Akathist to Our Sweetest Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ
Prior to Reading an Akathist
Read the beginning prayers when reading the Akathist alone.
The Seven Bow Beginning
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. (Bow)
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. (Bow)
Thou hast created me, O Lord, have mercy on me. (Bow)
Countless times have I sinned, O Lord, forgive me. (Bow)
My most holy Lady Theotokos, save me, a sinner. (Bow)
O Angel, my holy Guardian, protect me from all evil. (Bow)
Holy Apostle (or Martyr, or Holy Father) Name pray to God for me. (Bow)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins; O Master, pardon our iniquities; O 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, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the heavens, 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
O Come, let us worship God, our King. (Bow)
O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God. (Bow)
O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, our King and God. (Bow)
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
The Symbol of the Orthodox Faith
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from the heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried; And arose again on the third day according to the Scriptures; And ascended into the heavens, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father; And shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life; Who proceedeth from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the prophets. In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the age to come. Amen.
Akathist to Our Sweetest Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ
Kontakion 1
O Champion Leader and Lord, Vanquisher of hades, I, Thy creature and servant, offer Thee songs of praise, for Thou hast delivered me from eternal death; but as Thou hast unutterable loving-kindness, free me from every danger, as I cry: Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Ekos 1
Creator of angels and Lord of hosts, as of old Thou didst open ear and tongue to the deaf and dumb, likewise open now my perplexed mind and tongue to the praise of Thy Most Holy Name, that I may cry to Thee: Jesus, Most-wonderful, Angels’ Astonishment! Jesus, Most-powerful, Forefathers’ Deliverance! Jesus, Most-sweet, Patriarchs’ Exaltation! Jesus, Most-glorious, Kings’ Stronghold! Jesus, Most-beloved, Prophets’ Fulfillment! Jesus, Most-marvelous, Martyrs’ Strength! Jesus, Most-peaceful, Monks’ Joy! Jesus, Most-gracious, Presbyters’ Sweetness! Jesus, Most-merciful, Fasters’ Abstinence! Jesus, Most-tender, Saints’ Rejoicing! Jesus, Most-honourable, Virgins’ Chastity! Jesus, Everlasting, Sinners’ Salvation! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 2
As when seeing the widow weeping bitterly, O Lord, Thou wast moved with pity, and didst raise her son from the dead as he was being carried to burial, likewise have pity on me, O Lover of mankind, and raise my soul, deadened by sins, as I cry: Alleluia!
Ekos 2
Seeking to understand the incomprehensible, Philip asked: “Lord, show us the Father,” and Thou didst answer him: “Have I been so long with you and yet hast thou not known that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? ” Likewise, O Incomprehensible One, with fear I cry to Thee: Jesus, Eternal God! Jesus, All-Powerful King! Jesus, Long-suffering Master! Jesus, All-Merciful Savior! Jesus, my gracious Guardian! Jesus, cleanse my sins! Jesus, take away mine iniquities! Jesus, pardon mine unrighteousness! Jesus, my Hope, forsake me not! Jesus, my Helper, reject me not! Jesus, my Creator, forget me not! Jesus, my Shepherd, destroy me not! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 3
Thou Who didst clothe with power from on high Thine Apostles who tarried in Jerusalem, O Jesus, clothe also me, stripped bare of all good work, with the warmth of Thy Holy Spirit, and grant that with love I may sing to Thee: Alleluia!
Ekos 3
In the abundance of Thy mercy, O Jesus, Thou hast called publicans and sinners and infidels. Now disdain me not who am like them, but as precious myrrh accept this song: Jesus, Invincible Power! Jesus, Infinite Mercy! Jesus, Radiant Beauty! Jesus, Unspeakable Love! Jesus, Son of the Living God! Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner! Jesus, hear me who was conceived in sins! Jesus, cleanse me who was born in sin! Jesus, teach me who am worthless! Jesus, enlighten my darkness! Jesus, purify me who am unclean! Jesus, restore me, a prodigal! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 4
Having an interior storm of doubting thoughts, Peter was sinking. But beholding Thee, O Jesus, in the flesh walking on the waters, he confessed Thee to be the true God; and receiving the hand of salvation, he cried: Alleluia!
Ekos 4
When the blind man heard Thee, O Lord, passing by on the way, he cried: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! ” And Thou didst call him and open his eyes. Likewise enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart with Thy love as I cry to Thee and say: Jesus, Creator of those on high! Jesus, Redeemer of those below! Jesus, Vanquisher of the power of hades! Jesus, Adorner of every creature! Jesus, Comforter of my soul! Jesus, Enlightener of my mind! Jesus, Gladness of my heart! Jesus, Health of my body! Jesus, my Saviour, save me! Jesus, my Light, enlighten me! Jesus, deliver me from all torments! Jesus, save me despite mine unworthiness! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 5
As of old Thou didst redeem us from the curse of the law by Thy Divine-flowing Blood, O Jesus, likewise rescue me from the snares in which the serpent hath entangled us through the passions of the flesh, through lustful suggestions and evil despondency, as we cry to Thee: Alleluia!
Ekos 5
Having beheld the Creator in human form and knowing Him to be the Master, the Hebrew children hastened to please Him with branches, crying: Hosanna! But we offer Thee a song, saying: Jesus, True God! Jesus, Son of David! Jesus, Most Glorious King! Jesus, Blameless Lamb! Jesus, Most Wonderful Shepherd! Jesus, Guardian of mine infancy! Jesus, Nourisher of my youth! Jesus, Praise of mine old age! Jesus, my Hope at death! Jesus, my Life after death! Jesus, my Comfort at Thy Judgment! Jesus, my Desire, put me not then to shame! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 6
In fulfillment of the words and message of the inspired Prophets, O Jesus, Thou didst appear on earth, and Thou Who art uncontainable didst dwell with men. Thenceforth, being healed through Thy wounds, we learned to sing: Alleluia!
Ekos 6
The light of Thy truth shone upon the world, and demonic delusion was driven away; for the idols have fallen, O our Savior, unable to endure Thy strength. But we, having received salvation, cry to Thee: Jesus, the Truth, dispelling falsehood! Jesus, the light above all radiance! Jesus, the King, surpassing all in strength! Jesus, God, constant in mercy! Jesus, Bread of Life, fill me who am hungry! Jesus, Source of Knowledge, refresh me who am thirsty! Jesus, Garment of Gladness, clothe me, the corruptible! Jesus, Shelter of Joy, cover me, the unworthy! Jesus, Giver to those who ask, give me sorrow for my sins! Jesus, Finder of those who seek, find my soul! Jesus, Opener to those who knock, open my wretched heart! Jesus, Redeemer of sinners, blot out my transgressions! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 7
Desiring to reveal the mystery hidden from the ages, Thou wast led as a sheep to the slaughter, O Jesus, and as a lamb before its shearer. But as God Thou didst rise from the dead and didst ascend with glory to heaven, and along with Thyself Thou didst raise us who cry: Alleluia!
Ekos 7
The Creator hath shown us a marvelous Creature, Who was incarnate of a Virgin without seed, rose from the tomb without breaking the seal, and entered bodily the Apostles’ room when the doors were shut. Therefore, marveling at this we sing: Jesus, Infinite Word! Jesus, Inscrutable Word! Jesus, Incomprehensible Power! Jesus, Inconceivable Wisdom! Jesus, Inexpressible Divinity! Jesus, Boundless Dominion! Jesus, Invincible kingdom! Jesus, Endless Sovereignty! Jesus, Supreme Strength! Jesus, Eternal Power! Jesus, my Creator, have compassion on me! Jesus, my Savior, save me! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 8
Seeing God wondrously incarnate, let us shun the vain world and set our mind on things divine; for God came down to earth that He might raise to heaven us who cry to Him: Alleluia!
Ekos 8
The Immeasurable One was below all things, yet in no way separated from things above, when He willingly suffered for our sake, and by His death our death didst put to death, and by His Resurrection didst grant life to those who sing: Jesus, Sweetness of the heart! Jesus, Strength of the body! Jesus, Radiance of the soul! Jesus, Swiftness of the mind! Jesus, Joy of the conscience! Jesus, Well-known Hope! Jesus, Memory before the ages! Jesus, High Praise! Jesus, my Supremely-exalted Glory! Jesus, my Desire, reject me not! Jesus, my Shepherd, seek me! Jesus, my Savior, save me! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 9
All the angelic nature of heaven doth glorify unceasingly Thy most holy Name, O Jesus, crying: Holy, Holy, Holy! But we sinners on earth, with lips of dust cry: Alleluia!
Ekos 9
We see most eloquent orators voiceless as fish concerning Thee, O Jesus our Saviour. For they are at a loss to say how Thou art perfect man yet remainest God immutable. But we, marveling at this Mystery, cry faithfully : Jesus, God before the ages! Jesus, King of kings! Jesus, Master of rulers! Jesus, Judge of the living and the dead! Jesus, Hope of the hopeless! Jesus, Comfort of the them that mourn! Jesus, Glory of the poor! Jesus, condemn me not according to my deeds! Jesus, cleanse me according to Thy mercy! Jesus, take from me despondency! Jesus, enlighten the thoughts of my heart! Jesus, grant me remembrance of death! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the world, O Sunrise of the East, Thou didst come to the dark Occident of our nature, and didst humble Thyself even unto death. Wherefore Thy Name is supremely exalted above every name, and from all the tribes of heaven and earth, Thou dost hear: Alleluia!
Ekos 10
King Eternal, Comforter, true Christ! Cleanse us from every stain as Thou didst cleanse the Ten Lepers, and heal us as Thou didst heal the greedy soul of Zacchaeus the Publican, that we may shout to Thee in compunction crying aloud: Jesus, Treasury Incorruptible! Jesus, Wealth Unfailing! Jesus, Strong Food! Jesus, Drink Inexhaustible! Jesus, Garment of the poor! Jesus, Protection of widows! Jesus, Defender of orphans! Jesus, Helper of toilers! Jesus, Guide of pilgrims! Jesus, Pilot of voyagers! Jesus, Calmer of tempests! Jesus, God, raise me who am fallen! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 11
Tenderest songs I, though unworthy, offer to Thee, and like the woman of Canaan, I cry to Thee: O Jesus, have mercy on me! For it is not a daughter, but my flesh cruelly possessed with passions and burning with fury. So grant healing to me who cry unto Thee: Alleluia!
Ekos 11
Having previously persecuted Thee, the Light-bestowing Lamp of those in the darkness of ignorance, Paul heeded the power of the voice of Divine enlightenment, and understood the swiftness of the soul’s conversion. Thus also do Thou enlighten the dark eye of my soul, as I cry: Jesus, my Most-mighty King! Jesus, my Most-powerful God! Jesus, mine Immortal Lord! Jesus, my Most-glorious Creator! Jesus, my Most-good Guide! Jesus, my Most-compassionate Shepherd! Jesus, my Most-merciful Master! Jesus, my Most-gracious Savior! Jesus, enlighten my senses darkened by passions! Jesus, heal my body scabbed with sins! Jesus, cleanse my mind from vain thoughts! Jesus, keep my heart from evil! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 12
Grant me Thy grace, O Jesus, Absolver of all debts, and receive me who am repenting, as Thou didst receive Peter who denied Thee, and call me who am downcast, as of old Thou didst call Paul who persecuted Thee, and hear me crying to Thee: Alleluia!
Ekos 12
Praising Thine incarnation, we all extol Thee and we believe, with Thomas, that Thou art Lord and God, sitting with the Father and coming to judge the living and the dead. Vouchsafe me then to stand on Thy right hand, who now cry: Jesus, King before the ages, have mercy on me! Jesus, Sweet-scented Flower, make me fragrant! Jesus, Beloved Warmth, make me fervent! Jesus, Eternal Temple, shelter me! Jesus, Garment of Light, adorn me! Jesus, Pearl of Great Price, irradiate me! Jesus, Precious Stone, illumine me! Jesus, Sun of Righteousness, shine on me! Jesus, Holy Light, make me radiant! Jesus, from sickness of soul and body deliver me! Jesus, from the hands of the adversary rescue me! Jesus, from the unquenchable fire and other eternal torments save me! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 13
O most-sweet and all-compassionate Jesus! Receive now this our small supplication, as Thou didst receive the widow’s two mites, and keep Thine inheritance from all enemies, visible and invisible, from foreign invasion, from disease and hunger, from all tribulations and mortal wounds, and rescue from the torment to come all that cry to Thee: Alleluia!
This Kontakion is sung thrice. And again:
Ekos 1
Creator of angels and Lord of hosts, as of old Thou didst open ear and tongue to the deaf and dumb, likewise open now my perplexed mind and tongue to the praise of Thy Most Holy Name, that I may cry to Thee: Jesus, Most-wonderful, Angels’ Astonishment! Jesus, Most-powerful, Forefathers’ Deliverance! Jesus, Most-sweet, Patriarchs’ Exaltation! Jesus, Most-glorious, Kings’ Stronghold! Jesus, Most-beloved Prophets’ Fulfillment! Jesus, Most-marvelous, Martyrs’ Strength! Jesus, Most-peaceful, Monks’ Joy! Jesus, Most-gracious, Presbyters’ Sweetness! Jesus, Most-merciful, Fasters’ Abstinence! Jesus, Most-tender, Saints’ Rejoicing! Jesus, Most-honourable, Virgins’ Chastity! Jesus, Everlasting, Sinners’ Salvation! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 1
O Champion Leader and Lord, Vanquisher of hades, I, Thy creature and servant, offer Thee songs of praise, for Thou hast delivered me from eternal death; but as Thou hast unutterable loving-kindness, free me from every danger, as I cry: Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ
To Thee, O Lord, the only Good One, Who rememberest not evils, I confess my sins, I fall down before Thee, unworthy that I am, crying out: I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I am not worthy to look upon the height of heaven for the multitude of mine iniquities. But, my Lord, O Lord, grant me tears of compunction, Thou Who alone art good and merciful, so that with them I may entreat Thee to cleanse me of all sin before the end; for frightful and terrible is the place that I must pass through when I have separated from this body, and a multitude of dark and inhuman demons awaiteth me, and there is no one to come to my help or to deliver me; wherefore, I fall down before Thy goodness: deliver me not up to them that wrong me, nor let mine enemies triumph over me, O Good Lord, nor let them say: thou hast come into our hands, and thou hast been delivered unto us. Neither, O Lord, forget Thy compassions, and render not unto me according to mine iniquities, and turn not Thy countenance away from me; but do Thou, O Lord, chasten me, but with mercy and compassion, and let not mine enemy rejoice over me, but quench his threatening against me, and bring to nought all his deeds. And grant me an unsullied way to Thee, O Good Lord, because, having sinned, I have not had recourse to any other physician, and have not stretched out my hands to a strange god. Therefore, reject not my supplication, but hearken unto me in Thy goodness, and strengthen my heart in Thy fear; and let Thy grace be upon me, O Lord, like a fire consuming the impure thoughts within me. For Thou, O Lord, art the Light above all lights, the Joy above all joys, the Repose above all repose, the True Life, and the Salvation that abideth unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers following the Akathist
Read the closing prayers when reading the Akathist alone.
Hymn to the Theotokos, Eighth Tone
It is truly meet to bless thee, the Theotokos, ever-blessed and most blameless, and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins; O Master, pardon our iniquities; O 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, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the heavens, 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.