Celebration of the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God

Sung in Greek

• 28 Mars 2025         6.30 pm:

   

     The celebration will be streamed live and can be seen at this link: maidenlane.org.uk/live

 

Celebration of the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God

Sung in Greek

• 6.30 pm:

   

     The celebration will be streamed live and can be seen at this link: maidenlane.org.uk/live

 

 

 

The Akasthist Hymm

 

 

The Akathist Hymn

Introduction

The Akathistos is a liturgical hymn in honour of our Lady sung in churches of the Byzantine rite (whether Catholic or Orthodox), divided in four parts during the office of complines of the first four Fridays of Lent and in its entirety as part of matins on the fifth Saturday, which is accordingly called ‘Akathistos Saturday’. It is also in use at all times of the year for private devotion.

This profound liturgical poem, which sings the praises of the Holy Mother of God (the “Theotokos”) and Ever-Virgin Mary is not only the most famous work of Byzantine hymnography -the  famous byzantiniste Louis Bréhier said: “By its elegant form, by the depth of the mystical feeling and the musical beauty of the words, the Akathist is unique in Byzantine literature” - but for some is also “the most beautiful, most profound, the most ancient Marian Hymn in all Christian literature”. Fr. Vincent McNabb O.P., a close friend of G.K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc, in the forward remarks to his translation of the Hymn into English published in 1934 stated "No apology is needed for introducing the Akathistos to the Christian West. Indeed, the West might well be apologetic about its neglect, or ignorance of such a liturgical and literary masterpiece". But the Akathist Hymn was not always strange to the Latin West: A Latin version was written down around 800 by Christopher, Bishop of Olivolo (Venice) who called it “Hymnus sancte Dei Genitricis Marie Victoriferus atque salutatorius”, which had enormous influence on the piety of the Western middle age.

Later, in the XVIII century, an indulgence of fifty days has been granted to Catholics of both Eastern and Latin rites by Pope Benedict XIV (Ex auditu sancti Pontificis, 4th May, 1746) for each recitation of the Akathistos of the Eastern rite the indulgence has been (increased for the eastern Catholics by the ‘Notificatio’ of the Sacred Congregation of the Eastern Church of 1943), and a plenary indulgence for its recitation on the day of the Annunciation of our Lady.

In the current time a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite the Akathistos hymn (at least one of its parts) in a church or in an oratory, or in a family, in a religious community, in an association of faithful and in a general way when several faithful gather for one honest end. (In other cases the indulgence is partial).

Pope Benedict XVI said: “The venerable Akathist hymn to the Mother of God represents one of the highest expressions of the Marian piety of the Byzantine tradition. Praying with these words opens wide the heart and disposes it to the peace that is from above, from God, to that peace which is Christ himself, born of Mary for our salvation.”

Constantinople, the 'Queen City', from the very beginning closely allied itself to the Virgin Mary and always sort Her protection or intercessions. The historical lesson in the Byzantine divine office assigns the observance of the singing of this hymn to the year 626 when Constantinople was attacked by the Persians and Avars and was in the greatest danger. The patriarch led his people (the emperor was absent from the capital) in procession round the city walls, the clergy carrying the image (eikon) of our Saviour ‘not-made-with-hands’ (St Veronica’s veil), the image of our Lady, the great relic of the true Cross, with other pictures and relics, all calling on our Lord and his all-holy Mother to protect their sacred city, the ‘New Rome’.

Encouraged by this, the defenders made more and more daring sallies, whose success was confirmed by a mighty wind which arose and scattered the enemy fleet, casting up its vessels on the shore near the church of the Mother of God at Blachernae.

The faithful of Constantinople spontaneously filled the Church of the Theotokos at Vlachernae on the Golden Horn, and with the Patriarch Sergius officiating, they prayed all night singing praises to the Virgin Mary without sitting. Hence the title of the Hymn "Akathistos", meaning in Greek 'not seated' (a- [without, not] + káthizo [sitting]) latin “sine sessione”. ‘The Not-sitting Hymn’; henceforward the clergy and people are always standing in church to sing our Lady’s praise, in imitation of the traditional first occasion on which it was sung.

The first song, called the “kontakion”, starts with the words “To thee, the Champion leader’ (Literally that word meant “comander” or “general” and: “defender”). This is the only part of the office immediately related to the victory of 626, but the Hymn itself which consists in the "Salutations to the Theotokos" (wich can remind us the more modern western Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loreto) existed before, but after this victory became a very important and indeed an integral part of the byzantine religious and ecclesiastical life and then has never ceased to be used in the Byzantine liturgy for 1400 years.

Fr Gabriel Díaz-Patri

 

 

 

 

The short office of the Akathistos

 

Priest: Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

 

Reader: Glory to thee, our God; glory to thee.

Heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and take up thine abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.  (Thrice and three reverences making the sign of the cross.)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from the Evil One.

Priest For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

Kontakion

Choir: To Thee, the Champion Leader, I, Thy City, dedicate a hymn 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 Unbrided! 

 

Akathistos Hymn

Part one

Ikos 1

Priest: An angel chieftain was sent from Heaven to greet the Theotokos with Hail! 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 Unbrided!

Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

 

Ikos 2

Priest: 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!

Choir: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Priest: 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 Unbrided!

Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

 

Ikos 4

Priest: 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!

Choir: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Priest: 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 Unbrided!

Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

 

Ikos 6

Priest: 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!

Choir: Alleluia.

 Kontakion

Choir: To Thee, the Champion Leader, I, Thy City, dedicate a hymn 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 Unbrided! 

Part four

Ikos 10

Priest: 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 Unbrided!

Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

 

Kontakion 11

Priest: 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!

Choir: Alleluia.

 

Ikos 11

Priest: 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 Unbrided!

Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

 

 

Kontakion 12

Priest: 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!

Choir: Alleluia.

 

Ikos 12

Priest: 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 Unbrided!

Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

 

 

Kontakion 13

Priest: O all-praised Mother Who didst bear the Word, holiest of all the saints, (This verse is sung three times) accept now our offering, and deliver us from all misfortune, and rescue from the torment to come those that cry to Thee: Alleluia!

Choir: Alleluia.

 

 

Ikos 1  (Repeated)

Priest: An angel chieftain sent from Heaven to greet the Theotokos with Hail! 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 Unbrided!

Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

 

Kontakion

Choir: To Thee, the Champion Leader, I, Thy City, dedicate a hymn 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 Unbrided! 

 

The Reader repeats the prayers (Page 1): Holy God…, Glory to the Father… O all-holy Trinity… Lord, have mercy. (Thrice) Glory to the Father… Our Father… Priest: For thine is the kingdom… Reader: Amen.

Litany:

Let us pray for the peace of the world. Choir. Kyrie eleison.

For our Pope N. for our Bishop N., and for all our brethren in Christ: Choir: Kyrie eleison.

For our fathers and for our brethren. Choir: Kyrie eleison.

For those who are kind to us and who serve us. Choir: Kyrie eleison.

For those who hate us and who love us. Choir: Kyrie eleison.

For those who have enjoined us to pray for though we are unworthy. Choir: Kyrie eleison.

For the release of prisoners; Choir: Kyrie eleison.

For those who sail upon the sea: Choir: Kyrie eleison. 

For those who lie sick: Choir: Kyrie eleison. 

Let us pray, also, for abundance of the fruits of the earth: Choir: Kyrie eleison.

And for every soul of the true believers Christians: Choir: Kyrie eleison.

For the Bishops faithful to the true faith: Choir: Kyrie eleison.

For the wardens of this holy Temple: Choir: Kyrie eleison.

For all our parents and brethren who departed this life before us, and all the true believers, who here, and in all the world, lie asleep in the Lord: Choir: Kyrie eleison.

Let us say also for ourselves the Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison.

 

End of the office:

Priest: Wisdom.

Reader: More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee.

In the Name of the Lord, Bless Father.

Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, have mercy upon us, O Lord Jesus Christ our God.

Choir: Amen.

 

Devotional song in honour of our Lady

Plagal First Tone

O Virgin pure, O Lady /  immaculate Theotokos. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

O Virgin Mother, Queen of all / and fleece which is all dewy. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

More radiant than the rays of sun / and higher than the heavens. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

Delight of virgin choruses / superior to Angels. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

Much brighter than the firmament / and purer than the sun's light. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

More holy than the multitude / of all the heavenly armies. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

 

O Ever Virgin Mary / of all the world, the Lady. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

O bride all pure, immaculate / O Lady All-Holy. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

O Mary bride and Queen of all / our cause of jubilation. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

Majestic maiden, Queen of all / O our most holy Mother. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

More honorable than Cherubim / beyond compare more glorious than [...] Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

[…] immaterial Seraphim / and greater than angelic thrones. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

 

Rejoice, O song of Cherubim / Rejoice, O hymn of angels. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

Rejoice, O ode of Seraphim / the joy of the archangels. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

Rejoice, O peace and happiness / the harbor of salvation. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

O sacred chamber of the Word / flow'r of incorruption. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

Rejoice, delightful paradise / of blessed life eternal. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

Rejoice, O wood and tree of life / the fount of immortality. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

 

I supplicate you, Lady / now do I call upon you. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

And I beseech you, Queen of all / I beg of you your favor. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

Majestic maiden, spotless one / O Lady All-Holy. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

I call upon you fervently / O sacred, hallowed temple. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

Assist me and deliver me / protect me from the enemy. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!

And make me an inheritor / of blessed life eternal. Choir: Rejoice, O Bride Unbrided!