The Akathist Hymn

The devotional Hymns to the Virgin Mary are as ancient as the first Christian Church. The Byzantine Empire from its very inception, closely allied itself to the Virgin Mary and always sought Her protection. This we see from the Prayer Services to the Theotokos in the 5th, through the 8th Centuries. The Akathist Hymn, which has more than one Author, existed for the most part even before the established year of 626 A.D. The Kontakion (To the Invincible Champion. .. we ascribe the victory) was added then, and came to be recognized as the “Akathist Hymn”, because of the following miracle attributed to the Theotokos.

While the Emperor of Byzantium Heracleios was on an expedition to fight the aggression of the Persians on their own grounds, there appeared outside the walls of Constantinople barbaric hordes, mostly Avars. The siege lasted for a few months, and it was apparent that the outnumbered troops of the Queen City were reaching desperation.

However as history records, the faith of the people worked the impossible. The Venerable Patriarch Sergius with the Clergy and the high Official of Byzantium Vonos, endlessly marched along the great walls of Constantinople with the Holy Icon of the Theotokos in hand, and bolstered the faith of the defenders of freedom. The miracle came very soon. Unexpectedly, as the chronicler narrates, a great storm with huge tidal waves destroyed most of the fleet of the enemy, and full retreat ensued.

The faithful of Constantinople spontaneously filled the Church of the Theotokos at Vlachernae on the Golden Horn, and with the Patriarch Sergius officiating, they prayed all night singing the praises of the Virgin Mary without sitting. Hence the title of the Hymn “Akathistos” the Greek word for not seated.

This is the great Glory of our Holy Orthodox Church! Faith in the Almighty was primary and all-important. Our dependence on God was always beyond question, and from this faith we should strive not to stray. Therefore, Services like the “Akathist Hymn”, should be a must, and attended by all. Moreover, this particular Service links us so beautifully with a great and glorious period of our Christian History; it is also a very live tradition, which has never ceased in the Orthodox Church since the official year of the Hymn, 626A.D.

Living in these trying times, when we are besieged by many forces of evil, it is our hope that the “Akathist Hymn” as well as our other Services may become the bulwark to withstand, and indeed to overcome these forces.

The Akathist Hymn is composed of 24 Stanzas known as “Oikoi”. The starting letter of each of the 24 Stanzas in sequence is a letter of the Greek Alphabet, Alpha to the Omega. Twelve of the Stanzas are lengthy, and end with “Hail ! O Bride Ever-Virgin”, and the other twelve are rather short and conclude with “Alleluia”, a Hebrew word meaning “Praise the Lord”.

The Hymn is divided into 4 main parts, and briefly the content is as follows:

a. The Annunciation to the Virgin Mary.

b The Virgin Mary’s purity.

c. The Virgin Mary’s visit to Elizabeth.

d. The doubts of Joseph the protector, and his joy upon learning of the supernatural Conception.

a. The Shepherds hearing the Angels praising the Birth of the Lord and their visit to the Manger.

b. The adoration of the Magi.

c. The flight of the Holy Family to Egypt and the falling of the Idols.

d. The receiving of the Infant Jesus by the Prophet Symeon in the Temple on the 40th Day.

a. The new “Creation” which was wrought by the Incarnate Lord through the Theotokos.

b. The call for the lifting οf our minds to Heaven from where God descended.

c. The Lord’s Omnipresence, that while He came to earth He was no less in Heaven.

d. The confounding of the Philosophers and orators, who were at a loss to explain God’s condescension.

a. The Theotokos as a protectress of all the devout, and those who choose to flee unto Her.

b. God coming as one of us, amongst us, to draw us near to Him.

c. Our inability to adequately sing the praises of God, whose mercies are countless.

d. The Lord cancelling all the ancient spiritual debts, and the granting of His Grace to all.

e. Our prayers and petitions to the Holy Mother to protect us from misfortunes and save us from the future condemnation.

All through the points outlined above, there is a plethora of beautiful portrayals of the Holy Mother Mary, alluding to Her role in the Incarnation of the Lord, for the Salvation of Mankind.

1. Prayers to the Holy Trinity

2. The Lord’s Prayer

3, The 50th, 69th and 142nd Psalms

4. The Doxology

5. The Creed

6. The Magnificat (Megalynarion)

1. The Pro-oimion, introductory Hymn. (Kontakion)

2. The Canon, consisting of 9 Odes, omitting the 2nd.

3. The Hairetismoi, Laudations to the Virgin Mary.

4. The Kontakion. (repetition of the above).

1. Prayer to the Holy Trinity

2. The Lord’s Prayer

3. The Kontakion

4. Prayer to the Lord

5. Prayer to the All-Holy Theotokos

6. Prayer to the Lord

6a. (Reading of the Gospel of St. John 15:1-7, only during the first Friday)

7. The Dismissal Prayer

8. Ektenia (supplications)

9. Hymn to the Virgin Mary (The comeliness...)

10. The closing Prayer

SOURCE : The Akathist Hymn, Father George Papadeas - Patmos Press