My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΣΩ ΗΜΩΝ! ΚΑΙ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΑΙ.
ΤΗΕ ΑΚΑΤΗΙΣΤ ΗΥΜΝ: THE ARCHANGEL WAS SENT FROM HEAVEN TO SAY "HAIL" TO THE THEOTOKOS
FIRST STANZA
Priest: An Angel, and the chiefest among them, was sent from Heaven to cry: Hail! to the Mother of God (3 times). And beholding You O Lord, taking bodily form, he stood marveling, and with his bodiless voice cried aloud to her saying: Hail, you, through whom joy shall shine forth; hail, you through whom the curse shall be blotted out. Hail, the Restoration of the fallen Adam; hail, the Redemption of the tears of Eve. Hail, Height, hard to climb, for human minds; hail, Depth, hard to explore, even for the eyes of Angels. Hail, you that are the Throne of a King; hail, you that sustains the Sustainer of all. Hail, Star that caused the Sun to appear; hail, Womb of the Divine Incarnating. Hail, you through whom Creation is renewed; hail, you through whom the Creator becomes a babe. Hail, O Bride unwedded.
Choir: Hail, O Bride unwedded.
Priest: Divine power for her conceiving then overshadowed her who knew not wedlock, and showed her fruitful womb as a fertile field to all those who desire to reap their salvation, as they sing: Alleluia.
Choir: Alleluia
Priest: Enshrining God in her womb, the Virgin hastened to Elizabeth, whose unborn babe at once recognized the Salutation of the Mother of God, and rejoiced and as it were leapt and sung and cried to her: Hail, Branch of unfading growth; hail, Wealth of unmingled fruit. Hail, you who labors for Him, whose labor is love; hail, you who tends Him who tends our Life. Hail, Corn-land growing fertility of mercies; hail, Table sustaining abundance of oblations. Hail, you who revives the green fields of joy; hail, you who prepares a haven for souls. Hail, acceptable Incense of intercession; hail, Oblation for all the world. Hail, Favor of God to mortals; hail, Access of mortals to God. Hail, O Bride unwedded.
Choir: Hail, O Bride unwedded.
Priest: Floods of doubtful thoughts troubled the wise Joseph within, when he saw you, O blameless and unwedded Maiden, and he feared for you; but when he learned of your conception through the Holy Spirit, he cried: Alleluia.
Choir: Alleluia.
SECOND STANZA
Priest: Gloriously the Angels hymned the Incarnate Presence of Christ, and shepherds heard; and hastening as to a Shepherd, they beheld Him as a Lamb without spot, reposing on Mary's breast, and her they hymned and they said: Hail, Mother of the Lamb and of the Shepherd; hail, Fold for the sheep of His pasture. Hail, Bulwark from invisible foes; hail, opener of the Gates of Paradise. Hail, for the things of Heaven rejoice with the earth; hail, for the things of earth join chorus with the Heavens. Hail, never-silent Voice of the Apostles; hail, never-conquered courage of the Champions. Hail, firm Support of faith; hail, shining Token of grace. Hail, you through whom Hades was laid bare; hail, you through whom we are clothed with glory. Hail, O Bride unwedded.
Choir: Hail, O Bride unwedded.
Priest: High in the heavens the Magi beheld the Godward-pointing Star, and they followed its rays and kept it as a beacon before them; through it they sought a mighty King, and as they approached the Unapproachable they rejoiced and cried to Him: Alleluia.
Choir: Alleluia.
Priest: In the Virgin's hand the sons of the Chaldees saw Him Who with His Hand had made man; and knowing Him as Master, though He had taken the form of a servant, they hastened with gifts to do homage, and cried to her who is blessed: Hail, Mother of the Star that never sets; hail, Dawn of the mystic Day. Hail, you who quenches the furnace of error; hail, you who enlightens those who know the Trinity. Hail, you who casts out the inhuman tyrant of old; hail, you who shows forth the Lord, the Merciful Christ. Hail, you who redeems from the creeds of barbarism; hail, you who releases from the morass of evil deeds. Hail, you who made the worship of fire to cease; hail, you who made the flame of suffering to be allayed. Hail, Guide of the wisdom of the faithful; hail, Joy of all generations. Hail, O Bride unwedded.
Choir: Hail, O Bride unwedded.
Priest: King's messengers, the Wise Men became, when they returned to Babylon; they fulfilled your prophecy and to all preached You as the Christ, and they left Herod as a trifler who knew not how to cry: Alleluia.
Choir: Alleluia.
Priest: Lighting in Egypt the lamp of truth, You, O Savior, did cast out the darkness of falsehood, and their idols endured not Your strength but fell; and those among them who were saved cried to the Mother of God: Hail, uplifting of men; hail, downfall of demons. Hail, you who tramples upon the wanderings of error; hail, you who refutes the lies of idols. Hail, Sea which drowned Pharaoh and his schemes; hail, Rock which refreshed those thirsty for Life. Hail, fiery Pillar, leading those in darkness; hail, Shelter of the world, broader than a cloud. Hail, Sustenance in succession to Manna; hail, messenger of holy joy. Hail, Land of promise; hail, you from which flows honey and milk. Hail, O Bride unwedded.
Choir: Hail, O Bride unwedded.
Priest: Marveling at your ineffable wisdom when you were presented to him as a new-born Babe, Simeon, who was nearing his time of departure from this age of error, recognized You as perfect God and he cried: Alleluia.
Choir: Alleluia.
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Please note: The above of course is not the entire Akathist. I brought the Akathist to your attention on this day to remind all of you how our Holy Orthodox Church, you and I, truly feel about the Mother of God, our Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Pray to her constantly to intercede for you, all of those whom you love, and for peace and harmony in the world. We need the intercessions and guidance of our Theotokos more now than ever before. Our Heavenly Mother and Queen of Heaven is all love and wants and prays for the salvation of all mankind.
Through the intercession of the holy Fathers Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George