Akathist Hymn To Saint John, Forerunner and Baptist of The Lord - AKATHIST HYMNS
Akathist Hymn To Saint John, Forerunner and Baptist of The Lord - AKATHIST HYMNS
Thou wast chosen from days of old, Saint John, to be the Forerunner and Baptist of
Christ God the Saviour of the world. Glorifying the Lord Who glorified thee, we sing
unto thee hymns of praise as unto the greatest of those born of woman, as unto an
angel in the flesh and a preacher of repentance. Since thou hast great boldness
before the Lord, free us from dangers of all kinds and move us to repentance, so
that we may cry unto thee with love:
Ikos 1
The Archangel Gabriel, who standeth before God, was sent unto the priest
Zachariah, when he, serving according to his rank, entered with incense into the
Sanctuary of the Lord. Standing to the right of the Altar of Incense, the angel
announced unto him the good news of thy birth. Gabriel proclaimed joy and
gladness unto Zachariah, because many would rejoice at God’s amazing goodwill
concerning thee, Saint John, and thence would reverently cry out in praise of thee:
Rejoice, thou who wast foreordained to be a great prophet of the Most High.
Rejoice, thou who wast filled with the Holy Ghost even in thy mother’s womb.
Rejoice, thou who wast consecrated for a great ministry before thy birth.
Kontakion 2
When Zachariah beheld the angel, he was disturbed and fear fell upon him, for he
did not believe the words of the announcement concerning thy birth. Thereupon
being stricken with dumbness for his disbelief, he marveled at this most glorious
wonder, crying unto God with all his heart: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Seeking to understand the unfathomable Mind, the people awaited Zachariah and
wondered at his tarrying in the Sanctuary. When he came out and could not speak
unto them, but only made signs, then they all understood that he had beheld a vision
in the Sanctuary. We therefore glorify God, the marvelous Creator of miracles, and
we cry unto thee:
Rejoice, for in the sixth month after thy conception, the most holy Virgin Mary was
visited by an angel in Nazareth.
Rejoice, by thy name the silence of thy father Zachariah was ended.
Rejoice, for the Name of God was blessed by thy father because of thee.
Rejoice, for fear and wonder over thy miraculous birth came upon those living round
about.
Rejoice, for the news of thy miraculous birth spread over the entire land of Judea.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High ended the barrenness of the righteous Elizabeth, who
was beyond the natural age for bearing children, for she conceived thee, the
glorious Forerunner of the Lord. Keeping this secret for five months, she said: For
thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked upon me to take
away my reproach among men. But when Elizabeth received her who bore Christ in
her womb, she was filled with the Holy Ghost and cried with a loud voice: Whence is
this to me that the Mother of my Lord should come unto me? Rejoicing together with
Ikos 3
Thou who wast to go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah wast filled with
the Holy Ghost whilst in thy mother’s womb, whence thou didst appear as a
marvelous prophet. Thou didst leap with rejoicing at the coming of the Mother of the
Lord, for thou didst recognize God borne in the womb of her who is full of grace, and
by thy mother’s voice didst preach Him. Saint John, it was proper for the beginning
of divine things to be most glorious. Humbly marveling at this, it is right that we
cheerfully cry unto thee:
Rejoice, whilst in thy mother’s womb thou didst proclaim with miraculous gladness
the Lord Who glorified thee.
Rejoice, by thee and thy mother Elizabeth, the Incarnation of Christ was revealed.
Rejoice, for she also was filled with the Holy Ghost.
Rejoice, by her the most holy Virgin Mary was called blessed among women.
Rejoice, by her Mary was also named the Mother of the Lord.
Kontakion 4
Disturbed by a storm of doubt, the priest Zachariah was unable to speak, according
to the angel’s word. After thy birth, Forerunner of the Lord, he wrote thy grace-filled
name and immediately his lips and tongue were loosened. Yea, then did Zachariah
speak, and he blessed God and prophesied, saying: Blessed be the Lord God of
Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and thou, child, shalt be called
the Prophet of the Highest, singing unto Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Upon hearing of thy most glorious and miraculous birth, the people who lived round
about, said among themselves with amazement: What will this child become? We
who unworthily honour thee now, most glorious Forerunner of the Lord, as the
greatest of those born of woman, glorify thee in this manner:
Rejoice, thou who wast filled with manifestations of grace from thy conception.
Rejoice, thou who wast in thine infancy called a Prophet of the Most High by the
Father.
Rejoice, thou who wast in thy childhood enlightened and strengthened by the Holy
Ghost.
Rejoice, thou who didst receive from God the lofty calling of Forerunner and Baptist.
Rejoice, thou who preparest the way for the approaching Christ.
Kontakion 5
The ungodly command of the lawless murderer of children, Herod, drove thee out of
thy father’s house into the trackless wilderness, carried by thy mother. Forerunner of
the Lord, there thou didst abide until the day of thine appearance unto Israel, eating
locusts and wild honey, and calling unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Beholding God’s wonderful providence concerning thee, John praised by God, thou
didst appear as a lover of the life of fasting from infancy’s swaddling clothes.
Thence, by the will of the Most High, thou wast sent to preach the approaching
salvation in Christ. For this reason, with amazement and love we cry unto thee:
Rejoice, thou who wast preserved from his vain murdering by the Right Hand of the
Most High.
Rejoice, thou who didst amaze all by the height of thine ascetic labors.
Rejoice, thou who dost open the doors of God’s compassion for the sinful.
Rejoice, thou who dost help to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.
Kontakion 6
A glorious preacher and a divine Forerunner wast thou shewn to be in the desert of
Jordan on the day of the appearance of Christ God unto the world. Upon His
approaching thee, thou didst shew Him unto the people, saying: Behold, the Lamb of
God Who taketh away the sin of the world. Thus having known Him through faith, we
sing unto Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Thou didst shine as a light of truth, Saint John, enlightened by God, manifesting
unto all the effulgence of the glory of the Father, appearing in the flesh for our sake.
Thou didst cry unto the people in the wilderness: Repent ye; for the Kingdom of
Heaven is at hand; bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. For behold, there cometh
after me, One Who shall baptize you with water and the Spirit. Wherefore we cry
unto thee with praises:
Rejoice, thou who didst convert many of the sons of Israel unto the Lord.
Rejoice, thou who didst make people perfect for the Lord.
Rejoice, thou who boldly didst expose the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Kontakion 7
When the Lord Jesus wanted to be baptized, divinely blessed John, thou didst say: I
have need to be baptized of Thee. Notwithstanding, thou didst submit unto Him
Who said: Let it be so now. Hence, thou didst raise thy right hand upon His head and
having baptized Him Who did not need purification, thou didst cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Giving thee new grace, the Lord willed to be baptized by thee, granting thee to
behold the coming of the Spirit and to hear the Father’s voice from the heavens
testifying unto His Sonship. Thenceforth, thou didst teach us to worship One God in
Three Persons. Glorifying with lips of clay the Trinity, we offer these praises unto
thee:
Rejoice, witness of His descent from the Father upon the Son.
Rejoice, beholder of the revelation of the Father’s love for the Son.
Rejoice, zealous struggler in glorious service for the salvation of the human race.
Kontakion 8
Having beheld the strange and ineffable humility of the Incarnate God the Word,
divinely blessed Baptist, when He bowed His divine head unto thee and received a
servile Baptism, thou thyself wast wholly filled with great humility. Entreat this
divinely beloved virtue for us who are possessed by demonic pride, so that we may
also submit unto Him Who alone is worthy and to say: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Wholly filled with the gifts of grace, in finishing the course of earthly life, O John the
divinely chosen, thou didst teach all to please God well through fulfillment of the
Law and repentance. We fervently sing out thankful praises unto thee who art the
great teacher of truth:
Rejoice, thou who didst suffer imprisonment and bondage for the sake of
righteousness.
Rejoice, for thy body was given an honourable burial by thy disciples.
Rejoice, for it hath granted consolation, sanctification and healing unto Christians.
Rejoice, for the faithful piously bow down also before thy right hand which baptized
the Lord.
Rejoice, for many miracles are thereby accomplished even unto the present day.
Rejoice, by thee the faithful are delivered from the dishonour of passions.
Kontakion 9
The angelic realm was amazed at the loftiness of thy ministry, and the Church
reverently praiseth thee as the friend of Christ God, coming before Him in the spirit
and power of Elijah. Zealous for truth, thou didst boldly expose the Pharisees and
also the lawless Herod from whom thou didst receive a martyr’s end. For this cause,
we bow down before thy holy head, and we pray to thee to deliver us from the
distress of passions, so that with pure heart and lips we may chant: Alleluia.
No rhetoric of the earthly born can suffice to praise thee, John the divinely praised.
Only the lips of Christ did rightfully praise thee, calling thee higher than the prophets
and the greatest of all those born of woman. We therefore, not knowing how to offer
thee worthy praise, cry unto thee such things as these:
Kontakion 10
Thou didst proclaim unto those in hades the good news of Christ, come in the flesh
to save the world. Like the morning star preceding the sun, thou didst illumine those
sitting in the darkness and in the shadow of death. Hence, thou wast soon led forth
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall and a saving refuge unto all who hasten to thee in prayer, O Baptist
John. We bless thy holy life with hymns of praise:
Rejoice, quick helper and deliverer of those suffering from the spirits of malice.
Rejoice, thou who dost send down the blessing of God upon the barren.
Rejoice, thou who dost deliver those who run to thee with faith from great
disturbance of passions.
Rejoice, thou who dost quickly reconcile those who are at enmity.
Rejoice, thou who dost grant speedy help unto those who fervently hasten to thee in
every need and sorrow.
Rejoice, thou who dost rescue those who are running the good race from self-
deception and prelest.*
Rejoice, thou who dost help those who entrust themselves unto thine intercession at
the hour of death.
Rejoice, thou who by thine intercession dost deliver those who love thee from the
toll-houses of the air.
Rejoice, thou who dost vouchsafe eternal life unto those who honour thy glorious
memory.
Rejoice, after God and the Theotokos, the refuge and hope of Christians.
Kontakion 11
No hymn is sufficient to praise thee according to the legacy of thy great deeds,
blessed John. Compelled by love, however, we dare to hymn thy greatness. Do thou
mercifully accept this from us, O intercessor before the Throne of the Most Holy
Trinity. Pray to free us from every sinful corruption, that with pure heart and lips we
may chant unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Knowing thee to be a lamp of the unapproachable Light and entirely filled with the
all-radiant gifts of grace, John the divinely enlightened, joyfully we offer thee such
words as these:
Rejoice, harbinger of the good news of God Incarnate for those in hades.
Rejoice, bearer of glad tidings for the righteous held in the nether regions from the
beginning of the age.
Rejoice, revealer unto the world of the True Light from Heaven.
Rejoice, from the rising of the sun unto the going-down of the same, thy name is to
be praised.
Kontakion 12
Bearing the name of grace, O Baptist of the Lord, and enriched thereby, thou didst
appear as a most glorious bearer of victory. Thou didst conquer enemies and every
malice, and thou didst seal thy ministry with martyrdom. Standing now at the Throne
of the King of kings, entreat Him to grant all the faithful victory over their enemies
and Godspeed in all things, and the strengthening of grace in virtues as they humbly
chant unto Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Hymning God, Who was wondrously glorified in thee, we praise thee, Saint John the
Baptist, as the sincere friend of Jesus Christ. We praise thy great ascetic struggles,
we bless thy martyr’s death, and we truly cry unto thee such things as these:
Rejoice, thou who didst manifest unto the world the hidden and secret things of the
wisdom of God.
Rejoice, thou who wast shewn to be more fruitful than others in divine deeds.
Rejoice, for thou didst glorify the Heavenly Father by thy holy deeds.
Rejoice, for thou dost unspeakably gladden the Church of Christ concerning thy
Rejoice, for thou art illuminated by the divine rays of the light of the Three-Sunned
Light.
Rejoice, for thou dost unceasingly chant with the bodiless ones the thrice-holy hymn
unto God.
Rejoice, for now with the mirror removed, thou dost directly behold the Holy Trinity.
Kontakion 13
Great and most glorious John, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, receive from us
now this supplication offered unto thee. By thy prayers which are pleasing unto God,
deliver us from every kind of evil. Rescue us from eternal torment and make us heirs
of the Kingdom of Heaven, that throughout the ages we may chant unto God:
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Kontakion 1 (repeated)
Thou wast chosen from days of old, Saint John, to be the Forerunner and Baptist of
Christ God the Saviour of the world. Glorifying the Lord Who glorified thee, we sing
unto thee hymns of praise as unto the greatest of those born of woman, as unto an
angel in the flesh and a preacher of repentance. Since thou hast great boldness
before the Lord, free us from dangers of all kinds and move us to repentance, so
that we may cry unto thee with love:
Ikos 1 (repeated)
Rejoice, thou who wast foreordained to be a great prophet of the Most High.
Rejoice, thou who wast filled with the Holy Ghost even in thy mother’s womb.
Rejoice, thou who wast consecrated for a great ministry before thy birth.
A Prayer
Saint John, prophet and martyr, Thou who wast a blessing unto the righteous
Elizabeth and a friend of Christ the Lord, teach us to repent that we may also be a
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