Akathist to Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

Praise of the holy elder and prayer for consolation, healing, and help in the Christian life.

Kontakion 1

Let us with one voice praise the chosen ascetic and vessel of fragrant spices, the blossom of Cappadocia and dweller in Panagouda on Athos, our watchful intercessor. For, imitating the angelic life, you pleased the Holy Trinity; therefore we cry to you: Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Ikos 1

You became an imitator of the angels in the chosen portion of the Theotokos, and a most fervent intercessor for us before God, father Paisios; therefore we bless you thus:

Rejoice, praise of Saint Arsenios;

Rejoice, renowned splendor of Athos.

Rejoice, image of heavenly life;

Rejoice, shoot of Asia Minor.

Rejoice, always praised among the people of Farasa;

Rejoice, rule for those living the monastic life.

Rejoice, great guardian of the Orthodox faith;

Rejoice, enlightener of the sheep of the Church.

Rejoice, divine branch of Cappadocia;

Rejoice, fragrant myrrh of Greece.

Rejoice, earthly angel, messenger on earth;

Rejoice, heavenly man dwelling in heaven.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 2

Seeing that you received Baptism from the hand of holy Arsenios in Farasa of Cappadocia, the homeland of saints, and that the prayer of this saint made you a fruitful branch of Asia Minor and Greece, we worthily glorify you, singing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Knowing the sufferings of those driven from their homeland, wandering and grieving over the destruction of your parents’ home, you were strengthened in faith and received the light of the knowledge of God through His grace, holy Paisios. Therefore, beholding your miracles now, we cry to you:

Rejoice, you who acquired the blessings of Jesus;

Rejoice, luminary of the portion of the Mother of God.

Rejoice, well of most wise good deeds;

Rejoice, ark of the gifts of the Most High.

Rejoice, tranquil radiance of the Spirit of God;

Rejoice, ineffable fragrance of virtues.

Rejoice, ray of the Sun of Righteousness, driving away afflictions;

Rejoice, holy spring healing every passion.

Rejoice, most zealous servant of the Queen of Heaven;

Rejoice, victorious warrior of the Holy Mountain.

Rejoice, tireless laborer in fasting and prayer;

Rejoice, unfailing defender of the suffering and sorrowful.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 3

Understanding the power of the Most High that strengthens the martyrs, and attending to their lives, you ascended with your blessed soul to unceasing praise of the Creator of all. Remembering this, we cry to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Hearing the words of the Heavenly Bridegroom, that He is the Resurrection and the Life and that whoever believes in Him shall never die, you were filled with ineffable light and cast down the deception of unbelief. Therefore, instructed by your wisdom, we sing to you in thanksgiving:

Rejoice, you who escaped the snares of godlessness;

Rejoice, you who plainly beheld Christ.

Rejoice, restorer of the monastery of Stomion;

Rejoice, conqueror of the heretics of Konitsa.

Rejoice, inexhaustible stream of almsgiving;

Rejoice, strengthened by the radiance from on high.

Rejoice, watered garden of the mountain of Moses;

Rejoice, sheltering tree of the Sinai desert.

Rejoice, intercessor for the monastery of the great martyr Catherine;

Rejoice, imitator of this virgin in wisdom.

Rejoice, fellow dweller with Saints Galaktion and Episteme;

Rejoice, companion of the angelic hosts on earth.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 4

Because you had a burning love for the Mother of God, most pure father, you gained her as your steadfast ally and guardian. Therefore we also, desiring to share in your gifts, sing on your account: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

The ends of the earth have heard your name, holy Paisios, for you appeared like a sun shining in these latter times and strengthening Orthodoxy in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Remembering your divinely inspired teachings with one mind, we offer you these words:

Rejoice, most beloved of the All-holy Lady;

Rejoice, bearer of Christ’s enriching gifts.

Rejoice, you who pray with the Cherubim;

Rejoice, you who share the disposition of the Seraphim.

Rejoice, strong defense of those who love God;

Rejoice, richly adorned ornament of the Church.

Rejoice, protection of monks and safeguard of your homeland;

Rejoice, shoot of Konitsa and defense of Stomion.

Rejoice, vine of the Mother of God, bearing fruit in due season;

Rejoice, fragrant garden of true repentance.

Rejoice, prophetic utterance in the words of God;

Rejoice, balm for the wounds of sinners.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 5

Having acquired love pleasing to God, you offered yourself in sacrifice for your brothers, and from the monastery of Stomion you bestowed the blessing of the Most Pure One upon the peoples living nearby. For such self-denial you now glorify Christ with the angels; and we, called to celebrate your memory, cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing you lay down your life for your neighbor, blessed Paisios, we come to you: be merciful to us, and, standing before Christ the Master, entreat Him to drive away the sinful darkness that clouds the minds of those who glorify you with these hymns of prayer:

Rejoice, vigilant singer of the Theotokos;

Rejoice, valiant warrior of Panagouda.

Rejoice, guiding star for the lost;

Rejoice, trumpet of Athos calling us to God.

Rejoice, consolation of those who weep;

Rejoice, helper of those who suffer.

Rejoice, divine strengthening of the sorrowful;

Rejoice, unfailing care for monks.

Rejoice, our intercessor before the Merciful Lady;

Rejoice, healer of the sick who asks no payment.

Rejoice, guide of those engaged in spiritual struggle;

Rejoice, you who greatly praise the Theotokos, the Portaitissa.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 6

You are a God-bearing preacher and pillar of faith, asking for us the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, on your account, most wondrous elder, we continually cry to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Shining like an inextinguishable lamp with the light of the thrice-radiant Godhead, you became a teacher of repentance, holy Paisios. Receiving heavenly consolation and knowledge of grace through your intercessions, we glorify you, crying:

Rejoice, you who offer praises to the Mother of God like a chosen nightingale;

Rejoice, you who offer tears to Christ like fragrant myrrh.

Rejoice, diligent in the confession of thoughts;

Rejoice, you who partook of the Mystical Supper with a pure soul.

Rejoice, model of self-restraint and self-denial;

Rejoice, strong intercession for the village of Fovero.

Rejoice, you who proclaimed Christ the Sun to those of little faith;

Rejoice, you who satisfied all with the mercy of the Lover of mankind.

Rejoice, heavenly lily, fragrant with prayer for the world;

Rejoice, sweet wine filling souls with joy.

Rejoice, resounding proclamation of Revelation;

Rejoice, outpouring upon us of the Comforter’s grace.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 7

Desiring to follow the Savior, you zealously embraced a life of martyrdom, keeping your soul and body undefiled through divine love for Christ. Therefore we bless you, singing to God with one voice: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Through prayer and love you found a new victory over enemies invisible and visible, all-blessed father; and taking up the full armor of humility, you destroyed the plots and efforts of demons and cried out in thanksgiving to God. Therefore we also offer you these praises:

Rejoice, abundant treasury of light;

Rejoice, vessel of Christ’s compassion.

Rejoice, song of David’s Psalter;

Rejoice, supplication to Saint Arsenios.

Rejoice, you who correct and encourage sinners;

Rejoice, you who ask mercy of the Theotokos.

Rejoice, crowned leader of ascetics;

Rejoice, dew-bearing shelter for the suffering.

Rejoice, firm staff for those who stumble;

Rejoice, oil of mercy for the wounded.

Rejoice, pillar and strength of the repentant;

Rejoice, peaceful rest for the weary.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 8

A stranger in the world, Paisios, you loved the Lord and subdued your passions by God’s grace. Now, like a flash of light, you illumine those who on your account continually cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Everyone who came to you, father Paisios, quickly found consolation, and whoever asked received the gift of grace. Therefore we also cry to you:

Rejoice, radiant star for those in darkness;

Rejoice, teacher and leader of the repentant.

Rejoice, you who bear the burdens of the brethren of Athos;

Rejoice, you who receive the blessing of the garden of the All-pure One.

Rejoice, sweet proclamation of Christ’s goodness;

Rejoice, fragrance of prayer of the mind.

Rejoice, you who proclaim the Savior to the world;

Rejoice, you who sing the Archangel’s hymn to the All-holy Lady.

Rejoice, flame of hope, mercy, and love;

Rejoice, compassionate cleansing amid battle with the enemy.

Rejoice, anointed with the oil of the prophetic gift;

Rejoice, you who became like the Heavenly Father in compassion.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 9

You preached the word to everyone who listened, imitating the apostles; and through divine zeal and love for your neighbors you shone like the sun on earth, glorifying the Holy Trinity: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

You despised the vain eloquence of this world, father, pouring forth streams of tears like myrrh from your soul, your heart aching for people suffering in soul and body. Therefore we now send up hymns to you from our souls, crying earnestly in humility:

Rejoice, tireless servant of the Gospel;

Rejoice, unfailing receiver of the light of the thrice-radiant Godhead.

Rejoice, you who completed the course of ascetic discipline;

Rejoice, you who surpassed others in profound humility.

Rejoice, radiance of faith on Mount Athos;

Rejoice, sweet praise of the All-holy Lady.

Rejoice, glorious teacher of action and contemplation;

Rejoice, you who understood divine visions with great wisdom.

Rejoice, tireless cultivator of the garden of the Most Pure One;

Rejoice, companion of Saints Lucillian, Panteleimon, and Euphemia.

Rejoice, you who heard the voice of the Maiden of God with your ears;

Rejoice, you who plainly saw her as she appears in the Jerusalem icon.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 10

Desiring with all your heart the salvation of your fellow countrymen, holy Paisios, you became the glory and fervent defender of Cappadocia and Greece. For you ascended the ladder of virtues in a manner pleasing to God, continually singing to the Holy Trinity: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You are a wall for the faithful, father Paisios; for, loving the angelic life, through your ascetic labors you attained an unceasing place before the Holy Trinity. Therefore, offering songs of thanksgiving from the depths of our hearts and souls, we humbly cry to you:

Rejoice, lamp-bearer of Athos, shining upon the world by God’s revelation;

Rejoice, sweetly singing voice proclaiming the Word of God.

Rejoice, father of many children, healing human suffering;

Rejoice, fruitful one, setting right the paths of the lost.

Rejoice, for through prayer you crush the heads of serpents;

Rejoice, for even your countenance consoles us.

Rejoice, you who bring joy to the unwedded Bride;

Rejoice, you who make smooth the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Rejoice, called the incense of the Spirit of God;

Rejoice, you who quickly lead us to tenderness of heart.

Rejoice, tireless practitioner of the Jesus Prayer even amid the world;

Rejoice, grateful servant of the Mother of God.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 11

Humbly you wove praise to the Creator and the Ever-virgin together with many ascetic labors by night and day, holy one, showing yourself to be a vessel of God’s Spirit. Falling before the Holy Trinity, we sing on your account and cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

Your holy memory reveals the light and fragrance of devotion, love, boundless self-denial, and healings, O godly one. Therefore we all hasten to cry to you with voices of prayer:

Rejoice, you who show all the faithful the way to heaven;

Rejoice, for your honey-flowing words fill us with joy.

Rejoice, abundant river from Athos, overflowing with miracles;

Rejoice, radiant star from Greece, lighting the path for the faithful.

Rejoice, continual intercession for us before the Maiden of God;

Rejoice, advocacy for those devoted to the angelic life.

Rejoice, vine most fruitful in virtues;

Rejoice, tear for the world reaching the throne.

Rejoice, new apostle calling all to faith in Christ;

Rejoice, voice of Orthodoxy restoring many.

Rejoice, fruitful tree watered by the Heavenly Mother;

Rejoice, banner of the faithful unfurled throughout the world.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 12

We recognized you as a fountain of God’s grace, father, after your repose, at which the angelic hosts were filled with gladness. Therefore we too, counted worthy to gain an advocate for our salvation, rejoice and cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing of the abundance of your miracles and your patient ascetic labors, holy one, we weave angelic hymns for you from our hearts, reverently honor your memory, and cry:

Rejoice, preacher of hope to the forgotten homeland;

Rejoice, herald of dwelling with the saints on high.

Rejoice, you who foretold a glorious portion for those driven from their lands;

Rejoice, you who showed many the ascent to the heavenly chambers.

Rejoice, you who prophesied the renewal of captive homelands;

Rejoice, admonition to those who think only of earthly things.

Rejoice, blessed with understanding of the signs of the times;

Rejoice, radiance for the world and unceasing proclamation of faith.

Rejoice, good disciple and obedient follower of Abba Tikhon the Russian;

Rejoice, partaker of the ever-living banquet of the Lamb.

Rejoice, you who revealed the promises in the manner of the apostles;

Rejoice, golden radiance of the light of Christ.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 13

O venerable father Paisios, new and fragrant flower that has grown in these latter times, entreat Christ God to save the souls of those who sing on your account: Alleluia.

Read this kontakion three times, then read Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 again.

Ikos 1

You became an imitator of the angels in the chosen portion of the Theotokos, and a most fervent intercessor for us before God, father Paisios; therefore we bless you thus:

Rejoice, praise of Saint Arsenios;

Rejoice, renowned splendor of Athos.

Rejoice, image of heavenly life;

Rejoice, shoot of Asia Minor.

Rejoice, always praised among the people of Farasa;

Rejoice, rule for those living the monastic life.

Rejoice, great guardian of the Orthodox faith;

Rejoice, enlightener of the sheep of the Church.

Rejoice, divine branch of Cappadocia;

Rejoice, fragrant myrrh of Greece.

Rejoice, earthly angel, messenger on earth;

Rejoice, heavenly man dwelling in heaven.

Rejoice, venerable Paisios, wondrous consoler of the people of God.

Kontakion 1

Prayer

O most wondrous and fragrant blossom of the Holy Mountain of Athos and consolation of Orthodox people, venerable father Paisios!

Having received holy Baptism from the hand of Saint Arsenios, you became a true imitator of his love and ascetic labors. Having journeyed in infancy from Farasa to the land of Greece, you preserved to the end of your life the struggle of spiritual pilgrimage, clinging to nothing vain. Loving fasting, prayer, spiritual reading, and vigil from your youth, you displayed profound spiritual labors in the monastic life. Having worthily served your homeland as a soldier and not feared death on the battlefield, you entered the army of the Heavenly King, following firmly and fearlessly the path of salvation and spiritual growth.

While still a boy, through strong prayer you put to shame the demon of unbelief and doubt and were granted a wondrous vision of the Savior; afterward you acquired the gift of healing souls that had gone astray.

Having borne many sorrows and grave illnesses with all patience, you gave wise instruction and wondrous healing to all who came to you. For your word was living and effective for guidance and consolation.

Therefore we pray to you, all-blessed father Paisios! Now also, through your prayers acceptable to God, grant our suffering souls consolation and guidance toward true repentance, patience in prayer and labor, peace and sincere love, and in all things a vigilant and joyful life in Christ. Heal the deep wounds of those who suffer by the wondrous anointing of divine grace, that through God’s mercy they may rise and labor for the glory of the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Ask for our country peace, prosperity, and an increase of faith, that Orthodox people may always glorify God and the Most Pure Theotokos through your prayers and those of all the saints! Amen.