SUNDAY WITH THE MOST HOLY VIRGIN THEOTOKOS

Akathist Hymn 

From the first Friday and for 5 Fridays during Lent the Orthodox Church has the service of the Salutations to the Virgin Mary, where the Akathist Hymn is chanted. This service is only celebrated during the Lentern period, enriching it with its beautiful poetic hymns and chants. 

It was composed and sung, according to tradition, as a thanksgiving to the Theotokos, for the protection of Constantinople from a siege by the Arabs in 626 A.D. The Akathis Hymn is the greatest egkomion, hymn ever written for the Mother of God. It has a number of characteristics, i.e. it is a historical, theological narrative, showing glory to the Theotokos. The twenty-four verses, each beginning with a letter of the Greek alphabet, form a beautiful religious poem regarding the coming of Christ for the salvation of the world. It is believed to have been written by St. Romanos the Melodist, one of the greatest Greek-speaking poets of all time. 

The Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Having secretly received the command, the Archangel hastened into Joseph's abode and spoke to the Holy Virgin. He Who bowed the Heavens with His descending, is wholly contained, yet unchanged in You. And seeing Him taking the likeness of a servant in your womb, I stand in amazement and cry unto you:

Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin [3 times]. 

Kontakion

Unto you, O Theotokos, invincible Champion, your City, in thanksgiving ascribes the victory for the deliverance from sufferings. And having your might unassailable, free us from all dangers, so that we may cry unto you:

Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin.

1

The Archangel was sent from Heaven to cry 'Rejoice!' to the Theotokos. And beholding You, O Lord, taking bodily form, he stood in awe, and with his bodiless voice he cried aloud to her such things as these:

Rejoice, you through whom joy shall shine forth. Rejoice, you whom the curse will vanish.

Rejoice, the Restoration of fallen Adam. Rejoice, the Redemption of the tears of Eve.

Rejoice, O Height beyond human logic. Rejoice, O depth invisible even to the eyes of Angels.

Rejoice, for you are the King's throne. Rejoice, you bear Him, Who bears the universe.

Rejoice, O Star revealing the Sun. Rejoice, O Womb of divine Incarnation.

Rejoice, you through whom creation is renewed. Rejoice, you through whom the Creator is born a Babe.

Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin.

Having shed the light of truth in Egypt, You expelled the darkness of falsehood; and unable to bear Your strength, O Saviour, her idols fell; and they that were set free from them cried to the Theotokos:

Rejoice, Uplifting of men. Rejoice, Downfall of demons.

Rejoice, you who trampled upon the delusion of error. Rejoice, you who censured the deceit of the idols.

Rejoice,Sea which drowned the symbolic Pharoah. Rejoice, Rock which refreshed those thirsting for life.

Rejoice, Pillar of fire, guiding those in darkness. Rejoice, Protection of the world, more spacious than a cloud.

Rejoice, Nourishment, successor to manna. Rejoice, Minister of holy joy.

Rejoice, Land of promise. Rejoice, you from whom flows milk and honey.

Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin.