In the akathist to the Lord Jesus Christ, He is called the Sweetest because the Lord is Love, it is He who gives joy and happiness to every person who turns to him. God is not a magician or magician who is approached in the form of a conspiracy or ritual for gifts and a happy, comfortable life. He helps us get rid of fear of life’s circumstances and evil forces, destroy sins and vices in ourselves, becoming happy and delighting loved ones.
The salvation that Christ promises us is the Kingdom of God, which slowly appears within us today, when we become kinder and better, when we humbly rejoice in the various circumstances of life as the will of God. The sacraments of the Church - Confession and Communion - help us accept the sweetness of God's Love.
The main theme of the akathist to the Sweetest Lord Jesus is the joy that God will always help us, do what is best, set our heart on the right path in life, we just have to turn to Him
A strong prayer to the Lord - an appeal to the help of the Sweetest Jesus
The earthly life of the Son of God is told in detail in the Gospel, described and interpreted in many books (for example, there are interpretations of the Gospel of St. Theophylact of Bulgaria). The Lord gave himself as a sacrifice for human sins and defeated death itself, returning the entire human race to paradise in His Resurrection.
Of course, we pray to the saints and the Most Holy Theotokos as our spiritual friends and the Mother of the entire human race. However, turning to God Himself is the most important prayer.
- Ask the Lord for help in any matter, everyday difficulties and troubles,
- Pray in danger
- Ask for everything for your loved ones and friends,
- Ask Him to forgive your sins, to let you see your mistakes and vices and correct yourself.
How to pray to God the Son, Lord Jesus Christ
Often we ourselves do not know that we are praying, asking: “If only I could be saved, if only I could avoid danger,” “Heaven, help!” - all these are prayers to our Great God. And He responded to your requests, expressed and unspoken - remember happy meetings, suddenly successful exams, an unexpected happy pregnancy, good job... It seems to us that all these are cases - but the Lord really controls our lives for the better, showing our capabilities, leading to thank God for everything. Humility in the face of difficulties, turning to God with prayer at this time is the key to our salvation and education of the soul, personal growth. Not a single psychologist is capable of changing and making a soul happy in an instant, as the Lord does.
But we ourselves must strive for a life pleasing to God, attend church, pray during divine services, help people, forgive the sins and mistakes of our neighbors, and behave calmly in conflicts.
The Lord is great Power and great Love, you just need to believe - and that means trust Him with your life and your soul. Christ is not even a soldier who lay down in battle for the sake of his fellow soldiers, His feat is higher: being Almighty, he voluntarily, in order to erase the past and future sins of mankind from the history of the universe, went to humiliation, torture and terrible suffering on the Cross from those whose He created the ancestors.
The words of the Lord Jesus are a call to repentance, to the love of all people for all people, compassion and pity even for terrible sinners. In response to sincere prayer, first of all, peace, clarity and tranquility will appear in the soul, according to the testimony of many people - and this is truly a miracle that happens to every believer. Also try to talk to a priest if you have difficulties and mental anxiety.
May our Lord Jesus Christ protect you!
In what cases do they turn to Christ for help?
This divine work brings help and compassion. By pronouncing this akathist, Orthodox believers receive deliverance from:
unclean thoughts
mental and physical wounds.
You need to pray to the icon of the Almighty for:
salvation from death and misfortune,
protecting lies and grief,
salvation from dishonesty and heartlessness.
It is necessary to offer not only prayer requests to the Almighty, but also prayers of gratitude. It is necessary to pay a visit to church and in moments of joy to thank the Lord for everything. Prayers must be said sincerely with all your heart and with good thoughts. You can make prayer requests not only for yourself, but also for your loved ones.
This icon can help an Orthodox person in acquiring:
- unity
- helps you find peace
- holds the family together
- unanimity.
This icon plays a huge role in family relationships. She protects the family. With the help of this icon it is possible to protect your children from illnesses and misfortunes. It is believed that there are no diseases that the Heavenly Healer of soul and body cannot heal. Prayers are offered to this divine face for the healing of the most serious illnesses. And if the believer’s faith is firm, real and pure, then this icon will heal from all ailments. Before this icon they pray for health and love for friends and loved ones. This icon creates a wedding image. Very often, the relatives of a young man use this icon to admonish him for kind, mutual love and eternal marriage.
It is also necessary not to forget about grateful prayers, because cases in our worldly existence sometimes turn out to be actually the heavenly help of our Savior. This icon is in any church. There is no specific memorial date for this holy face. Everyone says that the One who is depicted on this face is considered Happiness, Blessing and Peace.
The Akathist to Our Sweetest Lord sounds like this:
Kontakion 1
Chosen Governor and Savior, defeater of the unclean, how to get rid of eternal destruction, praising I offer a prayer to You, Your creation and youth; however, as if you have endless kindness, free me from any misfortunes, calling: Christ, Servant of the Lord, have mercy on me.
Ikos 1
Holy spirits and Divine power, enlighten our bewildered minds and inspire words to praise Your most holy name, how could the unheard and nasal ancient rumor now open and cry out like this: Most Holy Christ, more ecstatic than the saints; Christ the Most Pure, ancestors of healing. Christ the sweetest, exaltation of the churches; Most merciful Christ, strengthening of rulers. Christ the most famous, the seers fulfillment; Glorious Christ, refuge for the suffering. Christ is at peace, the monks are joyful; Christ is merciful, sweetness to those in need. Christ is merciful, patience of believers; Christ the righteous, joy of the priests. Christ is honest, innocent is impeccable; Christ is the long-lasting, unworthy hope. Christ, Servant of the Lord, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the widow weeping bitterly, God, how can he now be appeased, he revived the youth to carry her to her resting place; now show mercy to me, O Lover of Mankind, and save the sins that destroy my spirit, crying out: Hallelujah.
Ikos 2
The mind is perplexed to understand Philip asking, God, show us the Creator, we say; You are his: my son spent so much time with Me, he did not recognize what is, how the Creator is in Me, and how I am in the Creator? With the same, Unsearched, with fear I will cry to You: Christ, eternal Lord; Christ, Lord Almighty. Christ, the merciful Ruler; Christ, the merciful Savior. Christ, my faithful protector; Christ, forgive my sinful deeds. Christ, cast me away from this world; Christ, forgive my lies. Christ, my hope, do not leave me; Christ, my helper, do not reject me. Christ, my Creator, do not forget me; Christ, my Master, do not punish me. Christ, Servant of the Lord, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 3
God's providence blessed the angels, Christ, sitting in the Holy Land, bless me too, open to any blessing, with the warmth of the Angel of Your messenger and we will tenderly sing to You: Hallelujah.
Ikos 3
Having the well-being of compassion, the suffering and the unworthy, and the unfaithful are now converted, Christ; Hear me now, like them, however, as a valuable world, accept this song: Christ, great power; Christ, infinite mercy Christ, holy beauty; Christ, love is healing. Christ, the Son of the Living Lord; Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner. Christ, hear me conceived in iniquity; Christ, forgive me, born in sin. Christ, teach me, unworthy; Christ, enlighten the dark me. Christ, forgive me, a sinner; Christ, guide me as a prodigal. Christ, Servant of the Lord, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 4
A hurricane of dubious thoughts, Peter drowning; Having seen You existing in your body, O Christ, and walking on the water, we recognized You as the present Lord and, having given You a helping hand, we lift up: Hallelujah.
Ikos 4
Hearing You in passing, O dear God, the blind man proclaimed: Christ, Servant of David, have mercy on me! And having said this, his eyes were immediately opened. Grant this mercy of Thy eyes, thoughts and soul to me, crying out to You and saying: Christ, heavenly Creator; Christ, the Deliverer of sinners. Christ, destroyer of the unclean; Christ, ruler of all beings. Christ, the comforter of my heart; Christ, the enlightener of my mind. Christ, the joy of my soul; Christ, health of my bodies. Christ, my Savior, protect me; Christ, my light, guide me. Christ, save me from any suffering; Christ, protect me, a sinner. Christ, Servant of the Lord, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 5
With the Holy Blood, how you atone for us anciently from legal oaths, Christ, joy save us from snares, with which the serpents lure us with bodily passions, and unworthy temptations, and malicious despair, crying out to You: Hallelujah.
Ikos 5
Having seen the sons of Jerusalem in human form, Who created Him with the hands of men, and the King who understands Him, you strive with branches to please Him, we constantly say. We offer a prayer to You, we say: Christ, the real Lord; Christ, Youth of David. Christ, the wise Lord; Christ, innocent angel. Christ, the most glorious Priest; Christ, protector in my childhood. Christ, the nourisher of my youth; Christ, praiser in my old age. Christ, hope in my death; Christ, the savior of my life. Christ, my helper at Thy terrible judgment; Christ, my hope, do not abandon me at that hour. Christ, Servant of the Lord, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 6
The priest of divine prayers, both pronouncing and fulfilling, Christ, appeared in the world on earth and lived with people unknown, and you took our ailments upon yourself, and by your blood we, healed, sing to you: Hallelujah.
Ikos 6
The universe has shone, enlightened by Your truth, and rejected the unclean lies: idols because our Savior, who do not tolerate Your power, are evil spirits. We, having received help, sing to You: Christ, truth, driving away lies; Christ, the light that surpasses all lights. Christ the Prince, dominating all in power; Christ, Lord, abiding in mercy. Christ, This Bread, satisfy my hunger; Christ, fountain of wisdom, give me drink when I am thirsty. Christ, robe of joy, clothe me who perishes; Christ, patron of happiness, cover me, unworthy. Christ, giver to those in need, grant me tears for my sins; Christ, refuge of those who seek refuge, enlighten my soul. Christ, enlightener of interpreters, save my accursed heart; Christ, Forgiving of the unworthy, forgive my sins. Christ, Servant of the Lord, have mercy on me.
Watch the video akathist to the Sweetest Jesus:
The Akathist to our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ was written around the 13th century. But the author is still unknown.
Almost no prayer book is complete without this text. Although the canon of the church includes only one obligatory akathist - to the Most Holy Theotokos, the akathist to the sweetest Jesus remains beloved and popular. This is not surprising, because people reciprocate the love of Christ.
Let's talk about this akathist in more detail.
Akathist to sweetest Jesus is a hymn of praise praising the virtues of the Savior
The tradition of writing akathists is quite ancient. The Greeks also composed hymns in honor of the gods. When antiquity became a thing of the past, Greek culture was preserved in other countries. Sublime poetry is our inheritance from the Greek poets. It was she who influenced the appearance of the first Christian hymn - the akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos.
The form caught on and was called the akathist. The hymn to the Virgin Mary was often imitated. Sometimes successful, sometimes mediocre. An example of a good church hymn is an akathist to the sweetest Lord Jesus Christ. It couldn't be any other way. After all, the Savior deserved just such a divinely inspired and poetic work.
The tone of this akathist is enthusiastic, the content is laudatory. It tells about the life of Jesus Christ on earth, about his boundless love for people. About the saving mission that the canonical gospels tell about. Attention is also paid to the dignity of Jesus as a man:
- humility;
- meekness;
- purity;
- philanthropy.
The author of the akathist to sweetest Jesus is unknown, but he knew the New Testament very well
It is known about the akathist to our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ that this is one of the very first church hymns. This is how Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov comments on the question of the authorship of this akathist:
“Until now, scientists, historians, and those who study ancient liturgical literature have not come to a consensus about who owns the Akathist, written in honor of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is an opinion that this is the hand of Hesychius, a presbyter of Jerusalem, a remarkable ascetic writer of the early Middle Ages, who left us with his reflections on the importance of the Jesus Prayer and how the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, when carefully invoked, has a gracious and beneficial effect on the inner world of a Christian: it enlightens his mind, pacifies the heart, delivers from passions and bad habits, imprints in the soul the perfections of Christ, or the virtues of humility, meekness, peace, purity, courage, joy, prudence and love.
One thing is clear: the person who meditated on the name of God, Christ the Redeemer, calling Him now pearl, now precious stone, now lightning, now Good Shepherd, door, Bread, Light, was perfectly familiar with the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament.”
Artemy Vladimirov
archpriest
An akathist to the sweetest Jesus is not the only work in his honor; there is also a canon, a prayer, a thanksgiving akathist, etc.
“Sweetest Jesus” is one of the appeals to Jesus Christ. This is an epithet from early church texts. For example, the grace of the Holy Spirit is also called sweet. Even the Old Testament itself states that God's law is sweet. There are countless works in honor of Christ. In honor of the sweetest Christ - less, but also found:
- Akathist of thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus Christ (“The incorruptible King of the ages, who holds in His right hand...”)
- Prayer to the sweetest Jesus.
Here is the text of the prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Source of Wisdom and Giver of all goodness, true hope for all who want to be saved and come into the true mind! Heeding the call of Your voice: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” we bow to You, the eternal joy, in prayer, stretching out our hands.
You, Whom our troubled soul has loved and loves, bless us with Your sovereign right hand, as you once blessed the children of Israel, and with the bounties of Your mercy fall upon us. Enlighten us with the light of Divine teaching, so that we may know Your all-holy name and learn the right ways, so that we may not perish from unrighteous deeds.
Cleanse our hearts from all wickedness and harmful lusts, dwell in us, Master, dwell and abide in us, Your servants, inseparably even to death, so that we, feeling Your presence, rush with all our might towards You, the ineffable Light and unfailing Love.
Strengthen our will all day long to learn Your commandments and to constantly remain in faith, hope and love for You, our Creator and Provider, and in love for our neighbor.
Grant us in this life, temporary and deplorable, every good and every joy, so that we glorify Your Most Holy Name, revered, cognized and worshiped in the Holy Trinity of the Consubstantial One, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
And there is also the text of the canon to the Sweetest Jesus - also quite voluminous.
These texts should not be confused with the Repentant Akathist to the Lord (“Chosen Voivode and Lord, Joy to Thy repentant servants...”) - it does not contain the epithet “Sweetest” and is intended for the repentant.
3 questions about the akathist to the sweetest Jesus Christ: what helps, how to read and where
How does an akathist help the sweetest Jesus?
- in joy;
- in difficult life situations;
- in despondency;
- in any other conditions. This is a universal prayer.
How to read this akathist?
First, you should pay attention to your posture. It is customary to read akathists while standing. For the final prayer one must kneel. But fanaticism is not needed. If age or health does not allow you to complete all the details, there is no need to injure yourself. God sees and understands everything.
Secondly, the inner attitude is important. Let us quote Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov again:
“The Akathist to the Savior, as we are finding out, has a certain miraculous, miraculous property of influencing the inner, moral world of a person and enlightening him with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
That’s why I feel sorry for those people who sometimes confess even to priests: “And what is it, father, that we read the same prayers all our lives: morning prayers in the morning, evening prayers in the evening? Here are the Akathists to the Mother of God, the Savior - doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, like peas against a wall.”
It’s sad, friends, to listen to these words, because God does not need the volume of pages of the prayer book we read, but attentive, thoughtful, reasonable, I would say, reverent and reverent presence before Himself.
And since our thoughts scatter, our hearts, like the surface of the sea, are agitated, we begin to pray, covered, like flies, with some dreams, memories, then we are unable to establish a golden thread of communication with the Creator - thoughts are confused, words get stuck in larynx.
That is why, having taken the Akathist to the Savior, written by a holy man, whose heart became the reed of a cursive scribe, in whose heart the Lord God Himself rested invisibly, we, as soon as we read the first kontakion and ikos, feel a grace-filled change within ourselves.
Only by following every word with our minds, bringing what we read to our minds and hearts, do we seem to gain wings with the help of which we are given the opportunity to ascend from earth to heaven.
A kind of blessed bridge is being built before us of its own accord, connecting time and eternity.”
Where can I read it?
Akathist to our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ in modern translation
When reading an akathist, it is useful to focus on its meaning and immerse yourself in the atmosphere. Church language can make this task much more difficult. Therefore, for thoughtful reading, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the modern translation.
First, the original text of Kontakion 1:
Chosen Voivode and Lord, hell to the conqueror, as if you were delivered from eternal death, I will sing praises to You, Thy creation and servant; but, as if you have unspeakable mercy, free me from all troubles, calling:
It translates like this:
The Voivode and Lord who defends me, the conqueror of hell! Having gotten rid of eternal death, I dedicate songs of praise to You, I, Your creation and servant. You, as one who has unspeakable mercy, free me from all misfortunes, crying out: “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!”
Let's turn to the original icos 1:
O Creator of angels and Lord of strength, open my bewildered mind and tongue to the praise of Your most pure name, just as You opened the ears and tongue of the deaf and humming of old, and, saying this call:
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
In modern language this text looks like this:
Creator of Angels and Lord of the Heavenly Powers! Open my weak mind and loosen my tongue to the praise of Your most pure name, as You once opened the ears of the deaf and tongue-tied, and loosened the tongue, and he spoke, thus exclaiming:
Wonderful Jesus, wonder of angels;
Most powerful Jesus, deliverance of the first parents.
Sweet Jesus, magnification of the patriarchs;
Glorious Jesus, strengthening of kings.
Beloved Jesus, fulfillment of the prophets;
Wonderful Jesus, fortress of martyrs.
Quiet Jesus, joy of the monks;
Most merciful Jesus, delight of the elders.
Most merciful Jesus, abstinence for fasters;
Most sweet Jesus, joy of the saints.
Most venerable Jesus, virgin chastity;
Eternal Jesus, salvation of sinners.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
It’s also good to start by listening to the akathist performed correctly:
Text of the Akathist to Our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ
Kontakion 1
Ikos 1
O Creator of angels and Lord of strength, open my bewildered mind and tongue to the praise of Your most pure name, just as You opened the ears and tongue of the deaf and humming of old, and, saying this call:
Wonderful Jesus, wonder of angels;
Most powerful Jesus, deliverance of the first parents.
Sweet Jesus, magnification of the patriarchs;
Glorious Jesus, strengthening of kings.
Beloved Jesus, fulfillment of the prophets;
Wonderful Jesus, fortress of martyrs.
Quiet Jesus, joy of the monks;
Most merciful Jesus, sweetness of the elders.
Most merciful Jesus, abstinence for fasters;
Most sweet Jesus, joy to the saints.
Most honorable Jesus, virgin chastity;
Eternal Jesus, salvation of sinners.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the widow weeping green, Lord, as if you had mercy then and raised up her son for burial; Have mercy on me too, O Lover of mankind, and resurrect my soul, killed by sins, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Philip, seeking to understand the unreasonable mind, Lord, show us the Father, he said; You come to him: you have been with Me for so long, have you not known that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father? Also, Unexplored, I call Ti with fear:
Jesus, eternal God;
Jesus, most powerful King.
Jesus, long-suffering Master;
Jesus, most merciful Savior.
Jesus, my most gracious guardian;
Jesus, cleanse my sins.
Jesus, take away my iniquities;
Jesus, let go of my iniquities.
Jesus, my hope, do not forsake me;
Jesus, my helper, do not reject me.
Jesus, my Creator, do not forget me;
Jesus, my Shepherd, do not destroy me.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 3
You have clothed the Apostles with power from on high, O Jesus, who sit in Jerusalem, and clothed me, naked from all good works, with the warmth of Your Holy Spirit, and grant me to sing to You with love: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Have riches of mercy, O publicans and sinners, and you have called the unbelievers, O Jesus; Do not despise me now, who is like them, but, like myrrh of great value, accept this song:
Jesus, invincible power;
Jesus, endless mercy.
Jesus, most radiant beauty;
Jesus, love unspeakable.
Jesus, Son of the Living God;
Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Jesus, hear me conceived in iniquity;
Jesus, cleanse me of the sins I was born of.
Jesus, teach me what is inappropriate;
Jesus, lighten the dark for me.
Jesus, cleanse me that is filthy;
Jesus, lead me up as a prodigal.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 4
Having a storm of doubtful thoughts inside, Peter drowned; Having seen Thee existing in the flesh, Jesus, and walking on the waters, I came to know Thee as the true God and, having received the hand of salvation, said: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing Thee passing by, O Lord, the blind man cried out: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! And having called, you opened his eyes. Enlighten with Your mercy the eyes of the mental heart and of me, crying out to You and saying:
Jesus, Creator on high;
Jesus, lower Redeemer.
Jesus, hell to the consumer;
Jesus, beautifier of all creation.
Jesus, Comforter of my soul;
Jesus, enlightener of my mind.
Jesus, my heart is glad;
Jesus, health to my body.
Jesus, my Savior, save me;
Jesus, my light, enlighten me.
Jesus, deliver me from all torment;
Jesus, save me, unworthy.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 5
With your rich Blood, as you redeemed us of old from the legal oath, Jesus, free us from the snare by which the serpent is stained with carnal passions, and lustful obsession, and evil despondency, crying out to You: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen the fathers of Judaism in the form of humanity, Who created man by the hand, and understood Him as the Lord, striving with branches to please Him, their hosanna was crying out. We bring a song to Ti, saying:
Jesus, true God;
Jesus, Son of David.
Jesus, most glorious King;
Jesus, Lamb without blemish.
Jesus, wonderful Shepherd;
Jesus, guardian of my youth.
Jesus, feeder of my youth;
Jesus, praise in my old age.
Jesus, hope in my death;
Jesus, life after my death.
Jesus, my consolation is at Thy judgment;
Jesus, my desire, do not disgrace me then.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 6
Preacher of God-bearing prophecies and fulfilling verbs, Jesus, appeared on earth and you lived inconceivably with man, and you took away our illnesses, from where by your wounds we were healed, singing with our hands: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
The illumination of Thy truth has risen into the universe, and the flattery of demons has been driven away: for idols, O our Savior, do not tolerate Thy strength, fallen. We, having received salvation, cry out to Ti:
Jesus, truly, flattery drives away;
Jesus, the light that surpasses all lordships.
Jesus, King, overcome all strengths;
Jesus, God, remain in mercy.
Jesus, Animal Bread, satisfy my hunger;
Jesus, fountain of reason, give drink to me when I am thirsty.
Jesus, robe of joy, clothe me who perishes;
Jesus, cover of joy, cover me, unworthy.
Jesus, giver of those who ask, give me mourning for my sins;
Jesus, find for those who seek, find my soul.
Jesus, opener and interpreter, open my accursed heart;
Jesus, Redeemer of sinners, cleanse my iniquities.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 7
Although you have revealed the hidden secret from the ages, as you led a sheep to the slaughter, O Jesus, and as a silent lamb straight from its shearer, and as God rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven with glory, and you raised us up with us, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
The Creator showed a wondrous display to us: He was incarnate without seed from the Virgin, from the tomb, without breaking the seal, resurrected, and to the Apostle, the door closed, with the flesh below. Even more miraculously, let us sing:
Jesus, the unfathomable Word;
Jesus, the unseen Word.
Jesus, incomprehensible power;
Jesus, wisdom unthinkable.
Jesus, indescribable Deity;
Jesus, dominion innumerable.
Jesus, kingdom invincible;
Jesus, endless dominion.
Jesus, the highest fortress;
Jesus, eternal power.
Jesus, my Creator, have mercy on me;
Jesus, my Savior, save me.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 8
Seeing God in a strange way, let us withdraw from the vanity of the world and place our minds on the Divine. For this reason, God came down to earth, so that he may lead us to heaven, crying out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All the things below and those above, the Countless One, did not retreat in any way, when by His will we suffered for the sake of suffering, and by His death put to death our death, and by His resurrection gave life to those who sing:
Jesus, sweet heart;
Jesus, bodily fortress.
Jesus, your spiritual lordship;
Jesus, quick smart.
Jesus, joyful conscience;
Jesus, hopefully known.
Jesus, eternal memory;
Jesus, high praise.
Jesus, my glory, exalted;
Jesus, my desire, do not deny me.
Jesus, my Shepherd, seek me;
Jesus, my Savior, save me.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 9
All angelic nature ceaselessly glorifies Your holy name, Jesus, in heaven: Holy, Holy, Holy, crying out; We, sinners on earth, cry out with mortal lips: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The vets are multiplying, like dumb fish we see about You, Jesus, our Savior: they are perplexed to say how the immutable God and perfect man abide? We, marveling at the mystery, cry out truly:
Jesus, eternal God;
Jesus, King of kings.
Jesus, Lord of those who possess;
Jesus, Judge of the living and the dead.
Jesus, hope of the uncertain;
Jesus, comfort to those who mourn.
Jesus, glory to the poor;
Jesus, do not judge me based on my deeds.
Jesus, cleanse me according to Your mercy;
Jesus, take away despondency from me.
Jesus, enlighten my thoughts of heart;
Jesus, give me memory of death.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 10
Although you came to save the world, from the East to the East, to the dark West - to our nature, you humbled yourself to death; In the same way, Your name is exalted above every other name, and from all the tribes of heaven and earth you hear: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
To the Eternal King, the Comforter, the true Christ, cleanse us from all filth, as you cleansed the ten lepers, and heal us, as you healed the money-loving soul of Zacchaea the publican, and cry out to You in tenderness:
Jesus, incorruptible treasure;
Jesus, inexhaustible wealth.
Jesus, strong food;
Jesus, inexhaustible drink.
Jesus, beggars' clothing;
Jesus, intercession of widows.
Jesus, defender of the orphans;
Jesus, help those who labor.
Jesus, teacher of strangers;
Jesus, the floating helmsman.
Jesus, the stormy calm;
Jesus God, raise me up, fallen.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 11
I bring all-congratulatory singing to Thee, unworthy, I cry to Thee like a Canaanite: Jesus, have mercy on me; not the daughter, but the flesh of the imam, enraged by passions and scorched by rage, and give healing to the crying Ty: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Giver of light to those who exist in the darkness of unreason, first, Paul, persecute Thee, instill the power of the God-reasonable voice and understand spiritual quickness; Enlighten the dark apple of your soul and yours, calling:
Jesus, my mighty King;
Singing Your incarnation, we all praise You, and we believe with Thomas that You are Lord and God, sitting with the Father and willing to judge the living and the dead. Then make me worthy to stand on my right hand, crying out:
Jesus, Eternal King, have mercy on me;
Jesus, fragrant flower, scent me.
Jesus, dearly beloved, warm me;
Jesus, eternal temple, cover me.
Jesus, bright robe, adorn me;
Jesus, honest bead, shine on me.
Jesus, precious stone, enlighten me;
Jesus, sun of righteousness, illuminate me.
Jesus, holy light, shine upon me;
Jesus, deliver me from mental and physical illnesses.
Jesus, take me from the hand of the enemy;
Jesus, unquenchable fire and other eternal torments free me.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 13
Oh, sweet and all-generous Jesus!
Accept now this little prayer of ours, as you have accepted two mites of widows, and preserve Your heritage from enemies visible and invisible, from the invasion of foreigners, from illness and famine, from all sorrow and mortal wounds, and the coming torment of all who cry out to You: Alleluia , alleluia, alleluia.
This Kontakion is read three times, then the 1st Ikos and the 1st Kontakion are read.
Akathist to Our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ
Kontakion 1
Defensive me Voivode and Lord, conqueror of hell! Having gotten rid of eternal death, laudatory songs I dedicate to You, Your creation and servant. You, as one who has unspeakable mercy, free me from all misfortunes, crying out: “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!”
Ikos 1
Angel Creator and Lord heavenly Strength! Open my weak mind and untie tongue to the praise of Your most pure name, as You once opened the ears and tongue of the deaf and tongue-tied untied and he spoke, crying out like this:
Wonderful Jesus, wonder of angels; Most powerful Jesus, deliverance of the first parents.
Sweet Jesus, magnification of the patriarchs; Glorious Jesus, strengthening of kings.
Beloved Jesus, fulfillment of the prophets; Wonderful Jesus, fortress of martyrs.
Quiet Jesus, joy of the monks; Most merciful Jesus, delight of the elders.
Most merciful Jesus, abstinence for fasters; Most sweet Jesus, joy of the saints.
Most venerable Jesus, virgin chastity; Eternal Jesus, salvation of sinners.
Kontakion 2
Having once seen a widow weeping bitterly, Lord, You, having mercy, raised up her son, who was carried for burial; So have mercy on me, O Lover of Mankind, and resurrect my soul, killed by sins, crying out: Hallelujah!
Ikos 2
Seeking to know the inaccessible to knowledge, “Lord, show us the Father,” said Philip. You told him: “Being with Me for so long, did you not know that the Father is in Me and I in the Father?” Therefore, Incomprehensible One, I cry out to You with fear:
Jesus, eternal God; Jesus, the most powerful King.
Jesus, Lord long-suffering; Jesus, most merciful Savior.
Jesus, my most gracious Guardian; Jesus, cleanse my sins.
Jesus, blot out my iniquities; Jesus, let go of my iniquities.
Jesus, my hope, do not leave me; Jesus, my Helper, do not reject me.
Jesus, my Creator, do not forget me; Jesus, my Shepherd, do not destroy me.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 3
Having clothed the Apostles with power from above, Jesus, who were in Jerusalem, clothed me, who had no good deed, with the warmth of Your Holy Spirit and let me sing to You with love: Hallelujah!
Ikos 3
Having an abundance of mercy, You called publicans, sinners, and unbelievers, O Jesus; Do not now despise me, who is like them, but, as a valuable world, accept this song:
Jesus, the invincible power; Jesus, infinite mercy.
Jesus, most radiant beauty; Jesus, Love unspeakable.
Jesus, Son of the living God; Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Jesus, hear me, conceived in iniquity; Jesus, cleanse me, born in sins.
Jesus, teach me, dissolute one; Jesus, illuminate me, the dark one.
Jesus, cleanse me, the filthy one; Jesus, bring me back, lost.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 4
Having a storm of doubtful thoughts in himself, Peter drowned; but seeing You, Jesus, clothed in flesh and walking on the waters, I recognized the true God in You and, having received the hand of salvation, exclaimed: Hallelujah!
Ikos 4
When the blind man heard that You, Lord, were passing by on the road, he cried out: “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” And calling his, You opened his eyes. Enlighten with Your mercy the spiritual eyes of the heart also for me, who cry out to You and say:
Jesus, Creator of the Powers above; Jesus, earthly Redeemer.
Jesus, Destroyer of the underworld; Jesus, Organizer of all creation.
Jesus, Comforter of my soul; Jesus, Enlightener of my mind.
Jesus, my heart is glad; Jesus, health to my body.
Jesus, my Savior, save me; Jesus, my light, enlighten me.
Jesus, deliver me from all torment; Jesus, save me, unworthy.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 5
Just as you once redeemed us from the curse of the law, Jesus, with your shed divine blood, so and now free us from the net in which the serpent entangled us with carnal passions, and fornication and pernicious despondency, crying out to You: Hallelujah!
Ikos 5
The Jewish children, seeing the Creator in human form His with the hand of a man, and realizing the Lord in Him, they hastened with branches to greet Him, “Hosanna!” proclaiming. We bring you a song, saying:
Jesus, true God; Jesus, Son of David.
Jesus, glorious King; Jesus, Lamb without blemish.
Jesus, wonderful Shepherd; Jesus, Guardian of my childhood.
Jesus, Guide in my youth; Jesus, glory in my old age.
Jesus, hope at my death; Jesus, life after my death.
Jesus, my consolation is at Thy judgment; Jesus, my desire, do not disgrace me then.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 6
Divinely inspired preachers fulfilling sermons and sayings, Jesus, You who cannot be contained the whole world, appeared on earth and lived with people, and took our suffering upon Himself. Therefore, having been healed by Your stripes, we learned to sing: Hallelujah!
Ikos 6
The illumination of Your truth has shone into the universe, and the demonic deception has been dispelled; for the idols, our Savior, could not bear Your power, and fell. Having received salvation, we proclaim to You:
Jesus, Truth that drives away deception; Jesus, Light, supreme of all lordship.
Jesus, the King who overcomes all in strength; Jesus, God, full of mercy.
Jesus, Bread of Life, satisfy me who am hungry; Jesus, Source of reason, give drink to me who is thirsty.
Jesus, Clothes of gladness, clothe me, who perishes; Jesus, Cover of joy, cover me, unworthy.
Jesus, Giver of those who ask, give me mourning for my sins; Jesus, Finder of those who seek, gain my soul.
Jesus, who opens to those who knock, open my unhappy heart; Jesus, Redeemer of sinners, cleanse my iniquities.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 7
Desiring to reveal a secret hidden for centuries, You were led like a sheep to the slaughter, O Jesus, and like a lamb before its shearers, was silent, and like God, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven with glory, and raised us up with Him, shouting: Hallelujah!
Ikos 7
The Creator, who appeared to us, showed an unprecedented action: He was incarnated without a seed from the Virgin, from the tomb, without breaking the seal, resurrected, and entered the Apostles in the flesh with the doors locked. Therefore, in amazement, let us sing:
Jesus, the infinite Word; Jesus, the Word is inaccessible to the eyes.
Jesus, Power incomprehensible; Jesus, Unknowable Wisdom.
Jesus, incomparable Deity; Jesus, Lordship innumerable.
Jesus, the invincible kingdom; Jesus, Dominion infinite.
Jesus, the highest Power; Jesus, Eternal Power.
Jesus, my Creator, have pity on me; Jesus, my Savior, save me.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 8
Seeing God who has wonderfully become man, let us move away from the vain world and direct our minds to the divine. For that is why God And came down to earth to raise us to heaven, shouting to Him: Hallelujah!
Ikos 8
All was in countries those below, and did not leave anything above, He who is immeasurable in number, when He voluntarily suffered for us, and through His death put to death our death, and with the resurrection gave life to those who sing:
Jesus, sweetness of the heart; Jesus, bodily strength.
Jesus, spiritual lordship; Jesus, sharpness of mind.
Jesus, joy of conscience; Jesus, hope is certain.
Jesus, eternal memory; Jesus, high praise.
Jesus, my glory, exalted; Jesus, my desire, do not reject me.
Jesus, my Shepherd, seek me; Jesus, my Savior, save me.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 9
The whole angelic world unceasingly glorifies Your holy name, Jesus, in heaven “Holy, Holy, Holy!” exclaiming; We, sinners, on earth exclaim with mortal lips: Hallelujah!
Ikos 9
We see loud voices like silent fish before You, Jesus, our Savior; for they are unable to explain how You remain unchangeable God and a perfect man. We, marveling this mystery, we exclaim with faith:
Jesus, eternal God; Jesus, King of kings.
Jesus, Lord of rulers; Jesus, Judge of the living and the dead.
Jesus, hope of the hopeless; Jesus, comfort to those who mourn.
Jesus, glory to the poor; Jesus, do not judge me based on my deeds.
Jesus, cleanse me according to Your mercy; Jesus, drive away despondency from me.
Jesus, enlighten the eyes of my heart; Jesus, give me the memory of death.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 10
Wanting to save the world, You, the Sun shining at sunrise, descended to the dark west of our nature and humbled Yourself to acceptance of death. Therefore Your name has been exalted above every name, and from all generations of heaven and earth You hear: Hallelujah!
Ikos 10
Eternal King, Comforter, true Christ, cleanse us from all filth, as you cleansed the ten lepers, and heal us, as you healed the money-loving soul of Zacchaeus the publican, so that we may proclaim to You, crying out in tenderness:
Jesus, incorruptible treasure; Jesus, inexhaustible wealth.
Jesus, strengthening food; Jesus, inexhaustible drink.
Jesus, beggars' clothing; Jesus, intercession of widows.
Jesus, protector of the orphans; Jesus, help the working people.
Jesus, guide of pilgrims; Jesus, the floating helmsman.
Jesus, a quiet refuge for those who endure the storm; Jesus God, raise me up, fallen.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 11
I offer You singing with complete contrition, I, unworthy, cry out to You like the Canaanite woman: “Jesus, have mercy on me!” For I do not have a daughter, but a flesh heavily possessed by passions and inflamed by anger, and grant healing to the one who proclaims to You: Hallelujah!
Ikos 11
You, Lamp, who gives light to those who are in the darkness of ignorance, Paul, who had previously persecuted, heeded the power of the voice of Divine Wisdom and quickly saw in his soul. So enlighten the darkened eyes of my soul, which exclaims:
Jesus, my strongest King; Jesus, my God almighty.
Jesus, my immortal Lord; Jesus, my glorious Creator.
Jesus, my good Teacher; Jesus, my generous Shepherd.
Jesus, my most merciful Lord; Jesus, my most merciful Savior.
Jesus, enlighten my feelings, darkened by passions; Jesus, heal my body, which is covered with sores of sins.
Jesus, cleanse my mind from vain thoughts; Jesus, keep my heart from evil desires.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 12
Grace forgiveness Grant me, Jesus who forgives all debts, and accept me, the repentant one, as You accepted Peter, who denied You, and call me, careless, like Paul once persecuted You, and hear me exclaiming to You: Hallelujah!
Ikos 12
Glorifying Your incarnation, we all praise You and believe with Thomas that You are Lord and God, sitting with the Father and coming to judge the living and the dead. Then deign to stand on the right from you me calling:
Jesus, Eternal King, have mercy on me; Jesus, fragrant flower, fill me with fragrance.
Jesus, beloved Warmth, warm me; Jesus, Eternal Temple, cover me.
Jesus, bright robe, adorn me; Jesus, Pearl of great price, shine upon me.
Jesus, dear Stone, enlighten me; Jesus, Sun of righteousness, illuminate me.
Jesus, Holy Light, illuminate me; Jesus, deliver me from mental and physical illnesses.
Jesus, pluck me from the hand of the enemy; Jesus, free me from unquenchable fire and other eternal torments.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Kontakion 13
O sweet and all-merciful Jesus! Accept now this little prayer of ours, just as You accepted the widow’s two mites, and preserve Your inheritance from enemies visible and invisible, from the invasion of foreigners, from illness and hunger, from all sorrow and deadly ulcers, and from the coming torment deliver all who cry to You: Hallelujah!
(Three times)
Then the 1st Ikos and 1st Kontakion are read
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The Akathist to our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ was written around the 13th century. But the author is still unknown.
Almost no prayer book is complete without this text. Although the canon of the church includes only one obligatory akathist - to the Most Holy Theotokos, the akathist to the sweetest Jesus remains beloved and popular. This is not surprising, because people reciprocate the love of Christ.
Let's talk about this akathist in more detail.
Akathist to sweetest Jesus is a hymn of praise praising the virtues of the Savior
The tradition of writing akathists is quite ancient. The Greeks also composed hymns in honor of the gods. When antiquity became a thing of the past, Greek culture was preserved in other countries. Sublime poetry is our inheritance from the Greek poets. It was she who influenced the appearance of the first Christian hymn - the akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos.
The form caught on and was called the akathist. The hymn to the Virgin Mary was often imitated. Sometimes successful, sometimes mediocre. An example of a good church hymn is an akathist to the sweetest Lord Jesus Christ. It couldn't be any other way. After all, the Savior deserved just such a divinely inspired and poetic work.
When reading the akathist to the sweetest Jesus Christ, they remember the life of the Savior and his great sacrifice
The tone of this akathist is enthusiastic, the content is laudatory. It tells about the life of Jesus Christ on earth, about his boundless love for people. About the saving mission that the canonical gospels tell about. Attention is also paid to the dignity of Jesus as a man:
- Humility
- Meekness
- Purity
- Philanthropy
The author of the akathist to sweetest Jesus is unknown, but he knew the New Testament very well
It is known about the akathist to our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ that this is one of the very first church hymns. This is how Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov comments on the question of the authorship of this akathist:
Artemy Vladimirov Archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church
“Until now, scientists, historians, and those who study ancient liturgical literature have not come to a consensus about who owns the Akathist, written in honor of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is an opinion that this is the hand of Hesychius, a presbyter of Jerusalem, a remarkable ascetic writer of the early Middle Ages, who left us with his reflections on the importance of the Jesus Prayer and how the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, when carefully invoked, has a gracious and beneficial effect on the inner world of a Christian: it enlightens his mind, pacifies the heart, delivers from passions and bad habits, imprints in the soul the perfections of Christ, or the virtues of humility, meekness, peace, purity, courage, joy, prudence and love.
One thing is clear: the person who meditated on the name of God, Christ the Redeemer, calling Him now pearl, now precious stone, now lightning, now Good Shepherd, door, Bread, Light, was perfectly familiar with the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament.”
Hesychius - presbyter of Jerusalem, possibly the author of the akathis to the sweetest Jesus Christ
An akathist to the sweetest Jesus is not the only work in his honor; there is also a canon, a prayer, a thanksgiving akathist, etc.
“Sweetest Jesus” is one of the appeals to Jesus Christ. This is an epithet from early church texts. For example, the grace of the Holy Spirit is also called sweet. Even the Old Testament itself states that God's law is sweet. There are countless works in honor of Christ. In honor of the sweetest Christ - less, but also found:
- Akathist of thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus Christ (“The incorruptible King of the ages, who holds in His right hand...”)
- Prayer to the sweetest Jesus.
Here is the text of the prayer:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Source of Wisdom and Giver of all goodness, true hope for all who want to be saved and come into the true mind! Heeding the call of Your voice: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” we bow to You, the eternal joy, in prayer, stretching out our hands.
You, Whom our troubled soul has loved and loves, bless us with Your sovereign right hand, as you once blessed the children of Israel, and with the bounties of Your mercy fall upon us. Enlighten us with the light of Divine teaching, so that we may know Your all-holy name and learn the right ways, so that we may not perish from unrighteous deeds.
Cleanse our hearts from all wickedness and harmful lusts, dwell in us, Master, dwell and abide in us, Your servants, inseparably even to death, so that we, feeling Your presence, rush with all our might towards You, the ineffable Light and unfailing Love.
Strengthen our will all day long to learn Your commandments and to continually remain in faith, hope and love for You, our Creator and Provider, and in love for our neighbor.”
Grant us in this life, temporary and deplorable, every good and every joy, so that we glorify Your Most Holy Name, revered, cognized and worshiped in the Holy Trinity of the Consubstantial One, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
And there is also the text of the canon to the Sweetest Jesus - also quite voluminous.
These texts should not be confused with the Repentant Akathist to the Lord (“Chosen Voivode and Lord, Joy to Thy repentant servants...”) - it does not contain the epithet “Sweetest” and is intended for the repentant.
How to read this akathist?
First, you should pay attention to your posture. It is customary to read akathists while standing. For the final prayer one must kneel. But fanaticism is not needed. If age or health does not allow you to complete all the details, there is no need to injure yourself. God sees and understands everything.
Secondly, the inner attitude is important. Let us quote Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov again:
“The Akathist to the Savior, as we are finding out, has a certain miraculous, miraculous property of influencing the inner, moral world of a person and enlightening him with the grace of the Holy Spirit. That’s why I feel sorry for those people who sometimes confess even to priests: “And what is it, father, that we read the same prayers all our lives: morning prayers in the morning, evening prayers in the evening? Here are the Akathists to the Mother of God, the Savior - doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, like peas against a wall.”
It’s sad, friends, to listen to these words, because God does not need the volume of pages of the prayer book we read, but attentive, thoughtful, reasonable, I would say, reverent and reverent presence before Himself. And since our thoughts scatter, our hearts, like the surface of the sea, are agitated, we begin to pray, swarmed like flies with some dreams, memories, then we are unable to establish a golden thread of communication with the Creator - thoughts are confused, words get stuck in larynx.
That is why, having taken the Akathist to the Savior, written by a holy man, whose heart became the reed of a cursive scribe, in whose heart the Lord God Himself rested invisibly, we, as soon as we read the first kontakion and ikos, feel a grace-filled change within ourselves. Only by following every word with our minds, bringing what we read to our minds and hearts, do we seem to gain wings with the help of which we are given the opportunity to ascend from earth to heaven.
A kind of blessed bridge is being built before us of its own accord, connecting time and eternity.”
Akathist to our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ in modern translation
When reading an akathist, it is useful to focus on its meaning and immerse yourself in the atmosphere. Church language can make this task much more difficult. Therefore, for thoughtful reading, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the modern translation.
First, the original text of Kontakion 1:
It translates like this:
The Voivode and Lord who defends me, the conqueror of hell! Having gotten rid of eternal death, I dedicate songs of praise to You, I, Your creation and servant. You, as one who has unspeakable mercy, free me from all misfortunes, crying out: “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!”
Let's turn to the original icos 1:
O Creator of angels and Lord of strength, open my bewildered mind and tongue to the praise of Thy most pure name, just as Thou didst open the ears and tongue of the deaf and humming ancients, and with the following call: O most wonderful Jesus, the wonder of the angels; Most powerful Jesus, deliverance of the first parents. Sweet Jesus, magnification of the patriarchs; Glorious Jesus, strengthening of kings.
Beloved Jesus, fulfillment of the prophets; Wonderful Jesus, fortress of martyrs. Quiet Jesus, joy of the monks; Most merciful Jesus, sweetness of the elders. Most merciful Jesus, abstinence for fasters; Most sweet Jesus, joy to the saints. Most honorable Jesus, virgin chastity; Eternal Jesus, salvation of sinners. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
In modern language this text looks like this:
Creator of Angels and Lord of the Heavenly Powers! Open my weak mind and loosen my tongue to the praise of Your most pure name, as You once opened the ears of the deaf and tongue-tied, and loosened the tongue, and he spoke, thus exclaiming:
Wonderful Jesus, wonder of angels; Most powerful Jesus, deliverance of the first parents.
Sweet Jesus, magnification of the patriarchs; Glorious Jesus, strengthening of kings.
Beloved Jesus, fulfillment of the prophets; Wonderful Jesus, fortress of martyrs.
Quiet Jesus, joy of the monks; Most merciful Jesus, delight of the elders.
Most merciful Jesus, abstinence for fasters; Most sweet Jesus, joy of the saints.
Most venerable Jesus, virgin chastity; Eternal Jesus, salvation of sinners.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
It’s also good to start by listening to the akathist performed correctly:
Text of the Akathist to Our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ
Chosen Voivode and Lord, hell to the conqueror, as if you were delivered from eternal death, I will sing praises to You, Thy creation and servant; but, as if you have unspeakable mercy, free me from all troubles, calling: Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
O Creator of angels and Lord of strength, open my bewildered mind and tongue to the praise of Thy most pure name, just as Thou didst open the ears and tongue of the deaf and humming ancients, and with the following call: O most wonderful Jesus, the wonder of the angels; Most powerful Jesus, deliverance of the first parents. Sweet Jesus, magnification of the patriarchs; Glorious Jesus, strengthening of kings. Beloved Jesus, fulfillment of the prophets; Wonderful Jesus, fortress of martyrs. Quiet Jesus, joy of the monks; Most merciful Jesus, sweetness of the elders. Most merciful Jesus, abstinence for fasters; Most sweet Jesus, joy to the saints. Most honorable Jesus, virgin chastity; Eternal Jesus, salvation of sinners. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Seeing the widow weeping green, Lord, as if you had mercy then and raised up her son for burial; Have mercy on me too, O Lover of mankind, and resurrect my soul, killed by sins, calling: Alleluia.
Philip, seeking to understand the unreasonable mind, Lord, show us the Father, he said; You come to him: you have been with Me for so long, have you not known that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father? Moreover, Unexplored, I call to You with fear: Jesus, Eternal God; Jesus, most powerful King. Jesus, long-suffering Master; Jesus, most merciful Savior. Jesus, my most gracious guardian; Jesus, cleanse my sins. Jesus, take away my iniquities; Jesus, let go of my iniquities. Jesus, my hope, do not forsake me; Jesus, my helper, do not reject me. Jesus, my Creator, do not forget me; Jesus, my Shepherd, do not destroy me. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
You have clothed the Apostles with power from on high, O Jesus, who sit in Jerusalem, and clothed me, naked from all good works, with the warmth of Your Holy Spirit, and grant me to sing to You with love: Alleluia.
Have riches of mercy, O publicans and sinners, and you have called the unbelievers, O Jesus; Do not despise me now, who is like them, but, like a valuable ointment, accept this song: Jesus, invincible power; Jesus, endless mercy. Jesus, most radiant beauty; Jesus, love unspeakable. Jesus, Son of the Living God; Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner. Jesus, hear me conceived in iniquity; Jesus, cleanse me of the sins I was born of. Jesus, teach me what is inappropriate; Jesus, lighten the dark for me. Jesus, cleanse me that is filthy; Jesus, lead me up as a prodigal. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Having a storm of doubtful thoughts inside, Peter drowned; Having seen Thee existing in the flesh, Jesus, and walking on the waters, I came to know Thee as the true God and, having received the hand of salvation, said: Alleluia.
Hearing Thee passing by, O Lord, the blind man cried out: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! And having called, you opened his eyes. Enlighten with Thy mercy the eyes of the mental heart and of me, crying out to Thee and saying: Jesus, to the Creator on high; Jesus, lower Redeemer. Jesus, hell to the consumer; Jesus, beautifier of all creation. Jesus, Comforter of my soul; Jesus, enlightener of my mind. Jesus, my heart is glad; Jesus, health to my body. Jesus, my Savior, save me; Jesus, my light, enlighten me. Jesus, deliver me from all torment; Jesus, save me, unworthy. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
With your rich Blood, as you redeemed us of old from the legal oath, Jesus, free us from the snare by which the serpent is stained with carnal passions, and lustful obsession, and evil despondency, crying out to You: Alleluia.
Having seen the fathers of Judaism in the form of humanity, Who created man by the hand, and understood Him as the Lord, striving with branches to please Him, their hosanna was crying out. We offer a song to Thee, saying: Jesus, true God; Jesus, Son of David. Jesus, most glorious King; Jesus, Lamb without blemish. Jesus, wonderful Shepherd; Jesus, guardian of my youth. Jesus, feeder of my youth; Jesus, praise in my old age. Jesus, hope in my death; Jesus, life after my death. Jesus, my consolation is at Thy judgment; Jesus, my desire, do not disgrace me then. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Preacher of God-bearing prophecies and fulfilling verbs, Jesus, appeared on earth and you lived inconceivably with man, and you took away our illnesses, from where by your wounds we were healed, singing with our hands: Alleluia.
The illumination of Thy truth has risen into the universe, and the flattery of demons has been driven away: for idols, O our Savior, do not tolerate Thy strength, fallen. We, having received salvation, cry out to You: Jesus, truly, you drive away flattery; Jesus, the light that surpasses all lordships. Jesus, King, overcome all strengths; Jesus, God, remain in mercy. Jesus, Animal Bread, satisfy my hunger; Jesus, fountain of reason, give drink to me when I am thirsty. Jesus, robe of joy, clothe me who perishes; Jesus, cover of joy, cover me, unworthy. Jesus, giver of those who ask, give me mourning for my sins; Jesus, find for those who seek, find my soul. Jesus, opener and interpreter, open my accursed heart; Jesus, Redeemer of sinners, cleanse my iniquities. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Although you have revealed the hidden secret from the ages, as you led a sheep to the slaughter, O Jesus, and as a silent lamb straight from its shearer, and as God rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven with glory, and you raised us up with us, calling: Alleluia.
The Creator showed a wondrous display to us: He was incarnate without seed from the Virgin, from the tomb, without breaking the seal, resurrected, and to the Apostle, the door closed, with the flesh below. In the same way, marveling, let us sing: Jesus, the unfathomable Word; Jesus, the unseen Word. Jesus, incomprehensible power; Jesus, wisdom unthinkable. Jesus, indescribable Deity; Jesus, dominion innumerable. Jesus, kingdom invincible; Jesus, endless dominion. Jesus, the highest fortress; Jesus, eternal power. Jesus, my Creator, have mercy on me; Jesus, my Savior, save me. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Seeing God in a strange way, let us withdraw from the vanity of the world and place our minds on the Divine. For this reason, God came down to earth, so that he may lead us to heaven, crying out to Him: Alleluia.
All the things below, and those above, did not retreat in any way, Countless One, always willing us to suffer, and by His death put to death our death, and by His resurrection gave life to those who sing: Jesus, sweetness of the heart; Jesus, bodily fortress. Jesus, your spiritual lordship; Jesus, quick smart. Jesus, joyful conscience; Jesus, hopefully known. Jesus, eternal memory; Jesus, high praise. Jesus, my glory, exalted; Jesus, my desire, do not deny me. Jesus, my Shepherd, seek me; Jesus, my Savior, save me. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
All angelic nature ceaselessly glorifies Your holy name, Jesus, in heaven: Holy, Holy, Holy, crying out; We, sinners on earth, cry out with mortal lips: Alleluia.
The vets are multiplying, like dumb fish we see about You, Jesus, our Savior: they are perplexed to say how the immutable God and perfect man abide? We, marveling at the mystery, cry out faithfully: Jesus, eternal God; Jesus, King of kings. Jesus, Lord of those who possess; Jesus, Judge of the living and the dead. Jesus, hope of the uncertain; Jesus, comfort to those who mourn. Jesus, glory to the poor; Jesus, do not judge me based on my deeds. Jesus, cleanse me according to Your mercy; Jesus, take away despondency from me. Jesus, enlighten my thoughts of heart; Jesus, give me memory of death. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Although you came to save the world, from the East to the East, to the dark West - to our nature, you humbled yourself to death; In the same way, Your name is exalted above every other name, and from all the tribes of heaven and earth you hear: Alleluia.
To the Eternal King, the Comforter, the true Christ, cleanse us from all filth, as you cleansed the ten lepers, and heal us, as you healed the money-loving soul of Zacchaeus the publican, and cry to You, crying out in tenderness: Jesus, incorruptible treasure; Jesus, inexhaustible wealth. Jesus, strong food; Jesus, inexhaustible drink. Jesus, beggars' clothing; Jesus, intercession of widows. Jesus, defender of the orphans; Jesus, help those who labor. Jesus, teacher of strangers; Jesus, the floating helmsman. Jesus, the stormy calm; Jesus God, raise me up, fallen. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
I bring all-congratulatory singing to Thee, unworthy, I cry to Thee like a Canaanite: Jesus, have mercy on me; not the daughter, but the flesh of the imam, enraged by passions and scorched by rage, and give healing to the crying Ty: Alleluia.
Giver of light to those who exist in the darkness of unreason, first, Paul, persecute Thee, instill the power of the God-reasonable voice and understand spiritual quickness; Enlighten the dark apple of my soul and my soul, calling: Jesus, my mighty King; Jesus, my most powerful God. Jesus, my immortal Lord; Jesus, my glorious Creator. Jesus, my kind Mentor; Jesus, my most generous Shepherd. Jesus, my most merciful Lord; Jesus, my most merciful Savior. Jesus, enlighten my feelings, darkened by passions; Jesus, heal my body, weakened by sins. Jesus, cleanse my mind from vain thoughts; Jesus, keep my heart from evil lusts. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Give me grace, the resolver of all debts, Jesus, and accept me repentant, as you accepted Peter, who rejected You, and call me, despondent, like Paul of old, persecuting Thee, and hear me, crying out to Thee: Alleluia.
Singing Your incarnation, we all praise You, and we believe with Thomas that You are Lord and God, sitting with the Father and willing to judge the living and the dead. Then make me worthy to stand on my right hand, crying: Jesus, Eternal King, have mercy on me; Jesus, fragrant flower, scent me. Jesus, dearly beloved, warm me; Jesus, eternal temple, cover me. Jesus, bright robe, adorn me; Jesus, honest bead, shine on me. Jesus, precious stone, enlighten me; Jesus, sun of righteousness, illuminate me. Jesus, holy light, shine upon me; Jesus, deliver me from mental and physical illnesses. Jesus, take me from the hand of the enemy; Jesus, unquenchable fire and other eternal torments free me. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Oh, sweet and all-generous Jesus! Accept now this little prayer of ours, as you have accepted two mites of widows, and preserve Your heritage from enemies visible and invisible, from the invasion of foreigners, from illness and famine, from all sorrow and mortal wounds, and the coming torment of all who cry out to You: Alleluia , alleluia, alleluia.
This Kontakion is read three times, then the 1st Ikos and the 1st Kontakion are read.
Opening speech by Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov about the Akathist to the Sweetest Jesus.
(Transcribed with minimal editing of spoken language)
Greetings, dear friends! You and I continue our conversations, our spiritual reflections. And if you remember, quite recently we completed a lot of work, reflecting on the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos. From transmission to transmission we took one petition at a time, which begins with the word “Rejoice” and reflected on spiritual life, earthly life, the path of salvation drawn for us by the finger of God, under the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But, alas, just as all good things must come to an end, we have exhausted the entire volume of the Akathist. However, no less joy awaits us ahead: you and I are about to begin another Great Akathist, dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Essentially, these two Akathists: the Theotokos and the Akathist to the Savior became, as you probably know, the primary basis for many other works of a similar genre, dedicated to one or another icon of the Theotokos or a saint of God. But all these akathists, written in subsequent centuries, up to the 20th and 21st, are oriented and go back to one of the two Great Akathists: the Savior or the Mother of God.
It is remarkable that church writers were in no hurry to leave their autograph, just as icon painters, when creating masterpieces glorifying the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary, did not put signatures in the margins of the icons. And until now, scientists, historians, and those who study ancient liturgical literature have not come to a consensus about who owns the Akathist, written in honor of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is an opinion that this is the hand of Hesychius, a presbyter of Jerusalem, a remarkable ascetic writer of the early Middle Ages, who left us with his reflections on the importance of the Jesus Prayer and how the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, when carefully invoked, has a gracious and beneficial effect on the inner world of a Christian: it enlightens his mind, pacifies the heart, delivers from passions and bad habits, imprints in the soul the perfections of Christ, or the virtues of humility, meekness, peace, purity, courage, joy, prudence and love.
However, not everyone is convinced that the authorship of this marvelous work in its artistic features, depth of meaning, expressiveness of language, and accuracy of images belongs to Saint Hesychius. One thing is clear: the person who meditated on the name of God, Christ the Redeemer, calling Him now a pearl, now a precious stone, now lightning, now the Good Shepherd, the door, the Bread, the Light, was perfectly familiar with the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament. The mind of the author of the Akathist was literally dissolved in the language of the epistles of the Apostle Paul or the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But not only this, before us is not just a scribe who has been studying spiritual literature all his life, comparing and contrasting with the help of memory, using the ability to rationally weigh the material, what is revealed to his gaze, before us is also a genuine ascetic, an ascetic of piety, a person in whom the grace of the Holy Spirit lives and manifests itself without forcing thinking, and the Holy Spirit triples the will of Christ’s disciple and increases his creative abilities tenfold.
It is impossible not to admit that the Akathist to the Lord Jesus Christ is a work anointed with the grace of the Holy Spirit, a work written by an inspired hymnographer. The author of this Akathist can, without any doubt, be called the greatest poet, considering that the Greek meaning of the word "poetry" is translated as "action", and in fact the Holy Spirit acted in the heart of the author of the Akathist. The words he composed and dedicated to God impact the minds and hearts of his listeners. A person will approach this Akathist, suppressed by deep sadness, perhaps bound hand and foot by the spirit of despondency, will force himself to read the kontakion and ikos, first, second, third, and if his attention does not slide over the text, if he does not mechanically repeat these words, but will bring them to the mind and heart, believe me (and this has been tested by the experience of millions of Orthodox Christians), a spark of cheerfulness, joy, vital energy suddenly lights up in the heart, and the Holy Spirit, according to the law of communicating vessels, overflows from the Akathist or from the heart of a holy ascetic , who wrote it, into the heart of the infirm, weak, prone to despondency of the modern reader. And he suddenly notices with surprise that his soul has become lighter, his heart is warmer, he feels the urge to continue reading, no longer forcing himself, but willingly, with joy, not as a burden, but as a joy. And this is undoubted evidence that a person performs akathist readings not only with his own strength, but also with the help of the invisibly present Guardian Angel. As St. Seraphim of Sarov beautifully speaks about this in his notes: “At the hour when every word of the prayer you say falls on your heart and you feel that this word is torn off like an arrow from a bowstring and goes into the spiritual world, falling to the Throne of God, when “, reading prayers, you suddenly begin to understand and realize that the Heavenly Father Himself looks at you from the height of His glory, sees and hears all your efforts and accepts your requests and needs, at such an hour know that the Angel of God is praying with you.”
The Akathist to the Savior, as we are finding out, has a certain miraculous, miraculous property of influencing the inner, moral world of a person and enlightening him with the grace of the Holy Spirit. That’s why I feel sorry for those people who sometimes confess even to priests: “And what is it, father, that we read the same prayers all our lives: morning prayers in the morning, evening prayers in the evening? Here are the Akathists to the Mother of God, the Savior - doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, like peas against a wall.” It’s sad, friends, to listen to these words, because God does not need the volume of pages of the prayer book we read, but attentive, thoughtful, reasonable, I would say, reverent and reverent presence before Himself. And since our thoughts scatter, our hearts, like the surface of the sea, are agitated, we begin to pray, covered, like flies, with some dreams, memories, then we are unable to establish a golden thread of communication with the Creator - thoughts are confused, words get stuck in larynx. That is why, having taken the Akathist to the Savior, written by a holy man, whose heart became the reed of a cursive scribe, in whose heart the Lord God Himself rested invisibly, we, as soon as we read the first kontakion and ikos, feel a grace-filled change within ourselves. Only by following every word with our minds, bringing what we read to our minds and hearts, do we seem to gain wings with the help of which we are given the opportunity to ascend from earth to heaven. Before us, a kind of grace-filled bridge is built of its own accord, connecting time and eternity.
And next time, dear friends, you and I, having opened the prayer book, will begin to study this Akathist, which will show and prove to us that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator, the Savior, and the Judge of all people. He is the true God and the true Man, He is the dearest and closest being to us, it is no coincidence that His name is Love. And looking at Christ, Who will open His arms from the Cross, taking the Akathist in his hands, we will turn to Him like little children, and God will hear us and accept our prayer and give us incomparably more than we ask of Him.
Recorded by Aksinia Shmondenko
