NATALE-ICONA-ORTODOSSIChristmas Day

For Christmas Day, we offer a reflection on the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, based on the Akathist Hymn on that theme. The Akathist Hymn is one of the most well-loved services of devotion in the Eastern Churches. Pious tradition states that the original Akathist of Our Lady was composed in the imperial city of Constantinople, “the city of the Virgin,” by St. Romanos the Melodist, who died in the year 556. The Akathist Hymn has proved so popular that many other hymns have been written following its format, particularly in the Russian Orthodox Church. The word akathistos literally means “not sitting,” namely standing; normally all participants stand while it is being prayed. The hymn is divided into thirteen parts, each of which is composed of a kontakion and an ikos. The kontakion usually ends with the exclamation Alleluia, which is repeated by a choir in full settings or chanted by the reader in simple settings.

 

Akathist Hymn to the Nativity of Christ

 

Kontakion I

O Christ our God, Who chose the most pure Virgin from among all generations and was born of her in the flesh, we Your servants offer hymns of thanksgiving unto You. As You are possessed of ineffable loving kindness, O Master, from all manner of misfortunes free us who cry:

O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory be to You!

Ikos I

A multitude of angels assembled in Bethlehem to behold the unapproachable Nativity; and seeing their Creator lying in the manger as a babe, they were filled with awe. And offering homage with fear, they honored the godliness of Him Who was born and of her who bore Him, chanting such things as these:

Glory to You, O Son of God, Who was begotten of the Father before time began!

Glory to You Who with the Father and the Spirit did create all things!

Glory to You Who is earnest to save the perishing!

Glory to You Who did condescend even to assume the form of a servant!

Glory to You Who was ineffably born of the Virgin!

Glory to You Who searches for the lost!

Glory to You, O Savior of the perishing!

Glory to You Who has demolished the wall of separation!

Glory to You Who again has opened paradise, which was shut by disobedience!

Glory to You Who ineffably loves the human race!

Glory to You Who did show the cave to be heaven on earth!

Glory to You Who has shown the Virgin, who gave You birth, to be the throne of the cherubim!

O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory be to You!

Kontakion III

The God of peace and Father of compassion, Who is mighty in strength, came to earth to save the world which is perishing; and in Bethlehem He is now born as a babe of the Virgin, whom He has shown to be a Mother and Mediatrix of salvation for all who glorify His Incarnation and chant: Alleluia!

Ikos III

Having her who gave You birth in an all-pure manner praying unceasingly for us, rejoicing, we hymn the mystery of Your becoming man, O Master; and glorifying Your Nativity from the God-pleasing Virgin, we cry:

Glory to You, O Son of God!

Glory to You, O Son of the Virgin!

Glory to You Who upon us has shown forth the abyss of Your love for mankind!

Glory to You Who has ineffably loved us!

Glory to You Who has sought out the lost sheep!

Glory to You Who has told the angels to rejoice in its finding!

Glory to You Who has taken it upon Your shoulders!

Glory to You Who has led it to the Father!

Glory to You Who has united men and angels in a single flock!

Glory to You Who has delivered the world from delusion!

Glory to You Who has shown us great and ineffable mercy!

Glory to You Who loves us more than all other creatures!

O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory be to You!

Kontakion V

Beholding the divinely-guided star which pointed beforehand to the Nativity of Christ, the Magi observed it; and by its guidance they reached the Unapproachable One and beheld Him Who is invisible. And they rejoice, crying out to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos V

The Persian kings, seeing the King of kings sitting on the arm of the Virgin as upon the throne of the cherubim, and understanding Him to be the Master, even though He had assumed the form of a servant, hastened to offer Him gifts—gold, as to the King of all; frankincense, as to God; and myrrh, as to One immortal;—and making obeisance, they chanted:

Glory to You Who has shone forth light upon all!

Glory to You Who by a star has summoned us to do You homage!

Glory to You Who did reprove the malice of cruel Herod!

Glory to You Who did show his plotting to be in vain!

Glory to You Who has delivered us from his deception!

Glory to You Who has taught us to worship You, the Sun of righteousness!

Glory to You Who has enlightened all with the light of understanding!

Glory to You Who by Your Nativity has abolished the error of polytheism!

Glory to You Who has utterly laid low the dominion of the enemy!

Glory to You Who has taught us to worship You with the Father and the Spirit!

Glory to You Who has crushed the head of the serpent who beguiled us!

Glory to You Who has delivered us from everlasting death!

O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory be to You!

Kontakion VI

Fulfilling the prophecies concerning You, which were uttered by the God-bearing heralds, You have revealed Yourself on earth, O Savior, being born now of the pure Virgin in a wretched cave; and though rich, You willingly impoverished Yourself for our sake, that You might enrich men, who chant to You with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos VI

You shone forth from the Virgin, Your Mother who knew not man, O Jesus, shining like the sun and driving away the darkness of falsehood; for all the demons trembled, unable to withstand Your might, and Hades, beholding the miracle, was filled with terror. And we cry out to You in thanksgiving: Glory to You, O Savior of men!

Glory to You, O Destroyer of the demons!

Glory to You Who by Your birth did fill the prince of lies with dread!

Glory to You Who has abolished the error of the idols!

Glory to You Who has illumined all with the light of the knowledge of God!

Glory to You Who has driven away the darkness of ignorance!

Glory to You, O Rock Who has poured forth the water of salvation upon all!

Glory to You Who has quenched the thirst of Adam and David!

Glory to You Who like the sun has enlightened all by Your Nativity!

Glory to You Who has made the whole world radiant with beams of grace!

Glory to You Who has shown us the Promised Land!

Glory to You Who has delivered us from the curse of our whole race!

O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory be to You!

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