Akathist

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Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

An akathist 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 writing of akathists (occasionally spelled acathist) continues today, 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.

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 ikos. The kontakion usually ends with the exclamation: "Alleluia!" Within the latter part of the ikos 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.

Akathist to the Theotokos

When the word akathist is used alone, it most commonly refers to the Akathist to the Theotokos, attributed to St. Romanos the Melodist. 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.

Akathists

For the following lists, when the word Akathist is linked, it links to the particular akathist hymn described in that line. Where more of the same akathist have been found, the links will follow on the next line, indented, referencing information such as file type and language. (English text or html files are considered the default.) The links for the remainder of the line lead to the relevant OrthodoxWiki page for more information on the subject of the akathist. For known authors, the name will be listed.

Relating to the Trinity

[1], [2]

Relating to the Theotokos

  • Akathist to the Holy Virgin Theotokos (by St. Romanus the Melodist)
[3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], with a brief outline, PDF, with western notation
English/Arabic, French, German (PDF), Greek, Spanish
  • Akathist of the Birth of the Theotokos
  • Akathist of the Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple
  • Akathist of the Annunciation
  • Akathist of the Protection (or Covering) of the Theotokos
  • Akathist of the Dormition of the Theotokos
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, All-Venerable Abbess to Monasteries of the Entire World
  • Akathist to the Burning Bush of the Theotokos
  • Akathist (PDF) to the Theotokos, Daughter of Zion (by Fr. Lawrence Farley)
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, the Deliverer
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, the Door-keeper
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, the Enricher of the Harvest
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, Inexhaustible Cup
[14]
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, Joy of All Who Sorrow
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, Nurturer of Children
  • Akathist to the Theotokos of All Protection
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, Queen of All (Pantanassa, or "Healer of Cancer")
[15]
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, Spring of Healing
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, Swift to Aid
  • Akathist to the Theotokos, Unexpected Joy
  • Akathist to the Theotokos for Reconciliation
  • Akathist to the Theotokos at her Wonder-working Kursk Root Icon of the Sign
Russian
  • Akathist to the Theotokos at her Icon "Stay of Our Sorrows" (or "Assuage My Sorrow")
  • Akathist to the Theotokos at the Wonder-working Icon of Crasna
  • Akathist to the Theotokos at her Weeping Icon of Boian (Bojan)
  • Akathist of the Theotokos of the Portal of Iviron
  • Akathist to the Theotokos at the Icon of Seven Arrows (Icon of the Prophecy of Simeon)
  • Akathist to the Theotokos at her Icon of Felixstowe

Relating to the Saints

  • Akathist to St. Alexis, Man of God
  • Akathist to St. Anthony the Great
  • Akathist to the Chinese martyr saints who died in the Boxer Rebellion (by Geoffrey Korz)
[16] (PDF)
[17], [18]
[19]
[20]
[21], [22]
[23], [24]

Other Akathists

[25] 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.
  • Akathist of Thanksgiving (by Metropolitan Tryphon (Turkestanov))
  • Akathist in Praise of God's Creation (by Metropolitan Tryphon (Turkestanov))
  • Akathist to the Holy Archangel Michael
  • Akathist to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel
  • Akathist to the Guardian Angel
  • Akathist for the Repose of the Departed
  • Akathist to Seraphim Rose

External Links