Kontakion 1
Supreme Ruler and Lord of Heaven and earth, seeing Thee, the Immortal King, hanging on the Cross, all creation was changed. Heaven was horrified and the foundations of the earth were shaken. We offer unto Thee thankful adoration for Thy Passion in our behalf, unworthy though we are, and with the good thief we cry unto Thee:
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Ikos 1
In completing the choirs of angels, Thou didst not take on the angelic nature but, being the Eternal God, for our sake Thou didst become man. With Thy life-giving Body and Blood, Thou didst restore unto life men who were dead through sin. In gratitude for Thine amazing love, we humbly cry unto Thee:
Jesus, eternal love, Thou wast pleased to save us who are born of earth.
Jesus, infinite mercy, Thou didst come down here to us fallen creatures.
Jesus, Thou wast clothed in our flesh and didst destroy the dominion of death by Thy death.
Jesus, Thou dost deify us with Thy divine mysteries.
Jesus, Thou hast redeemed the entire world by Thy Cross and Passion.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 2
Seeing Thee in the Garden of Gethsemane, struggling in prayer until Thou didst sweat blood, an angel appeared and strengthened Thee as our sins weighed upon Thee like a heavy burden. Having taken lost Adam upon Thy shoulders, Thou didst bring him unto the Father by bending Thy knees and praying. Wherefore we sing unto Thee with faith and hope: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The Jews did not know the incomprehensible truth of Thy voluntary Passion. When Thou didst say unto those who were seeking Thee at night with lanterns: I Am He, even though they fell to the ground, yet afterwards they bound Thee and led Thee unto the judgment hall. It is fitting that we now fall down before Thee on the Way of the Cross, and cry with love:
Jesus, Light of the world, hated by evil and worldly people.
Jesus, Who dwellest in unapproachable light, seized by the realms of darkness.
Jesus, Immortal Son of God, condemned to death by a son of perdition.
Jesus, in Whom there is nothing false, falsely kissed by the traitor.
Jesus, Who givest Thyself freely unto all, sold for a sum of silver.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 3
By the power of Thy divinity, Thou didst foretell unto Thy disciple his threefold denial. Even though after this he denied Thee with an oath, yet when he saw Thee, his Lord and Master in the high priest’s court, his heart was touched and he went out and wept bitterly. Look, thence, also upon us, O Lord, and strike our hard heart, so that with tears we may wash away our sins and sing unto Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having true power as High Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek, Thou didst stand before the criminal high priest Caiaphas. O Lord and Master of all, as Thou didst willingly accept torture from Thy subjects, accept from us these prayers and praises:
Jesus, priceless one, Who wast bought for a price, adopt us into Thine eternal inheritance.
Jesus, innocent Lamb, torn by cruel scourges, rescue us from our enemies.
Jesus, desire of all nations, denied by Peter, reject not us sinners.
Jesus, High Priest, Who hast entered the Holy of Holies with Thy Blood, cleanse us from fleshly impurity.
Jesus, bound, Who hast the power to bind and to loose, absolve our grievous sins.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 4
Breathing a storm of murderous thoughts, the Jews, having listened to the voice of the father of lies and manslayer from time immemorial, the devil, rejected Thee Who art the right Way, the Truth, and the Life. Whereas we confess Thee to be the Christ, the power of God, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and we cry unto Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Having heard Thy meek and gentle words, Pilate delivered Thee up to be crucified as deserving death, even though he himself bore witness that he had found not a single fault in Thee. Although he washed his hands, he defiled his heart. Marveling at the mystery of Thy voluntary Passion, with compunction we cry unto Thee:
Jesus, Son of God and Son of the Virgin, tortured by the sons of iniquity.
Jesus, mocked and stripped, Who givest the flowers of the field their beauty and deckest the sky with clouds.
Jesus, inflicted with wounds, Who didst satisfy the hunger of five thousand men with five loaves of bread.
Jesus, King of all, Who instead of a tribute of love and gratitude receivest cruel tortures.
Jesus, Who art wounded all the day long for our sake, heal the wounds of our soul.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 5
Thou wast arrayed in Thy Divine Blood, O Thou Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment. I know, indeed I know with the Prophet why Thy garments are purple. I, Lord, it is I who wounded thee with my sins. For this reason, unto Thee Who wast wounded for my sake, I truly cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Foreseeing Thee in spirit covered with shame and wounds, the divinely inspired Isaiah cried in horror: We have seen Him, and He had no form or beauty. In like manner, seeing Thee on the Cross, we cry with fear:
Jesus, enduring dishonour, Who hast crowned man with glory and honour.
Jesus, upon Whom angels cannot gaze, slapped in the face.
Jesus, Who wast struck upon the head with a reed, bow our heads in humility.
Jesus, Whose bright eyes were darkened with blood, turn away our eyes from beholding vanity.
Jesus, Who from head to foot hadst no part whole, make us perfectly whole and healthy.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 6
Pilate proved a preacher of Thine innocence when he told the people that he found nothing in Thee deserving death. Whereas the Jews, like wild beasts at the sight of blood, gnashed their teeth at Thee and cried: Crucify, crucify Him. Let us then, as is proper, kiss Thy most pure wounds and cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Thou wast a spectacle and marvel unto men and angels, and unto Pilate who said of Thee: Behold the Man. Come, then, let us worship Christ the Saviour Who suffered abuse for our sake, as we cry:
Jesus, Creator and Judge of all, condemned and tortured by Thy creatures.
Jesus, giver of wisdom, Who gavest no answer to foolish questions.
Jesus, healer of those wounded by sin, grant us the healing of repentance.
Jesus, Shepherd Who wast struck, strike the demons that cause us temptation.
Jesus, crushed in body, crush our heart with Thy fear.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 7
Wishing to deliver mankind from slavery under the enemy, Thou didst humble Thyself before Thine enemies, Jesus, and like a lamb that is dumb Thou wast led unto the slaughter. Thou didst endure wounds all over, that having healed the whole man, he might cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Wonderful patience didst Thou shew when, after the sentencing of the unjust judge, the soldiers reviled Thee and punished Thee with cruel wounds upon Thy most pure Body, such that it was purple with Thy Blood from head to foot. It is fitting that with heartfelt tears we cry unto Thee:
Jesus, Lover of mankind, crowned with thorns by mankind.
Jesus, impassible in Thy divinity, Thou didst endure Thy Passion to free us from our passions.
Jesus, our Saviour, save us who deserve all sufferings.
Jesus, forsaken by all, our Strength, in our soul strengthen us.
Jesus, our Joy, from all insults gladden us.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 8
Strange and wonderful it was when Moses and Elijah appeared unto Thee on Mount Tabor. They spake of Thy death which Thou wast about to accomplish in Jerusalem, so that having beheld Thy glory there and seen our salvation here, we might cry with them: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Everywhere persecuted by the Jews because of the great multitude of our sins, Thou didst endure our shame and torment. Some say that Thou art opposed to Caesar, some accuse Thee of being a criminal, and others cry: Take Him, take Him, and crucify Him. Henceforth unto Thee, our Lord and God condemned by all and led unto crucifixion, from the depth of our soul we say:
Jesus, unjustly condemned, our Just Judge, punish us not according to our deeds.
Jesus, Who wast exhausted on the way under Thy Cross, our Power, forsake us not in the hour of our sorrow and suffering.
Jesus, Who didst cry for help unto the Father, our Exemplar, fortify us in our weakness.
Jesus, Who didst accept dishonour, our Glory, deprive us not of Thy glory.
Jesus, radiant image of the Father’s Being, transfigure our dark and impure ways of life.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 9
All nature was confounded at the sight of Thee hanging on the Cross. In the heavens the sun hid its rays, the earth quaked, the veil of the Temple was torn, the rocks split, and hell gave up its dead. Whereafter we fearfully and thankfully worship on the place where Thy most pure feet stood, crying: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Eloquent orators, even if they speak much, cannot render sufficient gratitude for Thy Divine Passion, O Lover of mankind. Even so, our soul and body, our heart and all our members with true compunction and devotion cry unto Thee:
Jesus, Who wast nailed onto the Cross, nail down and annul the handwriting of our sins.
Jesus, Who stretchest out Thy hands from the Cross unto all, draw us unto Thyself, for we too have gone astray.
Jesus, door of the sheep, pierced in Thy side, lead us through Thy wounds unto Thy bridal chamber.
Jesus, crucified in the flesh, crucify our flesh with its passions and desires.
Jesus, Who didst end Thy life in agony, grant that our heart may know nothing but Thee crucified.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the world, Thou didst heal the blind, the lame, the lepers, the deaf and the dumb, and didst drive out evil spirits. Notwithstanding, the foolish Jews, breathing envy and malice, nailed Thee onto the Cross, not knowing how to sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Jesus, Eternal King, Thou sufferest in every limb for our intemperance and incontinence, that Thou mightest make the whole of us pure, giving us a pattern in everything that we may follow in Thy steps and acceptably cry:
Jesus, unfathomable Love, Who didst not charge with sin those who crucified Thee.
Jesus, Who didst pray earnestly with crying and tears in the garden, teach us also to pray.
Jesus, Who hast fulfilled all prophecy in Thyself, fulfill our heart’s desire for goodness.
Jesus, Who didst surrender Thy spirit into Thy Father’s hands, in the hour of our death receive our spirit.
Jesus, Who didst not prevent the division of Thy garments, separate our soul from our body gently.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 11
Tender songs did Thine immaculate Mother offer unto Thee, saying: Even though Thou sufferest on the Cross, yet I know Thee from the womb to be begotten of the Father before the morning star, for I see that all creation is suffering with Thee. O Thou Who surrenderest Thy spirit unto the Father, receive also our spirit and forsake us not as we cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Like a light-receiving lamp the immaculate Virgin stood at Thy Cross, burning with love and torn with a mother’s grief for Thee, the true Sun of Righteousness setting into the grave. Along with her devotion, though we are unworthy, accept the prayers of our heart from us:
Jesus, Thou wast lifted up on the Tree that with Thyself Thou mightest lift us fallen creatures unto Thy Father.
Jesus, Thou didst give the Ever-Virgin as a Mother unto the Virgin Apostle that Thou mightest teach us purity and virginity.
Jesus, Who didst entrust Thy Mother unto Thy disciple, the Theologian, commit us also under her maternal protection.
Jesus, conqueror of the world and hell, conquer the unbelief, the pride of life, and the lust of the eyes that lurk within us.
Jesus, destroyer of the power of death, deliver us from eternal death.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 12
Grant us Thy grace, O Jesus our God. Receive us as Thou didst receive Joseph and Nicodemus, so that we may offer unto Thee our soul like a clean shroud, anoint Thy most pure Body with the fragrant spices of virtue, and keep Thee in our heart as in a holy tomb, as we cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Praising Thy voluntary Crucifixion, we worship Thy Passion, O Christ. We believe with the centurion that Thou art truly the Son of God Who art coming on the clouds with mighty power and everlasting glory. Yea, put us not to shame who are redeemed by Thy Precious Blood, and who gratefully cry aloud unto thee:
Jesus, longsuffering, by the lamentation of Thy Virgin Mother, rescue us from eternal weeping.
Jesus, forsaken by all, forsake us not in the hour of our death.
Jesus, along with Mary Magdalene who touched Thy feet, accept our repentance and adoration.
Jesus, condemn us not with the traitor and those who crucified Thee.
Jesus, bring us with the good thief into Paradise.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Kontakion 13
Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, accept this small act of thanksgiving offered unto Thee with all our soul. Heal us by Thy saving Passion from all sickness of soul and body. Protect us by Thy Cross from enemies both visible and invisible. Forsake us not at the end of our life, so that saved by Thy death from eternal death we may unceasingly cry unto Thee: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
(Repeat Kontakion 13 three times.)
Kontakion 1 (repeated)
Supreme Ruler and Lord of Heaven and earth, seeing Thee, the Immortal King, hanging on the Cross, all creation was changed. Heaven was horrified and the foundations of the earth were shaken. We offer unto Thee thankful adoration for Thy Passion in our behalf, unworthy though we are, and with the good thief we cry unto Thee:
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Ikos 1 (repeated)
In completing the choirs of angels, Thou didst not take on the angelic nature but, being the Eternal God, for our sake Thou didst become man. With Thy life-giving Body and Blood, Thou didst restore to life men who were dead through sin. In gratitude for Thine amazing love, we humbly cry unto Thee:
Jesus, eternal love, Thou wast pleased to save us who are born of earth.
Jesus, infinite mercy, Thou didst come down here to us fallen creatures.
Jesus, Thou wast clothed in our flesh and didst destroy the dominion of death by Thy death.
Jesus, Thou dost deify us with Thy divine mysteries.
Jesus, Thou hast redeemed the entire world by Thy Cross and Passion.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, we are not worthy to gather before Thee at the foot of Thy Cross along with the pure Virgin Mary and the holy Theologian John. Yet, in faithfulness to Thy Crucifixion, we stand before Thee to honour Thine extreme suffering, and we bow to the ground beneath Thee to ask Thy forgiveness for having inflicted this torture upon Thee, our Saviour. Let us not continue in life among those who mock and crucify, but transform us into true children of the Heavenly Father. Grant us the grace to walk in the True Way which Thou hast shewn us. Though we inflicted wounds upon Thee Who art innocent of all sin, we pray for the healing of our sins through Thy very Body and Blood which was sacrificed for us. Thou didst surrender Thy spirit, O Christ, and we submit our heart and mind unto Thee. We thank Thee for Thine incomprehensible and merciful love which Thou hast given unto mankind throughout the ages. Amen.
AKATHIST HYMNS, RECONSTRUCTED 