Difference between revisions of "Akathist"
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*[[Nicholas of Myra]] [http://www.ortodoksi.net/liturgiset_tekstit/akatistohymnit/akatistos_Pyhalle_Nikolaokselle.htm 1] (Finnish) | *[[Nicholas of Myra]] [http://www.ortodoksi.net/liturgiset_tekstit/akatistohymnit/akatistos_Pyhalle_Nikolaokselle.htm 1] (Finnish) | ||
*[[Nicholas II of Russia|Nicholas II, Tsar and Emperor of All Russia, the Passion-bearer]] - [http://www.serfes.org/royal/akathist.htm 1], [http://www.angelfire.com/nv2/carthusian/Akathist/nicholas.html 2], [http://www.rocor.org.au/stjohntheforerunnerchurch/articles/akathist.html 3] | *[[Nicholas II of Russia|Nicholas II, Tsar and Emperor of All Russia, the Passion-bearer]] - [http://www.serfes.org/royal/akathist.htm 1], [http://www.angelfire.com/nv2/carthusian/Akathist/nicholas.html 2], [http://www.rocor.org.au/stjohntheforerunnerchurch/articles/akathist.html 3] | ||
− | *St. Nilus, Wonder-worker of Sora - [http://www.saintnilus.org/akathist.html 1] | + | *St. Nilus, Wonder-worker of Sora - [http://www.saintnilus.org/akathist.html 1] [http://www.ortodoksi.net/liturgiset_tekstit/akatistohymnit/akatistos_nil_sorskille.htm 2] -(Finnish) |
*[[Panteleimon]] | *[[Panteleimon]] | ||
*[[Paraskeve]] | *[[Paraskeve]] |
Revision as of 10:20, May 6, 2007
An akathist (Greek, akathistos) is a hymn dedicated to a saint, holy event, or one of the persons of the Holy Trinity. The word akathist itself means "not sitting." The akathist par excellence is that written in the 6th century to the Theotokos. In its use as part of the Salutations to the Theotokos service (used in the Byzantine tradition during Great Lent), it is often known by its Greek or Arabic names, Chairetismoi and Madayeh, respectively.
The writing of akathists (occasionally spelled acathist) continues today as part of the general composition of an akolouthia, especially in the Slavic tradition, although not all are widely known nor translated beyond the original language. Isaac E. Lambertsen has done a large amount of translation work, including many different akathists. Most of the newer akathists are pastiche, that is, a generic form imitating the original 6th century akathist into which a particular saint's name is inserted.
Contents
Structure
The Trisagion Prayers are often said as a prelude to the akathist hymn. The akathist hymn itself is divided into thirteen parts, each of which has a kontakion and an oikos. The kontakion usually ends with the exclamation: "Alleluia!" Within the latter part of the oikos comes an anaphoric entreaty, such as "Come!" or "Rejoice!" The thirteenth kontakion (which does not have a corresponding ikos) is usually followed by the repetition of the first ikos and kontakion. After the thirteen kontakia and ikoi, additional prayers are added, such as a troparion and another kontakion. In some akathists, Psalms are also included.
Akathists
Relating to the Trinity
Akathist to
- the Holy Trinity
- Our Lord, the Most Sweet Jesus - 1, 2, 3, 4 5 (Finnish)
- Jesus Christ for a Loved One who has Fallen Asleep
- the Divine Passion of Christ - 1, 2 3 (Finnish)
- Jesus, Light to those in Darkness - 1 (PDF)
- the Holy Spirit [1] (Finnish)
Relating to the Theotokos
When the word akathist is used alone, it most commonly refers to the original hymn by this name, the 6th century Akathist to the Theotokos, attributed to St. Roman the Melodist (though this attribution is hotly debated). This hymn is often split into four parts and sung at the "Salutations to the Theotokos" service on the first four Friday evenings in Great Lent; the entire Akathist is then sung on the fifth Friday evening. Traditionally it is included in the Orthros of the fifth Saturday of Great Lent. In monasteries of Athonite tradition, the whole Akathist is usually inserted nightly at Compline.
The four sections into which the Akathist is divided correspond to the themes of the Annunciation, Nativity, Christ, and the Theotokos herself.
The hymn itself forms an alphabetical acrostic—that is, each oikos ("house," possibly from the Syriac terminology) begins with a letter of the Greek alphabet, in order—and it consists of twelve long and twelve short oikoi. Each of the long oikoi include a seven-line stanza followed by six couplets, employing rhyme, assonance, and alliteration, beginning with the word Chaire (translated as either "Hail!" or "Rejoice!") and ending with the refrain, "Hail, Bride without bridegroom!" In the short oikoi, the seven-line stanza is followed by the refrain, "Alleluia!"
The Salutations to the Theotokos service, often known by its Greek name, the Chairetismoi (from the Chaire! so often used in the hymn), consists of Compline with the Akathist hymn inserted. It is known in Arabic as the Madayeh.
Akathist of the
- Birth of the Theotokos
- Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple
- Annunciation
- Protection (or Covering) of the Theotokos
- Dormition of the Theotokos
Akathist to the
- Holy Virgin Theotokos (by St. Roman the Melodist)
- English - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (PDF)
- Other - 14 (English/Arabic), 15 (French), 16 (German-PDF), 17 (Greek), 18 (Spanish) 19 (Finnish)
- Burning Bush of the Theotokos - 1 (Romanian)
- Most Holy Theotokos of the Portal of Iviron - 1
- Theotokos of All Protection - 1, 2
Akathist to the Theotokos,
- All-Venerable Abbess to Monasteries of the Entire World
- Daughter of Zion - 1 (PDF)
- the Deliverer
- the Door-keeper
- the Enricher of the Harvest
- the Inexhaustible Cup - 1, 2
- Joy of All Who Sorrow - 1
- Nurturer of Children - 1
- Queen of All (Pantanassa, or "Healer of Cancer") - 1, 2
- Spring of Healing
- Swift to Aid
- Unexpected Joy
Akathist to the Theotokos for Reconciliation
Akathist to the Theotokos at her
- Wonder-working Kursk Root Icon of the Sign - 1 (Russian)
- Icon "Stay of Our Sorrows" (or "Assuage My Sorrow")
- Weeping Icon of Boian (Bojan)
- Icon of Felixstowe - 1
- Wonder-working Icon of Tikhvin - 1 (PDF)
Akathist to the Theotokos at the
- Wonder-working Icon of Crasna
- Icon of Seven Arrows (Icon of the Prophecy of Simeon)
Relating to the Great Feasts
Akathist of the
- Birth of the Theotokos
- Holy Cross - 1
- Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple
- Nativity of Christ - 1 (PDF), [2] (Finnish)
- Annunciation
- Dormition of the Theotokos
Relating to Saints
Singular - Akathist to St.
- Alexander of Svir (Syväri) - 1 (Finnish)
- Alexis, Man of God
- Anthony the Great
- Arsenius of Konevits - 1 (Finnish)
- David the Prophet, King of Israel - 1
- Demetrios the Great Martyr
- Dimitri Basarabov
- Elijah the Prophet
- Elizabeth the New Martyr (Grand Duchess) - 1, 2, 3
- George the Trophy-bearer and Great Martyr
- Gregory Palamas
- Guthlac of Crowland - 1
- Herman of Alaska - 1 (PDF)
- Ignaty Brianchovich - 1
- Innocent of Alaska - 1, 2, 3 (PDF)
- Jacob of Alaska - 1 (PDF)
- John the Forerunner
- John the Theologian
- John of Kronstadt - 1 (Finnish)
- John of Shanghai and San Francisco - 1, 2, 3
- John the New (of Suceava)
- Joseph the Betrothed [3] (Finnish)
- St. Juliana of Lazarevo - 1
- Mary Magdalene
- Maximus Sandovich, Protomartyr of the Lemko people
- Menas the Wonder-worker
- Nektarios of Pentapolis - 1 2 -(Finnish)
- Nicholas of Myra 1 (Finnish)
- Nicholas II, Tsar and Emperor of All Russia, the Passion-bearer - 1, 2, 3
- St. Nilus, Wonder-worker of Sora - 1 2 -(Finnish)
- Panteleimon
- Paraskeve
- Philothea
- Raphael of Brooklyn - 1, 2, 3
- Seraphim of Sarov 1 (Finnish)
- Simon the Zealot, Apostle and Evangelist
- Spyridon of Trymithous
- Tikhon of Moscow - 1
- Trifon (Tryphon) of Pechenga (Petsamo) - 1 (Finnish)
- Xenia of St. Petersburg 1 (Finnish)
Plural - Akathist to
- All Saints 1 (Romanian)
- the Chinese martyr saints who died in the Boxer Rebellion - 1 (PDF), 2
- SS. Peter and Paul
- SS. Sergei and Herman of Valaam - 1 (Finnish)
Local/Diocesan Saints
Relating to Angels
Akathist to the
Other Akathists
- Akathist for Holy Communion - 1 2 (Finnish)
- Akathist to the Tomb and the Resurrection of the Lord - 1 2 (Finnish)
- Akathist to the Resurrection of Christ 1 (Finnish)
- Akathist "Glory to God for All Things" - The Akathist is often attributed to Priest Gregory Petrov who died in a Soviet prison camp in 1940, but also to Metropolitan Tryphon (Prince Boris Petrovich Turkestanov) +1934. The title is from the words of St. John Chrysostom as he was dying in exile. It is a song of praise from amidst the most terrible sufferings. - 1, 2
- Akathist of Thanksgiving (by Metropolitan Tryphon (Turkestanov)) - 1, 2 (Finnish)
- Akathist in Praise of God's Creation (by Metropolitan Tryphon (Turkestanov)) - 1
- Akathist for the Repose of the Departed - 1 2 (Finnish)
External links
- Akathists in Finnish
- Akathists in Slavonic
- Akathist Hymn (MOV; sound file) chanted by Eikona
- How to Read Canons and Akathists when praying alone
- True Mother of God, Thee do we magnify: A commentary on the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God
- Akathists For All Occasions: Praying from East to West by Alexander Roman (Greek Catholic)
- Akathists written by Alexander Roman
- Akathist Rubrics
- The order for reading canons and akathists when alone
- Akathist to the Derzhavnaya Icon of the Mother of God CD for sale with sample mp3 tracks
- The Akathist Hymn, including a brief outline of the structure of the Akathist to the Theotokos
- The Akathist Hymn by Fr. Luke Hartung
- Akathist with a brief outline
- PDF, with western notation
- Akathists and Canons, online