Monday, November 2, 2020

THE AKATHIST OF THANKSGIVING



The author of this Akathist was Metropolitan Tryphon of Moscow (born Prince Boris Petrovich Turkestanov). It contains biographical references to his child-hood illness and family life, as well as other material. It was written in perhaps 1934, the year of his death.

This Akathist - in samizdat form – was among Fr Georgy Petrov's belongings and has been sometimes wrongly attributed to him.

Beginning prayers

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us! Amen!

Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee!

O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord!

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us! (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages! Amen!

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon our iniquities! Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake!

Lord, have mercy! (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages! Amen!

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven! Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil!

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us! Amen!

The Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten,
Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God,
Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made:

Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,
And was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man;

And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;
And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;

And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;
And He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead,
Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life,
Who proceedeth from the Father,
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,
Who spake by the Prophets;

And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.
I look for the Resurrection of the dead.
And the Life of the world to come.

Amen!

Lord, have mercy! (12 times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages! Amen!

O Come, let us Worship and bow down before our King and God!

O Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our King and God!

O Come, let us worship and bow down to Christ Himself, our King and God!

Psalm 142

O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness.
And enter not into judgement with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth.
He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled.
I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands.
I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land.
Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away.
Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope.
Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul.
Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge.
Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.
Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name's sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me.
In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies.
And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Glory to Thee, o Lord! (Thrice)

Lord, have mercy! (3 times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages! Amen!

PSALM 50

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart –– these, O God, You will not despise,
Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.



Kontakion 1

O King of ages, Who, by the power of Thy salvific providence, holdeth in Thy right hand all the ways of man’s life: I thank Thee for all Thy visible and secret goods, for earthly life and for the heavenly joy of Thy future Kingdom. Pour forth richly Thy grace, in the future as well, on us who sing to Thee: Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Ikos 1

I was born on earth as a feeble and helpless child, but Thy angel, spreading his shiny wings, has sheltered my cradle. From that moment Thy love shines in all my ways and miraculously guides me into the light of eternity. For that my soul lauds Thee and hails Thee with all who know Thee:

Glory to Thee Who hast called me into life.

Glory to Thee Who art revealing to us the beauty of the universe.

Glory to Thee Who art opening to us heaven and earth as an eternal book of wisdom.

Glory to Thy eternity in the passing world.

Glory to Thee for Thy covert and overt mercies.

Glory to Thee for every sigh of my heart.

Glory to Thee for every step of life, Every moment of joy.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 2

O Lord, how good it is for us to be Thy guests! How fine it is for us in Thy world. The fields are fragrant, the mountains rise high up into the sky, and the golden rays of sun and the light clouds are reflected in the water. All nature mysteriously speaks about Thee, all is filled with Thy mercy and all carries the seal of Thy love. Blessed be the earth which, with her short-lasting beauty, awakens the yearning for the eternal homeland in Thy kingdom, where in everlasting beauty resounds the song: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

Thou broughtest me into this life as if into a wonderful garden. I see the sky deep and blue, the birds as they chirp in flight; I listen to the soothing rustle of trees and the sonorous sound of waters; my mouth is enjoying fragrant and succulent fruits. How wonderful it is in Thy world and how joyous it is to be Thy guest!

Glory to Thee for the feast of life!

Glory to Thee for the scents of lilies of the valley and roses.

Glory to Thee for the abundance and multiplicity of earthly fruits.

Glory to Thee for the glistening of morning dew.

Glory to Thee for the joyous smile of dawn with which Thou dost waken me.

Glory to Thee for eternal life and the kingdom of heaven.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 3

By the power of the Holy Spirit every flower breathes. Thy breath I feel in the quiet movement of the fragrant fields. Observing the harmony of colors I admire Thee. Wherever I look, I see all around me the beauty of the Great One in the little. Glory and thanks to the life-creating God Who covers the earth with flowery meadows, crowns the fields with golden ears of grain and embellishes them with blue cornflowers, and my soul with the joy of contemplation. Be glad and sing to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

How wonderful Thou art in the beauty of spring when all earth is being rejuvenated and thousands of sounds sing about Thee: Thou art the spring of life, Thou art the conqueror of death! In the pale moonlight with the song of the nightingale, the valleys and forests rest under a snowy white veil. The whole earth, Thy bride, is awaiting Thee, the Eternal Bridegroom. When Thou so clothest the grass of the field, how art Thou to adorn Thy chosen ones when they resurrect in the future age! How will then our bodies shine forth and our souls glitter!

Glory to Thee Who from the dark depths of the earth bringeth forth so many colors and scents.

Glory to Thee for the beauty of nature.

Glory to Thee Who hast surrounded us with thousands of Thy creatures.

Glory to Thee for the depth of thy wisdom whose seal is borne by all creation.

Glory to Thee for the tender feeling with which I kiss the trace of Thine invisible foot.

Glory to Thee Who hast from the beginning Lit the glowing light of eternal life.

Glory to Thee for the hope in perfect and eternal beauty.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 4

How Thou delightest the hearts of those who meditate upon Thee, O God! Thou feedest their souls with Thy Holy Word. Talking with Thee is better than oil and sweeter than honey. Prayer to God refreshes and invigorates; it fills my heart with joy. How majestic then appears this world and all life. Where Thou art not – all is empty. Where Thou art – there is the richness of the soul. There, as living water, is the everlasting song: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

When night falls upon the earth, the stillness of sleep reigns and sounds of the past day become silent; I see the splendor of Thy heavenly mansions. Flame and purple, gold and azure presage the indescribable beauty of Thy home and solemnly call forth: Let us go to the Father!

Glory to Thee in the quiet hours of the evening.

Glory to Thee for pouring forth deep peace on earth.

Glory to Thee for the rays of the setting sun.

Glory to Thee for the rest of a graceful sleep.

Glory to Thee for consolation in the darkness when the whole world appears far from me.

Glory to Thee for the warm prayer of my tortured soul.

Glory to Thee for the promise that we shall awake in the joy of Thy everlasting day.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 5

The tempest of life does not frighten one in whose heart shines the light of Thy divine Fire. Around me are whirling storms and roaring winds; terror and darkness surround me; but in my soul is peace and light. Christ is in her. And my heart sings: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

I look into Thy sky filled with stars. O how rich Thou art! How much light there is in Thee! Through the light of the distant stars Thou lookest at me from eternity. I am tiny and destitute, but the Lord is with me. His hand is always near me and He leads me with love in all my ways.

Glory to Thee Who continually watcheth over us.

Glory to Thee Who considereth mine every meeting with people.

Glory to Thee for the love of relatives and the fidelity of friends.

Glory to Thee for the meekness of the domestic animals who serve me.

Glory to Thee for the bright moments of life.

Glory to Thee for the happiness of living, seeing and feeling.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 6

How great Thou art in the whirlwind and the storm! How majestic is Thy hand in the swiftness of the lightning! The voice of the Lord rises above the fields. It rustles through the woods, it roars in the thunder. The voice of the Lord resounds over the waters. Thy might is proclaimed by the fire of the volcano. Thou quakest the earth and liftest the waves of the sea into the sky. Glory to Thee to whom we repentantly cry: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

When swift lightning illumines the night, how pitiful and miserable our earthly candles seem. So also, deceitful earthly joys become colorless and dark when Thy light shines forth in the soul. Wherefore my soul struggles toward Thee and my heart yearns for Thee.

Glory to Thee Who hast planted into man’s heart An unquenchable thirst for God.

Glory to Thee because nothing earthly Can completely satisfy us.

Glory to Thee Who clothest us in light.

Glory to Thee, the conqueror of the spirits of evil and darkness.

Glory to Thee for Thy revelation, For the blessedness of feeling Thee and living Thee.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 7

In the harmony of sounds I hear Thy call. In the lofty beauty of music, in the magnificence of artistic works Thou art allowing us to foresee Paradise. Whatever is truly beautiful soars toward Thee and teaches the soul to sing to Thee a victorious song: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

By Thy Holy Spirit Thou inspirest the thought of the artist, the poet and the scientist. By the power of Thy wisdom they prophetically enter into the mysteries of Thy laws and reveal the depth of Thy wisdom. Even their works involuntarily speak about Thee. O how wonderful Thou art in Thy works! O how great Thou art in man!

Glory to Thee Who showest us Thy might through the laws of the cosmos.

Glory to Thee Who fillest everything.

Glory to Thee Who revealest to us according to Thy mercy.

Glory to Thee Who hidest from us according to Thy wisdom.

Glory to Thee for the depth of the human mind.

Glory to Thee for the creative ability in man.

Glory to Thee for the outpouring of Thy grace.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!



Kontakion 8

How close to us Thou art in our days of illness. Thou visitest the patient, Thou descendest to the bed of the sufferer and his heart communeth with Thee. Thou kindlest the soul with peace at the time of sorrow and suffering. Thou sendest unexpected help. Thou art the comforter. Thou art all-knowing love. To Thee I sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

When I as a child for the first time appealed to Thee, Thou fulfilled my prayer and lightened my soul with great peace. I understood then that Thou art good and that they are blessed who seek refuge in Thee. Therefore I do not cease to pray to Thee and to call upon Thee.

Glory to Thee Who fulfillest and to good purpose completes my wishes.

Glory to Thee Who watchest over me day and night.

Glory to Thee for the time that is passing and taking away our sorrows and sadness.

Glory to Thee in whom nothing is lost, For Thou grantest to all life eternal.

Glory to Thee Who promised us Desired meetings with our deceased ones.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 9

Why is all nature so mysteriously smiling in the days of the feasts? Why then is our soul so light and joyous? Why does the air in the temple seem so bright? It is all because of the flow of Thy grace, because of the reflection of the light of Tabor. Heaven and earth are then singing together a laudable song: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

When Thou inspirest me to serve my neighbors and enlightenest my soul with humbleness, then the rays of Thy light fall on my heart and it begins to radiate and shine. As the sun in the waters, so in those moments in my soul is reflected Thy infinite meekness, full of love and the unspeakable peace of Thy radiant countenance.

Glory to Thee Who through good deeds transformeth our lives.

Glory to Thee Who hast sealed with unspeakable sweetness every commandment of Thine.

Glory to Thee Who art invisibly present in the works of mercy.

Glory to Thee Who sendest upon us troubles and sorrows In order to teach us to commiserate in the suffering of others.

Glory to Thee for the love Which Thou hast raised above everything on earth and in heaven.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 10

Whatever is destroyed cannot be restored. But Thou revivest those whose conscience is dead and returnest pristine beauty to the souls who lost it. Through Thy mercifulness all is possible. Thou art Love, Thou art the Creator and Restorer. Thee I praise with song: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

O my God, Thou who knowest that the angel of pride, the Morning Star, hast fallen from Thee, do not let me doubt nor depart from Thee. Sharpen my hearing so that I will always listen to Thy mysterious voice and call upon Thee, Who art everywhere present.

Glory to Thee Who all-wisely governest my life.

Glory to Thee for inspired premonition.

Glory to Thee for warnings in a mysterious voice.

Glory to Thee for revelations in dreams and in reality.

Glory to Thee for thwarting my useless intentions.

Glory to Thee because through sufferings Thou liberatest me from passions.

Glory to Thee because Thou humblest my heart and savest me from pride.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 11

Through all the passed chain of ages I feel the warmth of Thy Holy Spirit and the surging of Divine Life. Thou art near, Time is nonexistent. I see Thy Cross – it is for my sake. My spirit is humbled into dust before Thy love, limitless and incomprehensible. Wherefore, beneath Thy Cross I will unto ages glorify Thee, my Savior, with song: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

Blessed art those who sup with Thee in Thy kingdom. However, blessed art those whom Thou hast already here on earth accepted as partakers of Thy Mystic Supper. How many times, with Thy divine hand, Thou hast allowed me, a sinner, to receive in Holy Communion Thy Body and Blood. And I have received the Holy and felt Thy love, ineffable and wonderful.

Glory to Thee for the incomprehensible and life creating power of grace.

Glory to Thee Who hast founded Thy Church to be for us a quiet harbor.

Glory to Thee Who givest us rebirth through the life-giving water of baptism.

Glory to Thee Who forgivest a sinner who repents and restorest in him the viceless purity of lilies.

Glory to Thee for a perpetual spring of forgiveness.

Glory to Thee for bread from heaven and the cup of life.

Glory to Thee Who art guiding us into the kingdom of eternal joy.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 12

Many a time I saw the reflection of Thy glory on the faces of the deceased! With what unearthly beauty and joy their faces shine! How transparent and immaterial become their features! With their silence they sing of Thee. When the time of my death cometh, enlighten, O God, my soul as well, to sing to Thee: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

What is my praise before Thee! My ears did not hear the song of cherubims; it is heard only by the souls of the righteous. I know only how nature lauds Thee. I saw in winter, how, lightened by the moonlight and beneath the cover of snow which sparkles with silvery light, all the earth is quietly praying to Thee. I saw how the crimson rays of the rising sun rejoice in Thee and how choirs of birds hum praises to Thee. I listen how mysteriously forests speak of Thee, how winds wing, and brooks murmur Thy name; how, with their fixed movements through limitless space, the myriads of stars preach about Thee. What is my praise before Thee, O Lord! Nature is obedient, and I never cease to sadden Thee. While I live and see Thy love I want to glorify Thee, to pray to Thee and to call upon Thee:

Glory to Thee Who hast shown us the light.

Glory to Thee Who hast loved us with deep, immeasurable, divine love.

Glory to Thee Who protects us with bright armies of angels and saints.

Glory to Thee, all-holy Father, who art giving us Thy kingdom.

Glory to Thee, Redeemer Son, who hast shown us the path to salvation!

Glory to Thee, O Holy Spirit, the life-giving sun of future ages.

Glory to Thee for all things, Holy Trinity, divine and all good.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 13 (thrice)

O all-good and life-giving Trinity, receive our gratefulness for all thy goods and show us worthy of Thine eternal treasures, so that we may multiply the talent entrusted to us, reach Thy kingdom and enter into the joy of our Lord, singing to Him victorious song: Alleluia!

And again the first Ikos and Kontakion are read:

Ikos 1

I was born on earth as a feeble and helpless child, but Thy angel, spreading his shiny wings, has sheltered my cradle. From that moment Thy love shines in all my ways and miraculously guides me into the light of eternity. For that my soul lauds Thee and hails Thee with all who know Thee:

Glory to Thee Who hast called me into life.

Glory to Thee Who art revealing to us the beauty of the universe.

Glory to Thee Who art opening to us heaven and earth as an eternal book of wisdom.

Glory to Thy eternity in the passing world.

Glory to Thee for Thy covert and overt mercies.

Glory to Thee for every sigh of my heart.

Glory to Thee for every step of life, Every moment of joy.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Kontakion 1

O King of ages, Who, by the power of Thy salvific providence, holdeth in Thy right hand all the ways of man’s life: I thank Thee for all Thy visible and secret goods, for earthly life and for the heavenly joy of Thy future Kingdom. Pour forth richly Thy grace, in the future as well, on us who sing to Thee: Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us! Amen!




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