Akathist Hymn: Salutations 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 unwedded Bride.
To thee, the Champion Leader,
O Theotokos
we thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and thanksgiving
as ones rescued from suffering ;
but as thou art one with invincible might,
Deliver us from all possible dangers ,
so that we may cry to thee:
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 1
An Angel of supreme rank was sent down from heaven to say to the Theotokos, Rejoice. (3x) And perceiving You take bodily form at the sound of his bodiless voice, O Lord, he was astounded and he stood shouting to her such salutations:
Rejoice, through whom is the joy to shine forth.
Rejoice, through whom is the curse to vanish.
Rejoice, restoration of Adam the fallen one. Rejoice, liberation of Eve from tears.
Rejoice, height to which the thoughts of men are hardly able to ascend.
Rejoice, depth which for the Angels’ eyes is very hard to apprehend.
Rejoice, for you are a throne for the King.
Rejoice, for you hold the One who holds everything.
Rejoice, the star causing the Sun’s manifestation.
Rejoice, the womb of the divine incarnation.
Rejoice, through whom is creation re-created.
Rejoice, by whom is the Creator procreated.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 2
Beholding herself wholly kept in chastity, boldly says to Gabriel she who is holy: The exceptional tidings of your voice seem difficult for my soul to accept. For what do you mean, pregnancy by unseeded conception, crying, Alleluia.
Oekos 3
Curious to know knowledge that is knowable to no one, the Virgin cried to the serving Angel: How is it possible for a son to be born of inviolate loins? Tell me please. And he with fear replied to her, albeit shouting thusly:
Rejoice, initiate of secret counsel.
Rejoice, assurance of what calls for silence.
Rejoice, introduction to the miracles of Christ.
Rejoice, consummation of His articles of faith.
Rejoice, heavenly ladder by which did God himself descend.
Rejoice, bridge that conveys unto heaven earthborn men.
Rejoice, the wonder most renowned among Angels.
Rejoice, the wound greatly bemourned by the demons.
Rejoice, who bear the Light inexplicably.
Rejoice, who declare the manner to nobody.
Rejoice, transcending the knowledge of scholars.
Rejoice, illumining minds of believers.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 3
Divine power of the Most High, to effect her conception, overshadowed the unwedded Damsel; and it made her luxuriant womb to appear as a luscious field for everyone who desires to reap salvation while chanting, Alleluia.
Oekos 4
Eagerly did the Virgin, hosting God in her body, then hasten to visit Elizabeth, whose own infant recognized the voice of her greeting at once and rejoiced in the womb; and with leaps and bounds for songful sounds, he shouted to the Theotokos:
Rejoice, the branch with its shoot unwithered.
Rejoice, the ranch with its fruit unblemished.
Rejoice, for the man-loving Husbandman you cultivate.
Rejoice, for the Gardener of our life you germinate.
Rejoice, arable land yielding tender mercies hundredfold.
Rejoice, banquet table whereupon has forgiveness overflowed.
Rejoice, for the meadow of delight you make flourish.
Rejoice, for a haven of our souls do you furnish.
Rejoice, accepted incense of intercession.
Rejoice, the universe’s expiation.
Rejoice, the good pleasure of God unto mortals.
Rejoice, the confidence of mortals before God.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 5
Fraught within with confusion brought about by doubtful thoughts, the temperate Joseph was troubled as he looked upon you the unwed and suspected adultery, O blameless one. But when he learned that your concep-tion was by the Holy Spirit, he uttered, Alleluia.
Oekos 6
Gloriously extolling the incarnate appearance of Christ did the shepherds hear the Angels. And running as though to a shepherd, they perceived Him to be as it were a blameless lamb that had been pastured in the womb of Mary whom they lauded saying:
Rejoice, O Mother of the Lamb and Shepherd.
Rejoice, O sheepfold of sheep with reason.
Rejoice, who ward off invisible enemies.
Rejoice, who open the portals of Paradise.
Rejoice, for the things of heaven are now exulting with the earth.
Rejoice, for the things of earth along with heaven dance for joy.
Rejoice, indefatigable voice of the Apostles.
Rejoice, undefeatable valiance of the Martyrs.
Rejoice, the mighty foundation of faith.
Rejoice, the bright indication of grace.
Rejoice, through whom is Hades divested.
Rejoice, through whom we are vested in glory.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 7
Having visibly sighted the star proceeding Godward, the Magi followed after its brightness; and thereto clinging as to a light did they search thereby for a mighty King; and reaching the Unreachable they rejoiced and shouted to Him: Alleluia.
Oekos 8
In the hands of the Virgin saw the Chaldeans’ children Him who fashioned mankind with His own hand; and perceiving that He was the Lord, even though He had taken the form of a slave, they hastened to pay tribute with gifts and salute the blessed Maiden:
Rejoice, O Mother of the unsetting Star.
Rejoice, O dawn of the mystical Day.
Rejoice, who extinguished the furnace of fallacy.
Rejoice, who enlighten initiates of the Trinity.
Rejoice, for you have deposed the inhuman tyrant from his reign.
Rejoice, for you have disclosed Christ the Lord who is humane.
Rejoice, O redeemer from the Magian religion.
Rejoice, who deliver from the clay of the burdens.
Rejoice, for the cult of fire you terminate.
Rejoice, from the flame of passions you liberate.
Rejoice, the guide of believers to temperance.
Rejoice, the gladness of all generations.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 9
Keeping to the oracles that bore on You, the Magi, having now become God-bearing heralds, proclaimed to all that You are the Christ as they journeyed back to their own country Babylon, abandoning Herod as a babbling king who knew not how to sing, Alleluia.
Oekos 10
Lightening in Egypt the true illumination, You dispelled the darkness of delusion; O Savior, for the idols thereof, unable to endure Your might, tumbled down, while they who were delivered from them shouted to the Theotokos:
Rejoice, man’s rehabilitation.
Rejoice, the demons’ ruination.
Rejoice, who crushed the delusion of fallacy.
Rejoice, who uncovered the ruse of idolatry.
Rejoice, sea that caused the spiritual Pharaoh to drown.
Rejoice, rock that gave those thirsting for life to drink.
Rejoice, pillar of fire that guides those in darkness.
Rejoice, shelter of the world that is wider than the cloud was.
Rejoice, supplanting manna as edibles.
Rejoice, supplying holy delectables.
Rejoice, for you are the land of promise.
Rejoice, from you flow the milk and the honey.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 11
Master, You were presented as a babe unto Symeon on the threshold of being transported out of this present beguiling age, but also perceived by him to be perfect God; for which cause did he marvel at Your ineffable wisdom, crying: Alleluia
Oekos 12
New creation was shown by the Creator in showing himself unto us whom He created, sprouting up from an unseeded womb, while pre-serving it just as it was, inviolate, so that beholding the miracle we might extol her, exclaiming:
Rejoice, O flower of incorruptness.
Rejoice, O crown of laurel for continence.
Rejoice, for in you resurrection is typified.
Rejoice, for angelical life you exemplified.
Rejoice, fertile tree with luscious fruit, by which believers are sustained.
Rejoice, foliaged tree beneath which are many sheltered in its shade.
Rejoice, for you were pregnant with the Guide for the errant.
Rejoice, for of the Freer of captives you are the parent.
Rejoice, who plead till the just Judge surrenders.
Rejoice, forgiveness for many offenders.
Rejoice, the vesture of those stripped of confidence.
Rejoice, the tender love that conquers every longing.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 13
On seeing the strange childbirth, let’s be estranged from the mundane, transporting our mind unto heaven. For this purpose the supernal God as a humble human being appeared down on earth, intending to attract unto the summit those who cry out to Him, Alleluia.
Oekos 14
Present below completely and above nowise absent was the uncircum-scribable Logos. For it was no migration through space, but divine con-descension that had taken place, and childbirth from a God-possessed Virgin who hears this that follows:
Rejoice, the uncontainable God’s container.
Rejoice, the magnificent mystery’s doorway.
Rejoice, for unbelievers a doubtful story.
Rejoice, for the believers the doubtless glory.
Rejoice, all-holy vehicle of Him who rides the Cherubim.
Rejoice, exquisite domicile 20 of Him who mounts the Seraphim.
Rejoice, who integrate in yourself a contradiction.
Rejoice, who incorporate both virginity and parturition.
Rejoice, through whom the trespass was nullified.
Rejoice, through whom was Paradise opened wide.
Rejoice, the opener to Christ’s kingdom.
Rejoice, the hope of eternal blessings.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 15
Quite amazed by the great deed of Your incarnation was the entire nature of Angels. For the once inaccessible God they beheld accessible to all as a man, with us together sojourning while thusly hearing from everyone: Alleluia.
Oekos 16
Richly eloquent rhetors we see speechless as fishes when they contem-plate you, O Theotokos. For at a loss are they to explain how you managed childbirth and a virgin yet remain. But we, in marveling at the mystery, cry out with conviction:
Rejoice, God’s Wisdom’s repository.
Rejoice, His providence’s depository.
Rejoice, who prove the philosophers wisdomless.
Rejoice, who reprove the sophists as ridiculous.
Rejoice, for the fierce debaters becoming fools lost their taste.
Rejoice, for the creators of the myths have faded away.
Rejoice, you who rend the webs of the Athenians.
Rejoice, you who fill the nets of the Fishermen.
Rejoice, who drag out from the deep of ignorance.
Rejoice, who illumine many with cognizance.
Rejoice, the barge for those seeking salvation.
Rejoice, the harbor for life’s navigators.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 17
Set on saving the cosmos, He who set all things in order came down to it of His own volition. And though being the Shepherd as God, for us He appeared like us, as a man; and having called His own, like by like, as God He hears, Alleluia.
Oekos 18
Theotokos, O Virgin, you are the fortress for virgins and all who to you run for refuge. For the Maker of heaven and earth, O immaculate Maiden, thus constructed you. He inhabited your womb and instructed all how to address you:
Rejoice, O pillar of the virgin station.
Rejoice, O portal of man’s salvation.
Rejoice, initiator of interior renaissance.
Rejoice, administrator of God’s beneficence.
Rejoice, for you regenerated those who were shamefully conceived.
Rejoice, for you reeducated those whose intellects had been seized.
Rejoice, incapacitator of the deflowerer of sanity.
Rejoice, procreator of the Sower of chastity.
Rejoice, of ungamic 22 union the bridal room.
Rejoice, who unite believers to the Lord as Groom.
Rejoice, O beautiful nursemaid of virgins.
Rejoice, O bridesmaid of souls that are holy.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 19
Unsuccessful is every hymn that hastens to pay tribute to the multitude of Your tender mercies. For even if we offer You odes in number equal to the sands, O holy King, yet we do nothing worthy of what You have given us who cry to You: Alleluia.
Oekos 20
Viewing the holy Virgin, we see a light-bearing lantern that shone upon those who were in darkness. For she lit the immaterial light, and to divine knowledge thus conducts everyone, enlightening the intellect, and honored by such acclamations:
Rejoice, the ray of the intelligible daystar.
Rejoice, the beam of the unwaning luster.
Rejoice, flash of lightning that brightly illumines souls.
Rejoice, who like thunder have stunned our enemies.
Rejoice, for you cause the rising up of the light that brightly glows.
Rejoice, for you cause the gushing up of the stream that mightily flows.
Rejoice, who illustrate the baptismal font’s image.
Rejoice, who eliminate the stain of sin’s stigma.
Rejoice, the laver washing out consciences.
Rejoice, the krater 23 serving what gladdens hearts.
Rejoice, the fragrance of Christ’s aroma.
Rejoice, the life of mystical feasting.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Oekos 21
Wishing to grant remission of ancient obligations, He who cancels the debts of all people came himself as a stranger and dwelt among those who were from His divine grace estranged; and tearing up the bond of sin, He hears from everyone, Alleluia.
Oekos 22
Extolling your birthgiving with songs, we all praise you as a live temple, O Theotokos. For the Lord who encompasses all in His hand, having made His abode in your womb, sanctified you and glorified you and taught all people to cry to you:
Rejoice, O tabernacle of God the Logos.
Rejoice, O holier than the holies.
Rejoice, ark that was gilt by the Spirit.
Rejoice, life’s inexhaustible treasure.
Rejoice, exquisite diadem of kings with true beliefs.
Rejoice, reverential pride of profoundly pious priests.
Rejoice, the Church’s unshaken citadel.
Rejoice, the Empire’s fortress that never fell.
Rejoice, through whom rise trophies of victory.
Rejoice, through whom fall enemies utterly.
Rejoice, my bodily health’s restoration.
Rejoice, my soul’s everlasting salvation.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
In a low voice :“Most Holy Theotokos, save us.” You, all-laudable Mother who gave birth to the Logos Who is holiest of all who are holy: (3x) O accept this offering now, and from calami-ties all deliver everyone, and redeem from the future torments of hell those who cry out with zeal: Alleluia.
Tone Three. Original Melody.
Seeing the beauty of your virginity, * and how resplendently shone forth your chastity, * amazed was Gabriel who cried to you thus, O Theotokos: * What shall I present to you * as a worthy encomium? * What shall I address you as? * At a loss and perplexed am I. * As ordered, there-fore, thus do I shout to you: * Rejoice, O Maiden who are full of grace!
To thee, the Champion Leader,
O Theotokos
we thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and thanksgiving
as ones rescued from suffering ;
but as thou art one with invincible might,
Deliver us from all possible dangers ,
so that we may cry to thee:
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Other Languages
Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου gr
Akáthist Hymne nl
Акафист Пресвятой Богородице ru
Akathist Hymn: Salutations to the Theotokos en