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AKATHIST
to our
Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ
Kontakion 1
Warrior-Chieftain and Lord, Vanquisher of hell, 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.
Oikos 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 All-Wonderful, Angels' Astonishment! Jesus All-Powerful,
Forefathers' Deliverance! Jesus All-Sweetest, Patriarchs' Exaltation!
Jesus All-Glorious, Kings' Stronghold! Jesus All-Beloved, Prophets'
Fulfillment! Jesus All-Marvellous, Martyrs' Strength! Jesus All-
Peaceful, Monks' Joy! Jesus All-Gracious, Presbyters' Sweetness! Jesus
All-Merciful, Pasters' Abstinence! Jesus All-Tenderest, Saints'
Rejoicing! Jesus All-Honorable, 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 men, and raise
my soul, deadened by sins, as I cry, Alleluia!
Oikos 2
Seeking to know what passes knowledge, 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 Inconceivable One, with fear I cry to Thee: Jesus,
Eternal God! Jesus, All-Powerful King! Jesus, Long-suffering Master!
Jesus, All-Merciful Saviour! Jesus, my gracious Guardian! Jesus,
cleanse my sins! Jesus, take away my iniquities! Jesus, pardon my
unrighteousness! Jesus, my Hope, forsake me not! Jesus, my Helper,
reject me not! Jesus, my Creator, forget me not! Jesus, my Shepherd,
lose me not! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 3
Thou Who didst endue with power from on high Thy 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!
Oikos 3
In the abundance of Thy mercy, O Jesus, Thou hast called publicans and
sinners and infidels. Now despise 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 iniquity! 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!
Oikos 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 powers
of hell! 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 my 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
Divinely-shed Blood, O Jesus, likewise rescue me from the snares in
which the serpent has entangled us through the passions of the flesh,
through lustful suggestions and evil despondency, as we cry to Thee:
Alleluia!
Oikos 5
Seeing the Creator in human form and knowing Him to be their Lord, the
Hebrew children sought to please Him with branches, crying: Hosanna!
But we offer Thee a song, saying: Jesus, True God! Jesus, Son of
David! Jesus, Glorious King! Jesus, Innocent Lamb! Jesus, Wonderful
Shepherd! Jesus, Guardian of my infancy! Jesus, Nourisher of my youth!
Jesus, Praise of my old age! Jesus, my Hope at death! Jesus, my Life
after death! Jesus, my Comfort at Thy Judgment! Jesus, my Desire, let
me not then be ashamed. 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!
Oikos 6
When the light of Thy truth dawned on the world, devilish delusion was
driven away; for the idols, O our Saviour, have fallen, unable to
endure Thy strength. But we who have received salvation, cry to Thee:
Jesus, the Truth, dispelling falsehood! Jesus, the Light above all
lights! 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 my nakedness! Jesus, Veil of Joy, cover my
unworthiness! 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,
wash away my sins! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 7
Desiring to unveil the mystery hidden from all 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!
Oikos 7
The Creator has shown us a marvelous Creature, Who took flesh without
seed from a Virgin, rose from the tomb without breaking the seal, and
entered bodily the Apostles' room when the doors were shut. Therefore,
marvelling at this we sing: Jesus, Uncontainable Word! Jesus,
Inscrutable Intelligence! Jesus, Incomprehensible Power! Jesus,
Inconceivable Wisdom! Jesus, Undepictable Deity! Jesus, Boundless
Dominion! Jesus, Invincible Kingdom! Jesus, Unending Sovereignty!
Jesus, Supreme Strength! Jesus, Eternal Power! Jesus, my Creator, have
compassion on me! Jesus, my Saviour, save me! Jesus, Son of God, have
mercy on me!
Konlakion 8
Seeing God wondrously incarnate, let us shun the vain world and set
our mind on things divine; for God descended to earth to raise to
Heaven us who cry to Him: Alleluia!
Oikos 8
Being both below and above, Thou didst never falter, O Thou
immeasurable One, when Thou didst voluntarily suffer for us, and by
Thy death our death didst put to death, and by Thy Resurrection didst
grant life to those who sing: Jesus, Sweetness of the heart! Jesus,
Strength of the body! Jesus, Purity of the soul! Jesus, Brightness of
the mind! Jesus, Gladness of the conscience! Jesus, Sure Hope! Jesus,
Memory Eternal! Jesus, High Praise! Jesus, my most exalted Glory!
Jesus, my Desire, reject me not! Jesus, my Shepherd, recover me!
Jesus, my Saviour, save me! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Koniakion 9
The Angelic Hosts in Heaven glorify unceasingly Thy most holy Name, O
Jesus, crying: Holy, Holy, Holy! But we sinners on earth, with our
frail voices cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 9
We see most eloquent orators voiceless as fish when they must speak of
Thee, O Jesus our Saviour. For it is beyond their power to tell how
Thou art both perfect man and immutable God at the same time. But we,
marvelling at this Mystery, cry faithfully: Jesus, Eternal God! Jesus,
King of Kings! Jesus, Lord of Lords! Jesus, Judge of the living and
the dead! Jesus, Hope of the hopeless! Jesus, Comforter of the
mournful! 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, make
me ever mindful of death! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 10
Wishing to save the world, O Sunrise of the East, Thou didst come to
the dark Occident of our nature, and didst humble Thyself even to the
point of death. Therefore Thy Name is exalted above every name, and
from all the tribes of earth and heaven, Thou dost hear: Alleluia!
Oikos 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 cry to Thee with
compunction and say: Jesus, Treasurer Incorruptible! Jesus, Unfailing
Wealth! Jesus, Strong Food! Jesus, Inexhaustible Drink! Jesus, Garment
of the poor! Jesus, Defender of widows! Jesus, Protector of orphans!
Jesus, Helper of toilers! Jesus, Guide of pilgrims! Jesus, Pilot of
voyagers! Jesus, Calmer of tempests! Jesus, 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 my
daughter, but my flesh violently possessed with passions and burning
with fury. So grant healing to me, who cry to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 11
Having previously persecuted Thee Who art the Light that enlightens
those who are in the darkness of ignorance, Paul experienced the power
of the voice of divine enlightenment, and understood the swiftness of
the soul's conversion to God. Likewise, enlighten the dark eye of my
soul, as I cry: Jesus, my All-powerful King! Jesus, my Almighty God!
Jesus, my Immortal Lord! Jesus, my most glorious Creator! Jesus, my
most kind Teacher and Guide! Jesus, my most compassionate Shepherd!
Jesus, my most gracious Master! Jesus, my most merciful Saviour!
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 desires! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 12
Grant me Thy grace, O Jesus, Absolver of all debts, and receive me who
repent, 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!
Oikos 12
Praising Thy Incarnation, we all glorify Thee and, with Thomas, we
believe that Thou art our Lord and God, sitting with the Father and
coming to judge the living and the dead. Grant that then I may stand
on Thy right hand, who now cry: Jesus, Eternal King, have mercy on me!
Jesus, sweet-scented Flower, make me fragrant! Jesus, beloved Warmth,
make me warm! Jesus, Eternal Temple, shelter me! Jesus, Garment of
Light, adorn me! Jesus, Pearl of great price, beam on me! Jesus,
precious Stone, illumine me! Jesus, Sun of Righteousness, shine on me!
Jesus, holy Light, make me radiant! Jesus, deliver me from sickness of
soul and body! Jesus, rescue me from the hands of the adversary!
Jesus, save me from the unquenchable fire and from the other eternal
torments! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 13
O most sweet and most generous Jesus! Receive this our humble prayer,
as Thou didst receive the widow's mite and keep Thy faithful people
from all enemies, visible and invisible, from foreign invasion, from
disease and hunger, from all tribulations and mortal wounds, and
deliver from future torments all who cry to Thee: Alleluia! (Thrice)
And again Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read.
Prayers to Our Lord
JESUS CHRIST
O All-wise and All-gracious Lord, Our Saviour, Who didst enlighten all
the ends of the world by the radiance of Thy Coming, and Who didst
call us into Thy Holy Church through the promise of the inheritance of
incorruptible and eternal good! Graciously look down on us, Thy
worthless servants, and remember not our iniquities, but according to
Thy infinite mercies forgive all our sins. For though we transgress
Thy holy will, we do not deny Thee, Our God and Saviour. Against Thee
alone do we sin, yet Thee alone do we serve, in Thee alone do we
believe, to Thee alone do we come, and Thy servants only do we wish to
be. Remember the infirmity of our nature and the temptations of the
adversary and the worldly enticements and seducements which surround
us on all sides, and against which, according to Thy word, we can do
nothing without Thy help. Cleanse us and save us! Enlighten our minds
that we may firmly believe in Thee, our only Saviour and Redeemer!
Inspire our hearts that we may wholly love Thee, our only God and
Creator! Direct our steps that we may unstumblingly walk in the light
of Thy commandments! Yea, our Lord and Creator, show us Thy great and
abundant kindness, and make us live all the days of our life in
holiness and truth, that at the time of Thy glorious Second Coming, we
may be worthy to hear Thy gracious call into Thy Heavenly Kingdom.
Grant us, Thy sinful and unprofitable servants, to receive Thy
Kingdom, and that in the enjoyment of its ineffable beauty, we may
ever glorify Thee, together with Thy Eternal Father and Thy Ever-
living Divine Spirit to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sweetest Lord Jesus, strong Son of God, Who didst shed Thy precious
Blood and die for love of my love, I am ready to die for love of Thy
love. Sweetest Jesus, my Life and my All, I love and adore Thee. Thee
only do I wish for my Spouse, as Thou dost wish me for Thy bride. I
give myself to Thee. I surrender myself to Thee. O Jesus, Thou Whose
heart is ever turned to me, heal my heart, that I may feel the
sweetness of Thy love, that I may taste no sweetness but Thee, seek no
love but Thee, love no beauty but Thee. I have no desire but to please
Thee and to do Thy will. Teach me to repent, and to take up the Cross
daily and follow Thee with joy. Teach me to pray with faith and love.
Thyself pray in me, that with Thee I may love my enemies and pray for
them. Jesus, Thou art life in my death, strength in my weakness, light
in my darkness, joy in my sorrow, courage in my faint heartedness,
peace in my agitation, obedience in my prayer, glory in my dishonour,
and deliverance from my dishonour. Glory and thanks to Thee Jesus my
Saviour and Healer. Amen. |
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