#Akathist Hymn

[dramoor]

"Every flower is fragrant through the power of the Holy Spirit, in a delicate flow of aroma and tenderness of color; the beauty of the Great contained in what is small. Praise and honor to God, Who gives life, Who spreads forth the meadows like a flowering carpet, Who crowns the fields with golden ears of wheat and azure basilisks, and the soul – with the joy of contemplation.

Let us rejoice and sing to Him: Alleluia."

~Akathist Glory to God for All Things, Kontakion 3

(Photo © dramoor 2019)

[dramoor]

"Thou canst restore to its former beauty a soul lost and without hope. With Thee, there is nothing that cannot be redeemed. Thou art love; Thou art Creator and Redeemer."

~From Kontakion 10, Glory to God for All Things

Untitled (Expulsion) by Fred Tomaselli (2000)

[thesynaxarium]

On the fifth Saturday of Great Lent, we celebrate the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos. For the first four Fridays of Great Lent, a service called the Salutations of the Theotokos is held. This set of hymns was composed in the early 300s describing the various life events of the Theotokos, but was officially chanted as a part of Great Lent in the early 600s when the the city of Byzantium (later known as Constantinople, and now Istanbul) was considered the Queen City and the heart of Christianity after the fall of the Roman Empire. Because of its ideal location, the city was often besieged by enemies. At one point in the early 600s, the city was surrounded by enemies who wanted to sack the city. This particular siege was different and it lasted a few months because all the fighting-aged men were away at war with the Persians. All that was left in the city were the priests, women, children, and the elderly. With no way of defending themselves, they all ran to the main church of Constantinople, in a place called “Blachernae” which is dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos. The people stayed up all night praying to God and the Theotokos, asking for deliverance from their enemies. The Patriarch Sergius of Constantinople gathered all the priests and they endlessly marched around the inside city walls for days on end, holding the Icon of the Theotokos of Blachernae and chanting the hymn below. Then a miracle occurred. Unexpectedly, a huge storm arose with tidal waves and cyclones, and all the enemy's’ fleet was destroyed or turned back. Thus the city was saved. That night, all those in the city (who were still in the church) began chanting the Salutations, while adding the new hymn “To Thee the Champion Leader” or in Greek, "Ti Ypermaho". They chanted this the whole night without sitting down, and thus on the fifth Friday of Lent, the whole service is changed and is called the Akathist (i.e. the not sitting hymn). May the Most Holy Theotokos intercede for us that we might complete the remainder of Great Lent in prayer and repentance + #akathist #theotokos #salutations #prayer #constantinople #orthodox (at Constantinople - Κωνσταντινούπολη) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqeGNqrjEId/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[orthodoxadventure]

Those who have been saved from misfortune, affliction, sorrow, and every kind of danger offer you hymns of praise, holy mother, and together with the saints and angels we sing to God: Alleluia.

[From the Akathist to Saint Xenia of Saint Petersburg] / Painting by Alexander Prostev

[religious-extremist]

please pray for my brother joshua. i received a call from my mom a few hours ago that he passed away (he is not orthodox)

I’m really sorry, my dear Beatrice. May the Lord have mercy on Joshua’s soul.

I will keep him and your whole family in my prayers, and ask the monks to pray for him when I return to the monastery this week. I encourage you to fervently pray for him as well.

If you are able, it would be prudent to attend church in order to offer prayers to God for your brother’s soul, for it is the house of God and there will be countless angels lifting your prayers to the throne of the Almighty.

Here is an Akathist you can read for your brother.

Please forgive me and pray for me, a worthless sinner.

[willsimpleone]

The Akathist Hymn - to the Blessed Virgin Mary Eastern Catholic Devotion

https://www.cin.org/akathis.html

[bluepurpleviolatte]

me:

I have a folder of audio files with the title ''Chrysostomos'', I think it is about a messa of Traditional Orthodox Church. But the audio files' order is messed up, not numbered. And for each file I only have very vague title, like simplified:

Chrys Chrysakat Chrys-svb Aleluja Cherub Irmoskr Jakoda Jedinsv Trop8hl

Do you know the proper order of the audio tracks? Given its Orthodox Church service tradition of Chrysostomos messa. You might also have to guess the Slavic title with the simplified Romanized writing.

ChatGPT:

To determine the proper order of the audio tracks for a Traditional Orthodox Church service, especially one related to St. John Chrysostom, we need to align the vague titles with the sequence of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. The titles seem to be abbreviated and Romanized Slavic words. Here is a probable order based on the typical structure of the liturgy and the given titles:

Irmoskr - This likely refers to "Irmos" (a hymn or ode in the canon). It is typically part of the canon, but an Irmos is often sung during the Divine Liturgy, especially in festal services.

Jedinsv - This is likely "Jedino Svjat" (Един Свят), which means "One is Holy." This is sung after the consecration and before Communion.

Cherub - This refers to the Cherubic Hymn ("Cherubim Hymn" or "Cherubikon"), which is sung during the Great Entrance when the gifts are transferred to the altar.

Aleluja - "Alleluia" is sung before the reading of the Gospel.

Jakoda - This seems to correspond to "Yakoda" (Якода), a part of a hymn or chant, often found in Slavonic liturgies. It could be part of the hymn "Yakoda chervona more preide", relating to the crossing of the Red Sea, but it's more likely a part of the "Anaphora".

Chrys - This likely refers to the parts specific to St. John Chrysostom, such as the "Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom".

Chrysakat - This might be a shortened form referring to "Chrysostom Akathist," although Akathists are generally separate from the Liturgy. It could be "Chrysostom Anaphora," part of the Eucharistic prayer.

Chrys-svb - This might refer to "Chrysostomos svb" which could be the "Subdeacon parts" or "Svyatitel' Basil" (although Basil's liturgy is different). It's unclear, but could be a specific hymn or chant related to St. John Chrysostom.

Trop8hl - This could be "Troparion," a type of hymn. Specifically, "Troparion of the Eighth Tone" if it’s "Trop 8". Troparia are hymns sung at different points.

Given the uncertainty in some titles, this sequence focuses on matching typical service elements with the abbreviations provided:

Irmoskr

Aleluja

Cherub

Jakoda

Chrys

Chrysakat

Chrys-svb

Jedinsv

Trop8hl

To better determine the exact order, you might need to listen to the beginnings of each track to identify specific liturgical elements. This sequence is based on the common elements of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and the probable meaning of the titles.

[alatismeni-theitsa]

The Akathist Hymn is a devotional poem, which sings the praises of the Most Holy Panagia (Virgin Mary). It was composed in Constantinople, "the city of the Virgin," by St. Romanos the Melodist, who reposed in the year 556.

The word "akathistos" means "not sitting,". Normally all participants stand while it is being prayed.

The origin of the feast is assigned by the Synaxarion to the year 626, when Constantinople, in the reign of Heraclius, was attacked by the Persians and Avars but saved through the intervention of the Most Holy Theotokos. A sudden hurricane dispersed the fleet of the enemy, casting the vessels on the shore near the Great church of the Theotokos at Blachernae, a quarter of Constantinople inside the Golden Horn. The people spent the whole night, says the account, thanking her for the unexpected deliverance.

The hymn is comprised of 24 stanzas, arranged in an acrostic following the Greek alphabet. The stanzas alternate between long and short. Each short stanza is written in prose and ends with the singing of "Alleluia." Each longer stanza ends with the refrain: "Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded."

The Akathist Hymn and Small Compline are two services which are sung on the first five Fridays during Great Lent. The Small Compline, and the canon, is sung on each of the five Fridays.

The Akathist Hymn has proven so popular in the liturgical life of the Church that many other hymns have been written following its format.

"Rejoice (I greet you), unfading rose.

Rejoice (I greet you), the only one who budded forth the unfading apple.

Rejoice (I greet you), birth-giver of the aromatic balm of the King of all.

Rejoice (I greet you), O Bride unwedded, the world's salvation."

[...]

"O Champion General, we your faithful inscribe to you the prize of victory as gratitude for being rescued from calamity, O Theotokos (birth-giver of God). But since you have invincible power, free us from all kinds of perils so that we may cry out to you: Rejoice (I greet you), O Bride unwedded!"

(Translated by Father George Papadeas)

[livingtradition]

One year I'll make it to Akathistos Saturday

[dramoor]

Rejoice Marie, The akathist hymn: a magnificent Byzantine poem from the 6th century about the Virgin Mary. (#4 of 10 videos.)

[adventism-atheism-orthodoxy-me]

Priest: Let us pray for the peace of the world...

Reader: ...for those who hate us, and those who love us...

People: Lord, have mercy.

-- From the Compline with the Akathist Canon and Hymn

Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, A Sinner.

[larryneilson37]

What I'm listening to right now

Ekos 4-7 by Nathaniel Evans, on the album: The Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos

[thesynaxarium]

Today we celebrate the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos. For the first four Fridays of Great Lent, a service called the Salutations of the Theotokos is held. This set of hymns was composed in the early 300s describing the various life events of the Theotokos, but was officially chanted as a part of Great Lent in the early 600s when the the city of Byzantium (later known as Constantinople, and now Istanbul) was considered the Queen City and the heart of Christianity after the fall of the Roman Empire. Because of its ideal location, the city was often besieged by enemies. At one point in the early 600s, the city was surrounded by enemies who wanted to sack the city. This particular siege was different and it lasted a few months because all the fighting-aged men were away at war with the Persians. All that was left in the city were the priests, women, children, and the elderly. With no way of defending themselves, they all ran to the main church of Constantinople, in a place called “Blachernae” which is dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos. The people stayed up all night praying to God and the Theotokos, asking for deliverance from their enemies. The Patriarch Sergius of Constantinople gathered all the priests and they endlessly marched around the inside city walls for days on end, holding the Icon of the Theotokos of Blachernae and chanting the hymn below. Then a miracle occurred. Unexpectedly, a huge storm arose with tidal waves and cyclones, and all the enemy's’ fleet was destroyed or turned back. Thus the city was saved. That night, all those in the city (who were still in the church) began chanting the Salutations, while adding the new hymn “To Thee the Champion Leader” or in Greek, "Ti Ypermaho". They chanted this the whole night without sitting down, and thus on the fifth Friday of Lent, the whole service is changed and is called the Akathist (i.e. the not sitting hymn). May the Most Holy Theotokos intercede for us that we might complete the remainder of Great Lent in prayer and repentance + #akathist #theotokos #salutations #prayer #constantinople #orthodox (at Constantinople - Κωνσταντινούπολη) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcGoo_YPUg1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[orthodoxadventure]

Akathist to the Theotokos - Softener of Evil Hearts (Prayers for Enemies and against Sorrow)

Apolytikion

Soften our evil hearts, O Theotokos, and quench the attacks of those who hate us and loose all straitness of our soul. For looking on thy holy icon we are filled with compunction by thy suffering and loving-kindness for us, and we kiss thy wounds; we are filled with horror for the darts with which we wound thee. Let us not, O Mother of Compassion, according to the cruelty of our hearts, perish from the cruelty of heart of those near us, for thou art in truth the Softener of Evil Hearts.

Kontakion I

We cry out with heartfelt emotion to the chosen Virgin Mary, far nobler than all the daughters of the earth, Mother of the Son of God, who gave Salvation to the world: Look at our life, which is filled with every sorrow, and remember the sorrow and pain which thou didst suffer as one born on earth with us, and do with us according to thy merciful heart, that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Ikos I

An angel announced the birth of the Saviour of the world to the shepherds in Bethlehem and with the multitude of the heavenly hosts praised God, singing: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will among men!” But thou, O Mother of God, having nowhere to lay thine head, since there was no room in the inn, gave birth to thy first-born Son in a cave and, wrapping Him in swaddling clothes, laid Him in a manger. Knowing the pain in thy heart, we cry out to thee:

Rejoice, for thou wast warmed by the breath of thine own beloved Son! Rejoice, for thou didst wrap the eternal Child in swaddling clothes! Rejoice, for thou didst nourish with thy milk the One who sustaineth the universe! Rejoice, for thou didst turn a cave into a heaven! Rejoice, for thou didst make thy throne upon the Cherubim! Rejoice, for thou didst remain a virgin both in giving birth and after birth! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion II

Seeing the Eternal Child swaddled and lying in a manger, the shepherds of Bethlehem came to worship Him and to relay that which the Angels told them about the Child. But Mary kept all these things in her heart. And after eight days had passed, Jesus was circumcised, according to the law of Israel, as a man. Hymning thy humility and patience, O Theotokos, we sing to the Good God Eternal: Alleluia!

Ikos II

Having their understanding based on God and keeping the Law of the Lord, on the fortieth day when the days of purification were complete, Jesus' parents took Him to Jerusalem so that they could present Him before the Lord and offer sacrifice for Him, according to the decree in the Law of the Lord. But we sing out to thee, O Theotokos, thus:

Rejoice, for thou didst take the Creator of the universe to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the Law! Rejoice, for thou didst there meet the Elder Simeon with joy! Rejoice, thou only Pure and blessed one among women! Rejoice, for with humility Thou didst carry thy cross adorned with sorrows! Rejoice, for thou didst never disobey the will of God! Rejoice, for thou didst reveal thyself as a model of patience and humility! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion III

Thou wast strengthened with power from on high, O Mother of God, when thou didst hear the words of the Elder Simeon, when he said to thee: “Behold, this Child is destined to be the rise and fall of many in Israel. This is a sign which will be spoken against, and a sword will pierce thy very soul so that the thoughts of many may be revealed.” And great sorrow entered the heart of the Theotokos, and with grief she cried out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos III

Hastening to destroy the Child, Herod ordered the killing of all children in Bethlehem and its environs from two years of age and under, according to the time that he determined from the Magi. And behold, according to the command of God, the Elder Joseph was informed by an angel in a dream to flee with the Holy Family to Egypt and to remain there until the death of Herod. Therefore with compunction, we cry out to thee, O Theotokos:

Rejoice for thou didst bear the entire turmoil of exile! Rejoice for all the idols fell in the land of Egypt not being able to endure the power of thy Son! Rejoice for thou didst remain for seven years among the dishonorable pagans! Rejoice, for thou didst arrive in Nazareth with thy first-born Youth and with thy betrothed! Rejoice, for thou didst live with the Elder Joseph the carpenter in poverty! Rejoice, for thou didst spend all thy time in hard labors! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion IV

A storm of sorrows whirled about the most pure Mother when they returned from Jerusalem, not finding the young man Jesus in the caravan. For this reason they returned to look for Him, and after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers listening to them and asking them questions. And His Mother asked Him: “Child, why hast Thou done this to us? Behold, Thy father and I suffered greatly looking for Thee.” And Jesus answered them: ” Why were ye looking for Me? Do ye not know about those things which My Father has entrusted unto Me?” And Thou, O Most Pure One, kept all these sayings in Thy heart, crying out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos IV

The Mother of God heard that Jesus traveled through all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing all kinds of illness and infirmity among the people. And His reputation spread through all of Syria and they brought Him every kind of illness and the suffering and those tormented by demons and the paralyzed and He healed them. But thou, O Mother of God, knowing the prophecy, sorrowed in thy heart, knowing that very soon the time would come when Thy Son would present Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. For this reason we bless thee, much-sorrowing Mother of God, crying out:

Rejoice, for thou didst give thy Son to the service of the Jewish people! Rejoice, for thou didst sorrow in thy heart but didst submit to the will of God! Rejoice, for thou didst save the world from the deluge of sin! Rejoice for thou didst crush the head of the ancient serpent! Rejoice, for thou didst offer thyself as a living sacrifice to God! Rejoice, O blessed one, the Lord is with Thee! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion V

Preaching the Kingdom of God on earth, Jesus exposed the arrogance of the Pharisees, who imagined themselves to be righteous. So when they heard His parables, they understood it was about them that He was speaking, and they sought to arrest Him, but they feared the people who considered Him to be a prophet. Seeing all of this, the Mother of God sorrowed for her beloved Son and feared that they would kill Him, in affliction crying out: Alleluia!

Ikos V

Some of the Jews, seeing the resurrection of Lazarus, went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. And Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year, said: “It will be better for us that one man die for the people, so that the whole nation would not perish.” From that day on they took counsel about how they would kill Him. But we cry out to thee, O Most Pure One:

Rejoice, thou who gavest birth to the Saviour of the world! Rejoice, source of our salvation! Rejoice, for thou wast chosen from birth to be the Mother of our Saviour! Rejoice, Mother of God, destined for suffering! Rejoice, O blessed one, who dost preside as Queen of Heaven! Rejoice, O blessed one, who always prays for us! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion VI

Once a preacher of the Word of God and now a traitor, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, went to the high priest to betray his Teacher. They listened to him, were exceedingly pleased, and promised to give him thirty pieces of silver. But thou, O Mother of God, didst sorrow for thy beloved Son, and didst cry out in grief to God: Alleluia!

Ikos VI

Taking part in the Last Supper with the disciples, at which the Teacher washed their feet, thereby revealing an example of humility, Christ said to them: “One of you will betray Me.” But we, suffering with the Mother of God, cry out to Her:

Rejoice, Mother of God, languishing with the torture of thy heart! Rejoice, Thou who didst suffer all in this most sorrowful vale! Rejoice, Thou who didst find comfort in prayer! Rejoice, joy of all who sorrow! Rejoice, Thou who dost save us from the mire of sin! Rejoice, vessel filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion VII

Desiring to show His love for the human race, the Lord Jesus Christ at the Mystical Supper blessed and broke bread and gave it to His disciples and apostles, saying: “Take, eat, this is My Body.” And taking the chalice and giving praise gave it to them said: “All of you drink of this, this is My Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Thanking the compassionate God for His ineffable mercy to us, we sing to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos VII

The Lord revealed a new sign of His mercy to His disciples when He promised to send them the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who would descend from the Father and would witness concerning Him. But to thee, O Mother of God, sanctified again on the day of Pentecost by the Holy Spirit, we cry:

Rejoice, mansion of the Holy Spirit! Rejoice, brilliantly-illuminated bridal chamber! Rejoice, spacious dwelling place of God the Word! Rejoice, thou who didst open for us the gates of paradise by Thy giving of birth! Rejoice, thou who didst reveal the sign of divine mercy Himself to us! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion VIII

It is at once very strange and sorrowful for us to hear how Judas Iscariot betrayed his Teacher and Lord with a kiss. Then the crowd and the commander and the servants of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him and led Him first to the chief priest, Ananias, and then to the high priest, Caiaphas. But thou, O Mother of God, expecting the death sentence for thy beloved Son, cried out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos VIII

All of the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium to Pilate, saying that He was a criminal. But Pilate, after questioning Him, told them that he could not find any fault at all in Him. But we cry out to thee with compunction, O Mother of God, who saw the slander of Thy Son:

Rejoice, thou whose heart was broken by woe! Rejoice, for thou didst shed tears for thy Son! Rejoice, thou who didst see thy beloved Child given over to trial! Rejoice, for thou didst suffer everything without complaint like a true handmaiden of the Lord! Rejoice, despite thy weeping and lamentation! Rejoice, O Queen of Heaven and earth, who dost accept the prayers of thy servants! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion IX

All generations bless thee, who art more honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, our Lady and the Mother of our Redeemer, for thy birth-giving has brought joy to the whole world. But thou didst suffer the final great sorrow when thou sawest thy beloved Son insulted, whipped, and sentenced to death. For this reason we present our heartfelt hymn to thee, O Most Pure One, singing to God Almighty: Alleluia!

Ikos IX

Loquacious orators are not able to describe all of the suffering which Thou hast endured, our Saviour, such as when the soldiers placed a crown woven out of thorns on Thine head and dressed Thee in a purple robe, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapped Thee across the face. But we, O Mother of God, recognizing thy suffering, cry out to thee:

Rejoice, thou who didst behold thy Son slain for our sake! Rejoice, seeing Him dressed in purple and wearing a crown of thorns! Rejoice, seeing Him tortured, whom thou didst nourish with thy milk! Rejoice, thou who didst suffer His Passion together with Him! Rejoice, thou who didst watch all His disciples forsake Him! Rejoice, thou who didst see Him condemned by the judgment of the unrighteous! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion X

Wanting to save Jesus, Pilate said to the Jews, “We have a custom to release a prisoner on the feast of Passover. Do you want me to give you the King of the Jews?” All of them shouted, saying, “Not Him, but Barabbas!” We praise the great mercy of the Heavenly Father, Who so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son to death on the Cross in order to redeem us from eternal death, as we cry out to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos X

Be a wall and a fortification, O Lady, unto us who are overburdened by sorrows and suffering. For thou thyself didst suffer, hearing the Jews shouting, “Crucify, crucify Him!” Now hear us crying out unto thee:

Rejoice, Mother of mercy, who wipest away every tear from those who suffer cruelly! Rejoice, thou who grantest us tears of heartfelt compunction! Rejoice, thou who savest lost sinners! Rejoice, Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame! Rejoice, thou who savest us from our passions! Rejoice, thou who grantest comfort to broken hearts! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion XI

We offer a hymn of heartfelt sorrow to the Saviour of the world for His voluntary Passion and carrying His Cross to Golgotha to be crucified. Standing at Jesus’ Cross are His Mother, Mary Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. But Jesus, seeing His Mother and His disciple whom He loved standing there, said to His disciple, “Behold thy mother!” And from that time the disciple took her into his family. But thou, O Mother of God, seeing Thy Son and Lord on the Cross wast devastated and cried out to God on high: Alleluia!

Ikos XI

“O my Son and Pre-Eternal God, Fashioner of all Creation! O Lord, how canst Thou endure the suffering on the Cross?” the Pure Virgin cried, saying: “By Thine awesome birth, O my Son, I have been exalted above all mothers, but woe is me! Now when I see Thee, my womb burns within me.” But we shed tears, remembering thee, and cry out to thee:

Rejoice, thou who wast deprived of joy and merriment! Rejoice, thou who didst see the voluntary passion of thy Son on the Cross! Rejoice, thou who didst see thy beloved Son sore wounded! Rejoice, thou ewe lamb, seeing thy Son as a lamb being led to slaughter! Rejoice, thou who didst see the Deliverer of the wounds of soul and body covered with wounds! Rejoice, thou who didst see thy Son rise from the dead! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion XII

O All-Merciful Saviour, grant us mercy, breathing out Thy Spirit on the Cross and tearing up the handwriting of our sins. “Behold, my good Light, my God, is extinguished on the Cross!” the Virgin in great anguish exclaimed: “O Joseph, hasten to Pilate, approach him and ask him to take thy Teacher down from the Cross.” “Seeing Thy wounded Body, naked and without glory, on the Cross, O my Child, a sword has pierced my soul according to the prophecy of the Elder Simeon,” said the Mother of God, singing: Alleluia!

Ikos XII

Hymning Thy mercifulness, O Lover of mankind, we bow down to Thy generous mercy, O Master. The Most Pure one said, “Wishing to save Thy creature, thou hast given Thyself over to death.” But by Thy resurrection, O Saviour, have mercy on all of us, while we address Thy most pure Mother:

Rejoice, thou who didst see the most good Lord dead and without breath! Rejoice, thou who didst kiss the body of thy beloved Son! Rejoice, thou who didst see thy Light as a naked and wounded corpse! Rejoice, thou who didst place the Light of the world in a tomb! Rejoice, thou who didst wrap His body in a new shroud! Rejoice, thou who beheld His Resurrection from the dead! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion XIII 3 times

O All-hymned Mother, crushed by thy sorrow at the Cross of thy Son and God, accept our tears and expressions of sorrow, and save from every sorrow, affliction, and eternal death all those who hope in thine ineffable kindheartedness and cry out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos I

An angel announced the birth of the Saviour of the world to the shepherds in Bethlehem and with the multitude of the heavenly hosts praised God, singing: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will among men!” But thou, O Mother of God, having nowhere to lay thine head, since there was no room in the inn, gave birth to thy first-born Son in a cave and, wrapping Him in swaddling clothes, laid Him in a manger. Knowing the pain in thy heart, we cry out to thee:

Rejoice, for thou wast warmed by the breath of thine own beloved Son! Rejoice, for thou didst wrap the eternal Child in swaddling clothes! Rejoice, for thou didst nourish with thy milk the One who sustaineth the universe! Rejoice, for thou didst turn a cave into a heaven! Rejoice, for thou didst make thy throne upon the Cherubim! Rejoice, for thou didst remain a virgin both in giving birth and after birth! Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Kontakion I

We cry out with heartfelt emotion to the chosen Virgin Mary, far nobler than all the daughters of the earth, Mother of the Son of God, who gave Salvation to the world: Look at our life, which is filled with every sorrow, and remember the sorrow and pain which thou didst suffer as one born on earth with us, and do with us according to thy merciful heart, that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Prayer

O much sorrowing Mother of God, more highly exalted than all other maidens, according to thy purity and the multitude of thy suffering endured on earth: Hearken to our sighs, and soften the hearts of evil men, and protect us under the shelter of thy mercy. For we know no other refuge or ardent intercessor apart from thee, but as thou hast great boldness before the One Who was born of thee, help and save us by thy prayers, that without offence we may attain the Heavenly Kingdom, where, with all the saints, we will sing the thrice-holy hymn to One God Almighty in Trinity, always now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion in Tone V

Soften our evil hearts, O Mother of God, extinguish the afflictions of those who hate us, and loosen all the rigidity our souls. Gazing upon thy holy image, we are moved by thy suffering and mercy toward us. We kiss thy wounds and are horrified that our arrows torment you. O merciful mother, do not let us perish in our own hardheartedness, nor from that of our neighbors, for thou art truly the Softener of evil hearts.

[wordsmithic]

❧ Romantic words in Greek for your lover ☙

Ωραίος (“beautiful” - for a person or an object - and “nice”) is the word for “timely” in Greek. One who is on time is of good quality and beautiful.

Some of you must know another Greek word for beautiful, όμορφος (modern version of εύμορφος), meaning “one is of good shape”. But in Greek you can also be gorgeous or “beautiful compared to everything else” - πανέμορφος - (English speakers will recognize the Greek prefix pan-) and you can even be “five times beautiful” (πεντάμορφος). Beauty in the “Beauty and the Beast” tale is called “Πεντάμορφη” in Greek. The last word is mainly used in folk literature.

When two people flirt they ε��ωτοτροπούν, they are “getting into the ways of Eros”. It’s an older and more formal word, and poetically also used for animals courting.

“Nymph“ (νύμφη) in Greek is the nymph of the Greek folk stories but also the coast town, the chrysalis and the bride. In the great Greek Orthodox Akathist Hymn the Virgin Mary is called “Bride unwed.” (νύμφη ανύμφευτε, ”nymphe anymphefte”). Christ is also called Nympheos (νυμφαίος, groom), since he is married to the church.

Chrysalis (χρυσαλίδα), is also a Greek word, meaning “she who is golden”. And since we are talking about golden things, did you know that a person “can drip of the sun”? Ηλιοστάλλακτος is the word you are looking for!

The English words “orgasm” and “orgy” come from the Greek οργασμός, which literally means “great activity” and in Greek it’s poetically used for nature growing wild and uncontrolled, for being at its peak. (“Η φύση οργιάζει”). The word “wrath” (οργή) in Greek shares the same linguistic root with “orgasm” and “orgy”, because a great and terrible emotion is growing inside the person, ready to explode on the outside. In fact, it sounds like the English “orgy” but the last syllable is intonated.

What about lovemaking? Greek has a great word for it, συνουσία, which can translate to “two essences added onto one” and it’s often used in a formal and poetic tone.

❧ Search my tag #greek language for more ☙ 

p.s. Greek is the language Greeks speak, and “ancient Greek” the version of the language our ancestors spoke. Don’t let classicist professors in foreign academia confuse you.

[apenitentialprayer]

We worship God and we venerate His saints, always with gratitude for His wisdom and hope in His mercy.

ending verse of The Akathist Hymn to Saints Cosmas and Damian (x)