The Akathist Hymn is a Prayer to Our Most Holy Mother of God. It is a Prayer of praises and addresses Our Most Holy Mother of God the way Archangel Gabriel greeted her with the most wonderful news of the Incarnation of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ into the world – Rejoice! The Salutations are Prayed at Church each Friday evening during Holy and Great Lent, and by the faithful every day in their personal Prayers.
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“Because I very much like the beautiful Akathist Hymn, I will love, protect, cover and shelter from any bad thing, every Christian who will read my Akathist Hymn to me once a day, and who will live according to the Commandments of God. On the last day of his life, I will defend him before my Son.” – Our Most Holy Mother of God
The Akathist to the Mother of God shows how many, what an infinite number of unspeakable Spiritual benefits God gave to the human race through her. – Saint John of Kronstadt
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“Awed by the beauty of thy Virginity and the exceeding radiance of thy Purity, Gabriel called out unto thee, O Theotokos: What worthy hymn of praise can I offer unto thee? And what shall I name thee? I am in doubt and stand in awe. Wherefore as commanded, I cry to thee: Rejoice, O Full of Grace.”
Prayers
Apolytikion: When the bodiless one learned the secret command, in haste he came and stood before Joseph’s dwelling, and spake unto the Maiden who knew not wedlock: The One Who hath bowed the Heavens by His descent is held and contained unchanging wholly in thee. Seeing Him receiving the form of a servant in thy womb, I stand in awe and cry to thee: Rejoice, thou Bride Unwedded.
Kontakion: To you, Theotokos, Invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: “Hail, Unwedded Bride!”
Apolytikion: Your Holy Icon of the Akathist, our Mother, we now venerate all-reverently, and we glorify You, O Lady. For our protections towards us has come and it pours forth healings, from all dangers and sorrows drive away, as we cry out in thanksgiving: Glory to God Who glorified you, Glory to Him Who magnified you, Glory to you who saved us through your giving birth!
The Akathist Hymn in Icons
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