| Acknowledgements | Akathist |
I remember my very first Pilgrimage to Russia. On my very first day, as I was entering a Russian Orthodox Church, the clergy and faithful were singing the Akathist to the patron saint of that church. I was move to tears as I watched this sea of humanity praying with such piety and enthusiasm. Some worshipers had services booklets in their hands and others were singing from memory.
The literal meaning of this Greek word is "not sitting" as was the custom of Orthodox Christians to remain standing throughout the singing or reading of these pious devotions in church or privately at home before ones holy icons.
A series of hymns consisting of thirteen Kontakia (short hymns), each followed by a refrain and the first twelve followed also by an Oikos (pi. Oikoi). An in-toned or chanted hymn, somewhat longer than a Kontakion is sung. Then a fixed number of lines beginning with the words, "REJOICE", "JESUS", "HAIL" or "HOLY ART THOU".
Within our Holy Orthodox Church, you can find numerous Akathists. Some of the authors are known by the Church, others known only unto God.
On the 5th Saturday of Great Lent, a special Akathist is read or sung to the Mother of God. This was the first done in the City of Constantinople in 626, History tells us that the faithful Orthodox Christians came together to offer hymns and prayers of thanksgiving ta bur Theotokos after their deliverance from warring barbarians. The people spent the whole night standing in church while singing. It is now held to help us keep our trust in Her, our heavenly protectress, the Mother of God. She prays for us to Her Son to defend us not only from our earthly enemies, but in our struggle with unseen spiritual foes.
Little information of the author of this Akathist. Some suggest that the author was the Venerable Roman, the Melodist. He was one of the few to compose hymns for the vaious feast days of our Orthodox services.
The contents of this Akathist is so profound and powerful that it incorporates the whole devotional teachings of our Orthodox faith concerning our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary.
Another type of Akathist was written by Archpriest Gregory Petroff, who died in a Soviet prison camp in the 1940's. He was able to write such moving and poetic hymns of praise and gratitude within the horrible conditions of those years. It shows us the depth of ones spirituality. And if anything, it strengthens and encourages us as we meet our day with all its joy and sorrow, praising God for all things. The title of Fr. Gregory's Akathist comes from the words of St. John Chrysostom as he was in exile, "GLORY TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS".
The Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Monastery in Jordanville, New York, has printed a 398-page book of Akathists in English called "BOOK OF AKATHIST". A true spiritual treasure.
Finally, pious Orthodox Christians will be writing Akathist Hymns until the end of time!
Special thanks must be made to the following, without whom this Akathist to "The Chief Apostles, Peter & Paul", could not have been compiled and edited: