:
Rejoice, propitiation of all the world!
Rejoice, good will of God to mortals:
Rejoice, boldness of mortals before God!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
|
Kontakion 4
Having within a
tempest of doubting thoughts, the chaste Joseph was troubled. For
knowing Thee to have no husband, he suspected a secret union, O
blameless one. But having learned that thy conception was of the Holy
Spirit, he said: Alleluia!
Oikos 4
While the angels
were chanting, the shepherds heard of Christ's coming in the flesh, and
having run to the Shepherd, they beheld Him as a blameless Lamb that
had been pastured in Mary's womb, and singing to her, they cried:
Rejoice, Mother
of the Lamb and the Shepherd:
Rejoice, fold of rational sheep!
Rejoice, torment of invisible enemies:
Rejoice, opening of the gates of Paradise!
Rejoice, for the things of Heaven rejoice with the earth:
Rejoice, for the things of earth join chorus with the heavens!
Rejoice, never-silent mouth of the Apostles:
Rejoice, invincible courage of the passion-bearers!
Rejoice, firm support of faith:
Rejoice, radiant token of Grace!
Rejoice, thou through whom Hades was stripped bare:
Rejoice, thou through whom we are clothed with glory!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
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Kontakion 5
Having sighted
the divinely-moving star, the Magi followed its radiance; and holding
it as a lamp, by it they sought a powerful King; and having reached the
Unreachable One, they rejoiced, shouting to Him: Alleluia!
Oikos 5
The sons of the
Chaldees saw in the hands of the Virgin Him Who with His hand made man.
And knowing Him to be the Master, even though He had taken the form of
a servant, they hastened to serve Him with gifts, and to cry to her who
is blessed:
Rejoice, Mother
of the Unsetting Star:
Rejoice, dawn of the mystic day!
Rejoice, thou who didst extinguish the furnace of error:
Rejoice, thou who didst enlighten the initiates of the Trinity!
Rejoice, thou who didst banish from power the inhuman tyrant:
Rejoice, thou who didst show us Christ the Lord, the Lover of mankind!
Rejoice, thou who redeemest from pagan worship:
Rejoice, thou who dost drag us from the works of mire!
Rejoice, thou who didst quench the worship of fire:
Rejoice, thou who rescuest from the flame of the passions!
Rejoice, guide of the faithful to chastity:
Rejoice, gladness of all generations!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
|
Kontakion 6
Having become
God-bearing heralds, the Magi returned to Babylon, having fulfilled Thy
prophecy; and having preached Thee to all as the Christ, they left
Herod as a babbler who knew not how to sing: Alleluia!
Oikos 6
By shining in
Egypt the light of truth, Thou didst dispel the darkness of falsehood;
for its idols fell, O Saviour, unable to endure Thy strength; and those
who were delivered from them cried to the Theotokos:
Rejoice,
uplifting of men:
Rejoice, downfall of demons!
Rejoice, thou who didst trample down the dominion of delusion:
Rejoice, thou who didst unmask the fraud of idols!
Rejoice, sea that didst drown the Pharaoh of the mind:
Rejoice, rock that doth refresh those thirsting for life!
Rejoice, pillar of fire that guideth those in darkness:
Rejoice, shelter of the world broader than a cloud!
Rejoice, sustenance replacing manna:
Rejoice, minister of holy delight!
Rejoice, land of promise:
Rejoice, thou from whom floweth milk and honey!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
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Kontakion 7
When Simeon was
about to depart this age of delusion, Thou wast brought as a Babe to
him, but Thou was recognized by him as perfect God also; wherefore,
marveling at Thine ineffable wisdom, he cried: Alleluia!
Oikos 7
The Creator
showed us a new creation when He appeared to us who came from Him. For
He sprang from a seedless womb, and kept it incorrupt as it was, that
seeing the miracle we might sing to her, crying out:
Rejoice, flower
of incorruptibility:
Rejoice, crown of continence!
Rejoice, thou from whom shineth the Archetype of the Resurrection:
Rejoice, thou who revealest the life of the angels!
Rejoice, tree of shining fruit, whereby the faithful are nourished:
Rejoice, tree of goodly shade by which many are sheltered!
Rejoice, thou that has carried in thy womb the Redeemer of captives:
Rejoice, thou that gavest birth to the Guide of those astray!
Rejoice, supplication before the Righteous Judge:
Rejoice, forgiveness of many sins!
Rejoice, robe of boldness for the naked:
Rejoice, love that doth vanquish all desire!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
|
Kontakion 8
Having beheld a
strange nativity, let us estrange ourselves from the world and
transport our minds to Heaven; for the Most High God appeared on earth
as a lowly man, because He wished to draw to the heights them that cry
to Him: Alleluia!
Oikos 8
Wholly present
was the Inexpressible Word among those here below, yet in no way absent
from those on high; for this was a divine condescension and not a
change of place, and His birth was from a God-receiving Virgin who
heard these things:
Rejoice,
container of the Uncontainable God:
Rejoice, door of solemn mystery!
Rejoice, report doubtful to unbelievers:
Rejoice, undoubted boast of the faithful!
Rejoice, all-holy chariot of Him Who sitteth upon the Cherubim:
Rejoice, all-glorious temple of Him Who is above the Seraphim!
Rejoice, thou who hast united opposites:
Rejoice, thou who hast joined virginity and motherhood!
Rejoice, thou through whom transgression hath been absolved:
Rejoice, thou through whom Paradise is opened!
Rejoice, key to the kingdom of Christ:
Rejoice, hope of eternal good things!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
|
Kontakion 9
All the angels
were amazed at the great act of Thine incarnation; for they saw the
Unapproachable God as a man approachable to all, abiding with us, and
hearing from all: Alleluia!
Oikos 9
We see most
eloquent orators mute as fish before Thee, O Theotokos; for they are at
a loss to tell how thou remainest a Virgin and could bear a child. But
we, marveling at this Mystery, cry out faithfully:
Rejoice,
receptacle of the Wisdom of God:
Rejoice, treasury of His Providence!
Rejoice, thou who showest philosophers to be fools:
Rejoice, thou who exposest the learned as irrational!
Rejoice, for the clever critics have become foolish:
Rejoice, for the writers of myths have faded away!
Rejoice, thou who didst rend the webs of the Athenians:
Rejoice, thou who didst fill the nets of the fishermen!
Rejoice, thou who drawest us from the depths of ignorance:
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest many with knowledge!
Rejoice, ship for those who wish to be saved:
Rejoice, harbor for sailors on the sea of life!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
|
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save
the world, He that is the Creator of all came to it according to His
Own promise, and He that, as God, is the Shepherd, for our sake
appeared unto us as a man; for like calling unto like, as God He
heareth: Alleluia!
Oikos 10
A bulwark art
thou to virgins, and to all that flee unto thee, O Virgin Theotokos;
for the Maker of Heaven and earth prepared thee, O most-pure one, dwelt
in thy womb, and taught all to call to thee:
Rejoice, pillar
of virginity:
Rejoice, gate of salvation!
Rejoice, leader of mental formation:
Rejoice, bestower of divine good!
Rejoice, for thou didst renew those conceived in shame:
Rejoice, for thou gavest wisdom to those robbed of their minds!
Rejoice, thou who didst foil the corrupter of minds:
Rejoice, thou who gavest birth to the Sower of purity!
Rejoice, bridechamber of a seedless marriage:
Rejoice, thou who dost wed the faithful to the Lord!
Rejoice, good nourisher of virgins:
Rejoice, adorner of holy souls as for marriage!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
|
Kontakion 11
Every hymn is
defeated that trieth to encompass the multitude of Thy many
compassions; for if we offer to Thee, O Holy King, songs equal in
number to the sand, nothing have we done worthy of that which Thou hast
given us who shout to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 11
We behold the
holy Virgin, a shining lamp appearing to those in darkness; for,
kindling the Immaterial Light, she guideth all to divine knowledge, she
illumineth minds with radiance, and is honored by our shouting these
things:
Rejoice, ray of
the noetic Sun:
Rejoice, radiance of the Unsetting Light!
Rejoice, lightning that enlightenest our souls:
Rejoice, thunder that terrifiest our enemies!
Rejoice, for thou didst cause the refulgent Light to dawn:
Rejoice, for thou didst cause the river of many streams to gush forth!
Rejoice, thou who paintest the image of the font:
Rejoice, thou who blottest out the stain of sin!
Rejoice, laver that washest the conscience clean:
Rejoice, cup that drawest up joy!
Rejoice, aroma of the sweet fragrance of Christ:
Rejoice, life of mystical gladness!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
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Kontakion 12
When the
Absolver of all mankind desired to blot out ancient debts, of His Own
will He came to dwell among those who had fallen from His Grace; and
having torn up the handwriting of their sins, He heareth this from all:
Alleluia!
Oikos 12
While singing to
thine Offspring, we all praise thee as a living temple, O Theotokos;
for the Lord Who holdeth all things in His hand dwelt in thy womb, and
He sanctified and glorified thee, and taught all to cry to thee:
Rejoice,
tabernacle of God the Word:
Rejoice, saint greater than the saints!
Rejoice, ark gilded by the Spirit:
Rejoice, inexhaustible treasury of life!
Rejoice, precious diadem of pious kings:
Rejoice, venerable boast of reverent priests!
Rejoice, unshakable fortress of the Church:
Rejoice, inviolable wall of the kingdom!
Rejoice, thou through whom victories are obtained:
Rejoice, thou through whom foes fall prostrate!
Rejoice, healing of my flesh:
Rejoice, salvation of my soul!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
|
Kontakion 13
O all-praised
Mother who didst bear the Word, holiest of all the saints, accept now
our offering, and deliver us from all misfortune, and rescue from the
torment to come those that cry to thee: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O all-praised Mother who didst bear the Word, holiest of all the
saints, accept now our offering, and deliver us from all misfortune,
and rescue from the torment to come those that cry to thee: Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O all-praised Mother who didst bear the Word, holiest of all the
saints, accept now our offering, and deliver us from all misfortune,
and rescue from the torment to come those that cry to thee: Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Repetition
of Kontakion and 1 Oikos 1
Kontakion
1
To thee, the
Champion Leader, we thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and of
thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos: but as
thou art one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that can
be do thou deliver us, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Unwedded
Bride!
Oikos 1
An archangel was
sent from Heaven to say to the Theotokos: Rejoice! And beholding Thee,
O Lord, taking bodily form, he was amazed and with his bodiless voice
he stood crying to her such things as these:
Rejoice, thou
through whom joy will shine forth:
Rejoice, thou through whom the curse will cease!
Rejoice, recall of fallen Adam:
Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve!
Rejoice, height inaccessible to human thoughts:
Rejoice, depth undiscernible even for the eyes of angels!
Rejoice, for thou art the throne of the King:
Rejoice, for thou bearest Him Who beareth all!
Rejoice, star that causest the Sun to appear:
Rejoice, womb of the Divine Incarnation!
Rejoice, thou through whom creation is renewed:
Rejoice, thou through whom we worship the Creator!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded! |
Rejoice,
O Bride
Unwedded!
|
Prayer to the Theotokos
Our most
gracious Queen, our hope, O Theotokos, who receivest the orphaned and
art the intercessor for the stranger; the joy of those in sorrow,
protectress of the wronged, see our distress, see our affliction! Help
us, for we are helpless. Feed us, for we are strangers and pilgrims.
Thou knowest our offences; forgive them, and resolve them as thou dost
will. For we know no other help but thee, no other intercessor, no
gracious comforter, only thee, O Theotokos to guard and protect us for
ages of ages. Amen.
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