Akathist to Saint Seraphim of Sarov | Eastern Orthodox Prayerbook and Psalter

Kontakion 1

O chosen wonderworker and wondrous servant of Christ, our speedy helper and intercessor, venerable Father Seraphim! Glorifying the Lord Who hath glorified thee, we offer thee songs of praise. Since thou hast great boldness before the Lord, deliver us from all afflictions, who cry unto thee:

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Ikos 1

The Creator of Angels chose thee from the beginning, that thou mightest glorify by thy life the most wondrous name of the Holy Trinity; for thou didst truly appear as an angel on earth and a seraph in the flesh; like a most bright ray of the Eternal Sun of Righteousness, thy life shone forth. We therefore, beholding thy most glorious labors, with reverence and joy cry unto thee:

Rejoice, rule of faith and piety;

rejoice, image of meekness and humility.

Rejoice, most glorious praise of the faithful;

rejoice, most quiet consolation of the sorrowful.

Rejoice, beloved commendation of monastics;

rejoice, wondrous help of those who live in the world.

Rejoice, glory and protection of the Russian land;

rejoice, sacred adornment of the province of Tambov.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 2

Beholding thy warm love for the monastic life, O venerable Father Seraphim, thy mother recognized the holy will of the Lord concerning thee, and offering thee to God as a perfect gift, she blessed thee on the narrow monastic path with her holy cross, which thou didst wear upon thy breast until the end of thy life, signifying thy great love for Christ our God Who was crucified for us, to Whom we all with compunction cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Seeking to understand the incomprehensible wisdom, thou didst hasten, O holy one, to the Sarov wilderness to dwell, and having settled there, thou didst unceasingly raise thy soul to God. Therefore we praise thee thus:

Rejoice, beloved son of pious parents;

rejoice, blessed fruit of maternal prayers.

Rejoice, thou who in childhood didst fall from a high bell-tower and wast preserved unharmed;

rejoice, thou who from youth wast moved to compunction by the Cherubic Hymn.

Rejoice, zealous lover of the wilderness life from thy youth;

rejoice, defender of silence and meekness.

Rejoice, keeper of virginity and chastity;

rejoice, teacher of humble-mindedness and patience.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 3

The power of the Most High from thy youth strengthened thee for wilderness labors, venerable Father Seraphim, and by the Divine Spirit didst thou shine on the narrow path of obedience and silence, to Whom we cry with compunction: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having care for the salvation of thy soul, thou didst leave the world and thy homeland, venerable Father Seraphim, and didst enter the Sarov wilderness as a quiet haven. Therefore we cry unto thee:

Rejoice, wondrous sprout of the Sarov wilderness;

rejoice, blessing of the Kiev-Caves fathers.

Rejoice, co-dweller with the venerable fathers of Sarov;

rejoice, industrious worker of obedience.

Rejoice, image of perfect renunciation of the world;

rejoice, rule of unceasing prayer to God.

Rejoice, thou who by obedience and meekness didst subject the flesh to the spirit;

rejoice, thou who by fasting and vigil didst mortify the passions.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 4

Thou didst endure a storm of fierce enemy assaults, venerable Father Seraphim, standing on a rock for a thousand days and nights in prayer before God; and strengthened by Divine power, thou didst put to shame the enemy of salvation, joyfully crying to our Savior God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Having heard of thy holy life, venerable Father Seraphim, the pastor of the Church called thee to the monastery for service at the altar of the Lord, and there in the sacred rank thou didst reverently serve the Life-Giving Trinity. Therefore we cry unto thee:

Rejoice, earthly angel in the flesh;

rejoice, heavenly citizen in this temporal life.

Rejoice, thou who standest before the throne of God with fear;

rejoice, thou who prayest fervently for us unworthy ones.

Rejoice, partaker of Divine grace;

rejoice, most skilled celebrant of the Divine Mysteries.

Rejoice, reverent servant of the altar of the Lord;

rejoice, confirmation of the monastic life.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 5

The Lord revealed thee as a divinely flowing star to all who run to thee, venerable Father Seraphim; for dwelling in thy wilderness recluse, thou didst piously purify thy soul and didst guide to salvation the faithful who sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Beholding thy great labors and struggles, venerable Father Seraphim, the fathers of Sarov marveled at such patience of thine and with love cried out to thee thus:

Rejoice, cross-bearing follower of Christ;

rejoice, lover of Christ our God Who was crucified for us.

Rejoice, thou who didst stand in prayer upon a rock for a thousand days and nights;

rejoice, thou who didst offer prayers on bended knees to the Lord.

Rejoice, thou who didst thankfully undertake wilderness labors;

rejoice, thou who didst endure afflictions and temptations with patience.

Rejoice, vanquisher of the enemy of salvation;

rejoice, image of patience and meekness.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 6

A preacher of piety and saving silence didst thou appear, venerable Father Seraphim; for dwelling in thy wilderness recluse, thou didst raise thy spirit by prayers to God and didst instruct in salvation the faithful who sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Thou didst shine forth as a most bright light in the Sarov wilderness, venerable Father Seraphim; for having purified thy spirit by silence and fasting, thou didst become a dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit. Therefore we cry unto thee with love thus:

Rejoice, joy and praise of wilderness fathers;

rejoice, co-sharer with the venerable Antonius and Theodosius.

Rejoice, like-minded companion of venerable Sergius of Radonezh;

rejoice, adornment of the venerable fathers of Sarov.

Rejoice, lover of silence and seclusion;

rejoice, guardian of wilderness stillness.

Rejoice, source of unceasing divine compunction;

rejoice, abundant vessel of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 7

Desiring to manifest His mercy in thee, venerable Father Seraphim, the Lord Who loveth mankind set thee as a light for all who are sorrowful and heavy laden, that thou mightest comfort them and direct to salvation the faithful who sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

All people recognized thee as a new wonderworker and servant of God, venerable Father Seraphim; for coming out of seclusion, thou didst accept with love all who came to thee, granting them comfort and healing. Therefore we cry unto thee with faith thus:

Rejoice, reliable defender of those who run to thee;

rejoice, most gentle comforter of those who love thee.

Rejoice, speedy helper in afflictions and trials;

rejoice, gracious healer of the sick and infirm.

Rejoice, powerful intercessor of sorrowing souls;

rejoice, protector of widows and orphans.

Rejoice, quick helper of repentant sinners;

rejoice, firm hope of all the faithful.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 8

A strange and most glorious wonder is shown to those who come to thee, venerable Father Seraphim; for by the word of thy grace thou didst heal the sick, foresee the future, and reveal the secrets of hearts, teaching those who sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Thou wast wholly in the highest, yet thou didst not leave earthly men, venerable Father Seraphim; for filled with the love of Christ, thou didst call all to repentance and salvation. Therefore we cry unto thee thus:

Rejoice, inhabitant of the heavenly homeland;

rejoice, gracious guide of the earthly path.

Rejoice, preacher of divine love for our neighbors;

rejoice, teacher of humility and meekness.

Rejoice, joyful consolation of sorrowing souls;

rejoice, speedy help of those who run to thee.

Rejoice, gracious healing of sick souls and bodies;

rejoice, fervent intercessor for the salvation of our souls.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 9

Every angelic nature marveled at the greatness of thy struggles, venerable Father Seraphim; for being in the flesh, thou didst overcome the wiles of the enemy and didst become a companion of the angels, who sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Orators of many words cannot worthily praise thy labors and struggles, venerable Father Seraphim; for illuminated by the grace of the Holy Spirit, thou didst become a teacher of faith and piety. Therefore we cry unto thee with love thus:

Rejoice, thou who art filled with Divine Wisdom;

rejoice, thou who art filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, beloved of the meek and humble in heart;

rejoice, conqueror of sinful passions.

Rejoice, advocate before the Lord for the salvation of our souls;

rejoice, guide of the faithful unto salvation.

Rejoice, firm defense of the Orthodox faith;

rejoice, glory and praise of the Church of Christ.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 10

Desiring to save thy soul, venerable Father Seraphim, thou didst dwell in the Sarov wilderness in fasting and unceasing prayer, meditating on the law of the Lord day and night, and wast deemed worthy of beholding heavenly mysteries, singing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

A wall and protection art thou to all who run to thee with faith, venerable Father Seraphim; for standing before the Throne of God, thou prayest for the salvation of our souls. Therefore we cry unto thee thus:

Rejoice, speedy consolation of the sorrowful;

rejoice, gracious strengthening of the weak.

Rejoice, quick helper of those in distress;

rejoice, protector of the poor and needy.

Rejoice, speedy helper of those who love thee;

rejoice, firm hope of the Orthodox.

Rejoice, advocate before the Lord for the salvation of our souls;

rejoice, glory and adornment of the Church of Christ.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 11

We offer thee all-compunctious singing, venerable Father Seraphim, glorifying thy great wonders and benefits brought to all the faithful, who sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

A light-receiving beacon wast thou in thy earthly life, O divinely blessed Father, and after thy death thou didst shine forth as a radiant star of the Russian land; for from thy precious relics thou dost pour out streams of wonders upon all who run to thee with faith and love. Therefore, as to our fervent intercessor and wonderworker, we cry unto thee thus:

Rejoice, glorified by the Lord with a multitude of wonders;

rejoice, thou who hast shone upon the whole world with thy love.

Rejoice, faithful follower of the love of Christ;

rejoice, consolation to all who require thy help.

Rejoice, inexhaustible source of miracles;

rejoice, healer of the sick and infirm.

Rejoice, unquenchable well-spring of healing waters;

rejoice, for thou hast embraced all the ends of our land with thy love.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 12

All people recognized the grace given to thee by God, venerable Father Seraphim, beholding the multitude of wonders and healings wrought by thee, and joyfully singing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing thy glorification, we bless thee, venerable one, as a mighty intercessor for us before the Lord, our comforter and defender, and with love we cry unto thee thus:

Rejoice, praise of the Orthodox Church;

rejoice, shield and protection of our homeland.

Rejoice, guide who directest all to heaven;

rejoice, our defender and protector.

Rejoice, thou who by the power of God didst perform many wonders;

rejoice, thou who by thy garment didst heal many sick.

Rejoice, conqueror of all the wiles of the devil;

rejoice, thou who didst tame wild beasts by thy meekness.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 13

O wondrous servant and great wonderworker, venerable Father Seraphim! Accept this our small offering, brought in praise of thee, and standing now before the Throne of the King of kings, our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for us all, that we may find His mercy on the Day of Judgment, joyfully singing to Him: Alleluia.

(This Kontakion is read three times, then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read again.)

Ikos 1

Rejoice, rule of faith and piety;

rejoice, image of meekness and humility.

Rejoice, most glorious praise of the faithful;

rejoice, most quiet consolation of the sorrowful.

Rejoice, beloved commendation of monastics;

rejoice, wondrous help of those who live in the world.

Rejoice, glory and protection of the Russian land;

rejoice, sacred adornment of the province of Tambov.

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kontakion 1

Rejoice, venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

A Prayer to Saint Seraphim of Sarov

O most wondrous Father Seraphim, thou mighty wonderworker of Sarov, and helper of all who flee to thee. During the days of thy earthly life, no man went away from thee empty and without comfort, but the sight of thy face was sweet and the sound of thy words was full of welcome. And moreover, the gift of healing, the gift of curing sick souls, the gift of spiritual second sight, bountifully appeared in thee. And when God called thee away from thy earthly labors to the heavenly resting place, thy love in no way left us, and it is not possible to count thy wonders that increased like the stars in heaven. For lo, throughout all the ends of our land, thou dost appear to the people of God and giveth them healing. Hence, we also cry aloud to thee: O most quiet and meek saint who art pleasing to God and who art a bold supplicant before Him, never turning away them that call upon thee, offer up thy powerful prayer for us to the Lord of hosts, that He strengthen Orthodox people and give us all what is expedient for this life, and profitable for the salvation of our souls, that He protect us from all sinful falls and teach us true repentance in which to enter, without stumbling, into the heavenly kingdom, where thou dost now shine in the glory that never sets, that we may, with all the saints there, sing the praises of the Trinity the Origin of Life, unto the ages of ages, Amen.