Kontakion 1
Unto thee, the Queen of all, do we thy servants offer a hymn of victory and thanksgiving, as ones who have been delivered from eternal death by the grace of Christ our God Who was born of thee, and by thy maternal mediation before Him. Since thou dost have invincible might, free us from all misfortune and sorrowful circumstances as we cry aloud:
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Ikos 1
An archangel was sent from Heaven to declare unto the Virgin Mary, “Rejoice,” announcing the Divine Incarnation of Christ Who desired to be born of her — the joy of the entire world which was languishing in sorrow. Whereafter, heavy-laden with sins but having obtained the hope of salvation in thee, we cry unto thee with compunction:
Rejoice, goodwill of God toward sinners.
Rejoice, strong help for those that repent before the Lord God.
Rejoice, restoration of fallen Adam.
Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve.
Rejoice, thou who dost remove the stain of sin.
Rejoice, laver who dost wash the conscience clean.
Rejoice, thou who didst bear the Redeemer Who doth freely cleanse us of our transgressions.
Rejoice, all-wondrous reconciliation of all with God.
Rejoice, thou who savest the world from the flood of sin.
Rejoice, bridge who dost truly lead us from death unto life.
Rejoice, thou who art the cause of deification for all.
Rejoice, heavenly ladder by whom the Lord descended to us.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 2
We behold the streams of wonders which pour forth from thy holy icon, O most blessed Mother of God. Since thou art the good helper of them that pray, the support of the oppressed, the hope of the hopeless, the consolation of them that grieve, the nourisher of the hungry, the raiment of the naked, the chastity of virgins, the guide of strangers, the aid of them that labor, the restoration of sight for the blind, the clear hearing of the deaf, and the healing of the sick, through thee do we thankfully chant unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Seeking to understand the incomprehensible reason for the bitter sorrows that assail us, and in need of consolation, we flee to thine aid, O Mother and Virgin. Since thou art good, teach us to see in our sorrows the merciful providence of thy Good Son for the salvation of our soul and the cleansing of our many transgressions, so that we may joyfully cry unto thee:
Rejoice, calm haven of the tempest-tossed.
Rejoice, sure confirmation of them in doubt.
Rejoice, only Mother of loving-kindness.
Rejoice, ready helper of them in misfortune and temptation.
Rejoice, thou who dost wash away the sorrows of our sins.
Rejoice, thou who healest the grief of our spiritual infirmity.
Rejoice, thou who dost teach us to scorn the vain pleasures of this world.
Rejoice, thou who wisely leadest our mind from this world unto that which transcendeth it.
Rejoice, thou who drawest us from the love of things earthly unto the heavenly love of God.
Rejoice, thou who grantest us consolation and a life filled with grace amid our very sorrows.
Rejoice, pledge of eternal blessings.
Rejoice, Mediatress of everlasting joy.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 3
By the power given unto thee from on high, do thou strengthen us who are afflicted in body and soul, O good Lady, and vouchsafe us thy loving visitation and provident care. Dispel the gloom of despondency and sorrow which enfoldeth us, blessed Mother, that saved by thee we may gratefully cry unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Thou who hast an ineffable wealth of loving-kindness, who dost stretch forth the hand of thine aid unto all that sorrow, who curest our infirmities and healest our passions: O disdain us not in our lowliness, most blessed Lady, for we lie upon the bed of affliction and cry unto thee:
Rejoice, priceless treasury of mercy.
Rejoice, sole hope of the desperate.
Rejoice, healing of the body.
Rejoice, salvation of the soul.
Rejoice, unfailing strength of the infirm.
Rejoice, perpetual aid of the disabled.
Rejoice, thou who quickly assuagest the wrath of God by thy supplications.
Rejoice, thou who dost tame our passions by the power of thy prayers.
Rejoice, sight for the blind and hearing for the deaf.
Rejoice, feet for the lame and speech for the dumb.
Rejoice, visitation of good cheer for the sick.
Rejoice, through thee are grace-filled healings granted unto the suffering, according to the measure of their faith.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 4
A tempest of many misfortunes and temptations doth beset us, and no longer can we endure its raging. Merciful Mother of our Saviour and God, lift up thy hands unto thy Son and beseech Him to regard the bitter sorrows of our heart and to lift us from the abyss of desperation, for thus we cry unto Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Most holy Virgin and Mother, hearing the prophecy of the righteous Simeon: A sword shall pierce through thine own soul, thou didst keep all these sayings in thy heart. Thou didst understand that the joy of a mother’s heart over her children can be accompanied by much grief in this world. Since thou art one tried in everything and able to commiserate with a mother’s sorrows, we cry unto thee:
Rejoice, Handmaiden of the Almighty God.
Rejoice, Birthgiver of the Saviour Christ, the Light of the world.
Rejoice, deliverer the world from sorrows.
Rejoice, gracious preservation of their children.
Rejoice, thou who didst endure the blasphemies and slanders hurled at thy Son.
Rejoice, thou who didst suffer together with Him through His suffering.
Rejoice, speedy help amid misfortune.
Rejoice, correction of the erring.
Rejoice, nourishment of infants.
Rejoice, guidance of the young.
Rejoice, Mother of the orphaned.
Rejoice, refuge of widows.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 5
Witnessing the divinely flowing Blood of thy Son poured forth upon the Cross of our salvation, as the Handmaiden of the Lord who didst humbly submit thyself unto the will of the Father Who is in the heavens, thou didst give us an example of endurance and patience. Yea, amid the furnace of temptation and present misfortune we cry with hope unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Accepting thee crucified with Him in thy heart as thou didst stand with His beloved disciple at the Cross, thy Son and God did say: Woman, behold thy son, and to His disciple: Behold thy mother, thereby giving thee as children all that believe in Him. Therefore, having thee as a good Mother and placing all our hope in thee amid our sorrow, we also partake of the sorrows and sufferings of thy Son, and we fervently cry unto thee:
Rejoice, Mother of the Christian race.
Rejoice, thou who didst adopt us at the Cross of thy Son.
Rejoice, thou who didst unite God with mankind.
Rejoice, thou who didst join the faithful unto the Lord.
Rejoice, thou who didst bear the Lamb Who taketh away the sins of the world.
Rejoice, cup who pourest forth blessings upon us from the Fountain of Immortality.
Rejoice, surety of the salvation of sinners.
Rejoice, search for the perishing.
Rejoice, unexpected joy of sinners.
Rejoice, raising-up of all the fallen.
Rejoice, healing of all infirmities.
Rejoice, alleviation of every sorrow.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 6
Mother of God, all the ends of the earth proclaim thy mercy, for thou dost shelter the whole Christian race with thy sacred protection. Thou dost supplicate Christ our Saviour and dost deliver from all misfortune thy pious and God-fearing servants that truly cry unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Beholding the radiant grace which shineth forth from thy most wondrous icon, O Virgin Theotokos, and falling down before it with tears, we beseech thee: Disperse the clouds of temptation which have come upon us, so that we may cry unto thee with joy:
Rejoice, thou who bearest the supplications of the faithful unto thy Son and God.
Rejoice, thou who thyself dost pray for us at the Throne of thy Son.
Rejoice, intercessor before God, saving the world from calamities.
Rejoice, help of the Christian race, given unto us by God.
Rejoice, tree of goodly shade, whereby many are sheltered.
Rejoice, tree bearing radiant fruit, whereby the faithful are nourished.
Rejoice, shelter of the world, more spacious than a cloud.
Rejoice, Land of Promise, flowing forth milk and honey.
Rejoice, radiant cloud, unceasingly illuminating the faithful.
Rejoice, pillar of fire, guiding the elect unto their heavenly inheritance.
Rejoice, field who yieldest an abundance of compassion.
Rejoice, bestower of every blessing.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 7
Desiring to produce streams of wonders from thine icon, “The Joy of All Who Sorrow,” thou, O Virgin Mother, didst command the ailing Euphemia to have a moleben served before it. Upon receiving healing, she was to proclaim unto all the mercy bestowed through this icon, that the source of gracious healings be not hid from those in need. We likewise hide not thy good deeds, but thankfully glorify God and cry unto Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Thy temple in which we bow down before thy wonderworking icon, most pure Lady, is shewn to be a new pool of Siloam, surpassing the one of old. For, health of body is given not once a year and not just unto the first-come. Rather, thou dost always heal every ailment and every disease of the soul and body of them that hasten to thee with faith and love. Let us come then, and unceasingly cry unto thee:
Rejoice, font wherein our sorrows are drowned.
Rejoice, cup whereby we partake of joy and salvation.
Rejoice, rock who givest drink unto them that thirst for life.
Rejoice, flower who dost sweeten the bitter sea of life.
Rejoice, inexhaustible fountain of life-giving waters.
Rejoice, laver who dost wash away the stain of sin.
Rejoice, soothing of our sorrows.
Rejoice, calming of our tribulations.
Rejoice, healing of our afflictions.
Rejoice, deliverance from misfortunes.
Rejoice, trampling-down of demons.
Rejoice, humiliation of enemies.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 8
Strangers and pilgrims are we on this earth. In the words of the apostle, we endure perils at the hands of enemies, perils at the hands of relatives, perils at the hands of false brethren, and in much want and sorrow. Since thou art the good Directress, O Lady, do thou grant remission of our transgressions before the end, so that we may acceptably cry unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Our whole life on earth is painful and filled with grief because of false accusations, reproaches, insults, and various other misfortunes and temptations — for the flesh is weak and our spirit faileth. Henceforth we flee to thine aid, O Mother of God, falling down before thine all-pure icon. Fill our sorrowful heart with gladness as we rightfully cry unto thee:
Rejoice, guide who dost direct us unto the heavenly fatherland.
Rejoice, Queen of Heaven and earth who dost open for us the gates of Paradise.
Rejoice, merciful one who hast mercy upon us.
Rejoice, our Lady who orderest well our life.
Rejoice, bedewed fleece which Gideon did foresee.
Rejoice, blessed womb which did contain the uncontainable God of all.
Rejoice, bush which burnt and yet remained unconsumed.
Rejoice, unassailable wall.
Rejoice, life-giving spring.
Rejoice, never-fading bloom.
Rejoice, softening of the hearts of the wicked.
Rejoice, compunction of the good.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 9
Every sweetness of life in this world partaketh of sorrow. Glory endureth not, wealth passeth, beauty and health fade away, and friends and neighbors are taken by death. For this cause, sweeten our sorrows, O thou cause of every good thing, bestowing thine incorruptible joy upon us that cry unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The most eloquent orators know not the words with which to console the sorrowful. Wherefore do thou thyself, our Lady, speak consolation unto our heart, dispersing the cloud of our sorrow and the gloom of our desperation with the rays of thy grace, that we may cry unto thee:
Rejoice, gladness of all Christians that have confidence in thee.
Rejoice, joy and tranquility of the world.
Rejoice, bestower of divine goodness.
Rejoice, hope of eternal blessings.
Rejoice, ship of them that wish to be saved.
Rejoice, harbor for the voyages of life.
Rejoice, faithful preserver of them that, after God, do trust in thee.
Rejoice, vesture of them that are stripped of boldness.
Rejoice, guardian of them that turn away from evil.
Rejoice, fortification and sacred refuge of all the faithful.
Rejoice, help of them that faithfully pray to thee.
Rejoice, radiant knowledge of grace.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the human race from eternal torment and endless sorrow, the Lord Who loveth mankind dwelt in thine ever-virgin womb. He gave thee, His own Mother, unto the perishing as a help, protection and defense. Thenceforth thou didst become the consolation of the heartbroken, the joy of the sorrowful, and the hope of the desperate. Thou dost release from everlasting torment by thine intercession, and lead unto heavenly gladness all that faithfully cry unto thy Son and our God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art the bulwark of virgins, O Virgin Theotokos, and of all that flee to thy protection. We beseech thee, good Mother, that thou wilt help, protect and preserve from temptation, affliction and misfortune all the orphans and helpless ones that cry unto thee with love:
Rejoice, Protectress of virginity.
Rejoice, chosen vessel of purity and chastity.
Rejoice, special crowning of them that by renunciation crucify the flesh.
Rejoice, bestower of eternal rejoicing upon them that mourn profitably as monks and nuns.
Rejoice, thou who dost quench the flame of the passions.
Rejoice, thou who dost dispel the darkness of temptations.
Rejoice, guide to chastity.
Rejoice, rampart of purity.
Rejoice, reformation of mankind.
Rejoice, Mediatress of the fallen.
Rejoice, steadfast affirmation of the Faith.
Rejoice, pleasing incense of prayer.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 11
We, thy servants, offer thee a hymn of compunction, O Theotokos, for thou art the all-powerful helper of our race. Assuage the pains of those who flee to thine aid. Appease the wrath of God which hath been justly aroused against us because of our sins. Deliver us from every bitter pain and sorrow, so that we may cry unto God through thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Our Lady, thy most honored icon, a light-bearing lamp lit by the ember of the grace of God, hath appeared unto us for our sanctification and consolation. Honouring it with love and falling down before it with faith, we cry unto thee:
Rejoice, thou who by thy mighty help dost deliver us from all calamities.
Rejoice, thou who dost defend us from earthquake and flood.
Rejoice, thou who dost provide for us against hunger of body and soul.
Rejoice, thou who dost extinguish the fire of passions by the dew of thy prayers.
Rejoice, thou who dost save us from deadly pestilence.
Rejoice, mighty helper in battles.
Rejoice, defender against the invasions of foreigners.
Rejoice, preservation from civil strife.
Rejoice, safe passageway of them that sail upon the water.
Rejoice, good guide of them that travel.
Rejoice, liberation of captives.
Rejoice, gracious deliverance from the righteous wrath of God which threateneth us.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 12
Wishing to give a pledge of grace unto mankind, thou didst reveal thy healing icon unto us, Mother of God, from which streams of wonders are poured forth for them that approach with faith — infirmities are healed and sorrows assuaged. Thus we cry unto God through thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Lauding thy mercies and wonders, O blessed Mother, we praise thee as our steadfast Mediatress, and we bow down with compunction before thee who prayest for us. We implore thee to lift up thy hands unto thy Son, that always in this life and after our death His mercy may continually be upon us that cry unto thee:
Rejoice, our unashamed hope in life and after our repose.
Rejoice, thou who dost grant a peaceful end of this life unto them that trust in thee.
Rejoice, our hope and defense on the Day of Judgment.
Rejoice, supplication of the Just Judge.
Rejoice, deliverance from everlasting gehenna.
Rejoice, opening of eternal salvation.
Rejoice, key to the Kingdom of Christ.
Rejoice, portal of Paradise.
Rejoice, bridge leading unto Heaven.
Rejoice, haven and good intercessor for all repentant sinners.
Rejoice, joy of the angels.
Rejoice, glory and consolation of all the righteous.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Kontakion 13
All-hymned and divinely favored Mother, thou who didst bear Christ the King and our God unto the joy of Heaven and earth: Hearken unto the voice of thy sorrowing servants. Having heard our small supplication, free us from every affliction, sorrow and temptation. Do heal our infirmities, destroy vicious slander, drive far away from us every evil and enemy, and deliver from future torment them that cry unto thee with love: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
(Repeat Kontakion 13 three times.)
Kontakion 1 (repeated)
Unto thee, the Queen of all, do we thy servants offer a hymn of victory and thanksgiving, as ones who have been delivered from eternal death by the grace of Christ our God Who was born of thee, and by thy maternal mediation before Him. Since thou dost have invincible might, free us from all misfortune and sorrowful circumstances as we cry aloud:
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
Ikos 1 (repeated)
An archangel was sent from Heaven to declare unto the Virgin Mary, “Rejoice,” announcing the Divine Incarnation of Christ Who desired to be born of her — the joy of the entire world which was languishing in sorrow. Whereafter, heavy-laden with sins but having obtained the hope of salvation in thee, we cry unto thee with compunction:
Rejoice, goodwill of God toward sinners.
Rejoice, strong help for those that repent before the Lord God.
Rejoice, restoration of fallen Adam.
Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve.
Rejoice, thou who dost remove the stain of sin.
Rejoice, laver who dost wash the conscience clean.
Rejoice, thou who didst bear the Redeemer Who doth freely cleanse us of our transgressions.
Rejoice, all-wondrous reconciliation of all with God.
Rejoice, thou who savest the world from the flood of sin.
Rejoice, bridge who dost truly lead us from death unto life.
Rejoice, thou who art the cause of deification for all.
Rejoice, heavenly ladder by whom the Lord descended to us.
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, Joy of All Who Sorrow.
A Prayer
Holy Mother of God, the Handmaiden who served the Heavenly Father and who art blessed forever, hear our helpless cries. We place our hope in thee that thou wilt pray to thy Son and our God for the remission of sins and for the healing of suffering and sorrow. Teach us to rejoice under thy merciful protection. In thy compassion for sinners, transform our unrighteousness into zeal for the Cross and for the Kingdom of Heaven. Teach us to sin no more, our Lady, and if we sin, teach us to fall down before thy maternal love and to obtain release from our present infirmity and from eternal torment. We thank thee, O thou who art full of grace and the Joy of All Who Sorrow, for thy most powerful intercession. Amen.
AKATHIST HYMNS, RECONSTRUCTED 