Akathist Hymn to the Nativity of Christ
Ed. by
Deacon Mark Koscinski CPA D.Litt.
Start with the usual beginning prayers: Heavenly King….Holy God, etc.
Kontakion I
O Christ our God, Who chose the most pure Virgin from among all generations and was born of her in the flesh, we Your servants offer hymns of thanksgiving to You. As You are possessed of ineffable loving kindness, O Master, from all manner of misfortunes free us who cry:
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Ikos I
A multitude of angels assembled in Bethlehem to behold the unapproachable Nativity; and seeing their Creator lying in the manger as a babe, they were filled with awe. And offering homage with fear, they honored the godliness of Him Who was born and of her who bore Him, chanting such things as these:
Glory to You, O Son of God, Who was begotten of the Father before time began!
Glory to You Who with the Father and the Spirit create all things!
Glory to You Who saves the perishing!
Glory to You Who condescend even to assume the form of a servant!
Glory to You Who was ineffably born of the Virgin!
Glory to You Who searches for the lost!
Glory to You, O Savior of the perishing!
Glory to You Who has demolished the wall of separation!
Glory to You Who again has opened paradise, which was shut by disobedience!
Glory to You Who ineffably loves the human race!
Glory to You Who shows the cave to be heaven on earth!
Glory to You Who has shown the Virgin, who gave You birth, to be the throne of the cherubim!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion II
Seeing that their Master had received flesh from the pure Virgin, the incorporeal angels were filled with awe and said one to another: “This is an all-glorious mystery past understanding!” And marveling at His ineffable condescension, they chanted with fear: Alleluia!
Ikos II
All of noetic creation is filled with awe and with thanksgiving hymns of the mystery of Your nativity, O Master. The hosts of heaven rejoice, chanting: “Glory to God in the highest!” earth and men are filled with gladness, and we unceasingly cry out:
Glory to You, O God, Who is glorified in the highest!
Glory to You Who reveals Yourself to us on earth!
Glory to You Who has reconciled Yourself with us!
Glory to You Who appears to us on earth!
Glory to You Who was ineffably incarnate of the Virgin!
Glory to You Who causes the star to shine forth!
Glory to You Who by it summoned the Magi to worship You!
Glory to You Who mercifully accept their gifts!
Glory to You Who has taught all creation to minister to You!
Glory to You Who has given us the understanding to hymn to You!
Glory to You Who has united Yourself with us!
Glory to You Who Yourself has saved, us!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion III
The God of peace and Father of compassion, Who is mighty in strength, came to earth to save the world which is perishing; and in Bethlehem He is now born as a babe of the Virgin, whom He has shown to be a Mother and Mediatrix of salvation for all who glorify His incarnation and chant: Alleluia!
Ikos III
Having her who gave You birth in an all-pure manner praying unceasingly for us, rejoicing, we hymn the mystery of Your becoming man, O Master; and glorifying Your nativity from the God-pleasing Virgin, we cry:
Glory to You, O Son of God!
Glory to You, O Son of the Virgin!
Glory to You Who upon us has shown forth the abyss of Your love for mankind!
Glory to You Who has ineffably loved us!
Glory to You Who has sought out the lost sheep!
Glory to You Who has told the angels to rejoice in its finding!
Glory to You Who has taken it upon Your shoulders!
Glory to You Who has led it to the Father!
Glory to You Who has united men and angels in a single flock!
Glory to You Who has delivered the world from delusion!
Glory to You Who has shown us great and ineffable mercy!
Glory to You Who loves us more than all other creatures!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion IV
The chaste-minded Joseph, who before had within him a storm of doubting thoughts, now beholds all-glorious things within the divine cave; for even though he beheld as a man Him Who was born of the Virgin, yet he understood from things revealed to him that He is the true God. Therefore, doing homage to His divinity, He chanted with joy: Alleluia!
Ikos IV
The shepherds heard the angel proclaiming to them that the Savior of the world was born in the city of David, and running swiftly, they beheld Him lying in the manger, like an unblemished lamb which had been tended in the womb of the Virgin. She who had given birth to Him was reverently ministering unto Him, and Joseph was standing by with fear. They spoke of what they had been told, and, bowing down before the Newborn, they said:
Glory to You, O Lamb of God, Savior of the world!
Glory to You, O Son of God, Who has revealed to us an ineffable miracle!
Glory to You Who has caused us to hear the song of angels!
Glory to You Who has taught us to glorify You with them!
Glory to You Who has moved angels and men to hymn to You!
Glory to You Who has brought joy to earth and heaven!
Glory to You in Whom those in heaven rejoice with those on earth!
Glory to You, for by You are those on earth united with those in heaven!
Glory to You Who has shown the power of the devil to be impotent!
Glory to You Who has delivered us from His tyranny!
Glory to You, O ineffable joy of those who believe in You!
Glory to You, O unspeakable delight of those who love You!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion V
Beholding the divinely guided star which pointed beforehand to the nativity of Christ, the Magi observed it; and by its guidance they reached the Unapproachable One and beheld Him Who is invisible. And they rejoice, crying out to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos V
The Persian kings, seeing the King of kings sitting on the arm of the Virgin as upon the throne of the cherubim, and understanding Him to be the Master, even though He had assumed the form of a servant, hastened to offer Him gifts—gold, as to the King of all; frankincense, as to God; and myrrh, as to One immortal;—and making obeisance, they chanted:
Glory to You Who has shone forth light upon all!
Glory to You Who by a star has summoned us to do You homage!
Glory to You Who reproved the malice of cruel Herod!
Glory to You Who shows his plotting to be in vain!
Glory to You Who has delivered us from his deception!
Glory to You Who has taught us to worship You, the Sun of righteousness!
Glory to You Who has enlightened all with the light of understanding!
Glory to You Who by Your nativity has abolished the delusion of polytheism!
Glory to You Who has utterly laid low the dominion of the enemy!
Glory to You Who has taught us to worship You with the Father and the Spirit!
Glory to You Who has crushed the head of the serpent who beguiled us!
Glory to You Who has delivered us from everlasting death!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion VI
Fulfilling the prophecies concerning You, which were uttered by the God-bearing heralds, You have revealed Yourself on earth, O Savior, being born now of the pure Virgin in a wretched cave; and though rich, You willingly impoverish Yourself for our sake, that You might enrich men, who chant to You with faith: Alleluia!
Ikos VI
You shine forth from the Virgin, Your Mother who knew not man, O Jesus, shining like the sun and driving away the darkness of falsehood; for all the demons trembled, unable to withstand Your might, and Hades, beholding the miracle, was filled with terror. And we cry out to You in thanksgiving: Glory to You, O Savior of men!
Glory to You, O Destroyer of the demons!
Glory to You Who by Your birth fills the prince of lies with dread!
Glory to You Who has abolished the delusion of the idols!
Glory to You Who has illumined all with the light of the knowledge of God!
Glory to You Who has driven away the darkness of ignorance!
Glory to You, O Rock Who has poured forth the water of salvation upon all!
Glory to You Who has quenched the thirst of Adam and David!
Glory to You Who like the sun has enlightened all by Your nativity!
Glory to You Who has made the whole world radiant with beams of grace!
Glory to You Who has shown us the Promised Land!
Glory to You Who has delivered us from the curse of our whole race!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion VII
Desiring to reveal to us the mystery hidden from before time began, You show the mystery to servants from all creation, O Savior: to Gabriel from among the angels, to the Virgin from among men, to the star from among the heavens, and from an earth to the cave where-in it was Your good pleasure to be born. Wherefore, marveling at Your ineffable wisdom, we cry out: Alleluia!
Ikos VII
The Creator of all showed forth a new creation, revealing Himself in flesh, springing forth from a seedless womb, which He preserved incorrupt; and He showed it to be the mediation of salvation for those who chant:
Glory to You, O Son of God, Who has shown her who bore You to be a Mother of loving kindness!
Glory to You Who preserved her a virgin even after she gave birth!
Glory to You Who came to save Adam!
Glory to You Who has comforted the tears of Eve!
Glory to You Who came to save all men!
Glory to You Who base shone forth an image of the resurrection!
Glory to You Who has torn asunder the record of our sins!
Glory to You Who has given us a model of humility!
Glory to You Who impoverished Yourself for our sake!
Glory to You Who has enriched us with Your poverty!
Glory to You Who have clothed us in the raiment of salvation!
Glory to You Who has delighted us by Your love!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion VIII
Seeing Your strange and all-glorious nativity which took place in the cave, let us all the more spurn the vanities of the world, for the divine Mind appeared on earth as a humble man, that He might lead up to the heavens those who cry out to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos VIII
You are all desire, all delight for those who love You and glorify Your divine condescension, O Christ God; for, having been born of the pure Virgin on earth, You lead up into the heavens those who chant:
Glory to You, O Son of God, Who was born on earth!
Glory to You Who was ineffably incarnate of the Virgin!
Glory to You Who has shown Yourself to us!
Glory to You Who summoned to You those afar!
Glory to You, our ineffable Joy!
Glory to You, O delight of our hearts!
Glory to You Who in Your nativity has shone forth the light of salvation!
Glory to You Who shed tears for our salvation!
Glory to You Who has thereby quenched the flame of our passions!
Glory to You Who cleansed us of the defilement of sin!
Glory to You Who has forgiven our transgression!
Glory to You Who has delivered us from corruption!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion IX
No mind or understanding of angels or men is able to comprehend the mystery of Your unapproachable nativity, O Master; yet You accept our love and faith, O good Master, and save us who chant unto You: Alleluia!
Ikos IX
We see the most eloquent of orators mute as fish when confronted by Your incarnation, O Master; for they are at a loss how, being perfect God, You appear as a perfect man, and how You was born of the Virgin who knew not wedlock. But we, refusing to delve into these mysteries, glorify You with faith alone, crying:
Glory to You, O hypostatic Wisdom of God!
Glory to You, O ineffable Joy of all!
Glory to You Who show those lacking in wisdom to be lovers of wisdom!
Glory to You Who has given understanding even to the simple!
Glory to You Who put to shame those who tested You!
Glory to You Who breaks the webs of all who devise myths!
Glory to You Who has shone forth the light of divine knowledge upon all!
Glory to You Who pours forth wisdom in Your works!
Glory to You Who has enlightened the minds of many!
Glory to You Who has shown us the path to salvation!
Glory to You, O unfathomable abyss of loving kindness!
Glory to You, O depth of compassion and love for mankind!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion X
Desiring to save the world which is perishing, the Adorner of all is born of the Virgin as a babe; He Who loosens the intricate bonds of transgressions is wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger; and being the Son of God, He becomes the Son of the Virgin, and wisely arranged all things, that He might save those who chant unto Him: Alleluia!
Ikos X
Herod, the enemy of God, showed himself to be a pillar and wall of God-opposing malice and a spawn of great iniquity, who tried to slay Him Who gives life unto all, and at his command innocent babes were reaped by the sword, like unripe grain; wherefore, having driven all malice from our hearts, let us glorify Him Who came to save us, crying:
Glory to You Who shows Herod’s intention to be in vain!
Glory to You Who has numbered with the angels the babes he slew!
Glory to You, O Destroyer of malice!
Glory to You, O Instructor in humility and Lover of mortals!
Glory to You Who has broken the horn of pride!
Glory to You Who has shone the light of righteousness upon all!
Glory to You Who Yourself has taught meekness and humility to all!
Glory to You Who has brought all to acknowledge You!
Glory to You Who by Your nativity sanctified the womb of her who bore You!
Glory to You Who accepts the shepherds’ wonder and the gifts of the Magi!
Glory to You Who teaches even irrational creatures to serve You!
Glory to You Who has sanctified all creation!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion XI
All praise of Your incarnation for our sake falls short, and for those who wish to offer fitting praise, silence is better. For even were we to offer You hymns as numerous as the sands of the sea, O all-holy King, we would accomplish nothing that is proper; therefore, we chant with fear: Alleluia!
Ikos XI
They who sat in darkness and the shadow of death, beholding You, the never-waning Light Who shone forth from the Virgin, were illumined by the fire of Your divinity, and hymned You, the Bestower of wisdom and understanding, crying out such things as these:
Glory to You, O Son of God, ineffable Light!
Glory to You, O Sun of righteousness, Who has enlightened all by Your nativity!
Glory to You Who has shone forth most radiant enlightenment!
Glory to You Who has poured forth upon us a most torrential river of grace!
Glory to You Who has richly provided the water of salvation as drink!
Glory to You Who has shown to those who love You that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light!
Glory to You Who has lifted from us the weight of sin!
Glory to You Who has delivered us from slavery to the enemy!
Glory to You Who has filled all with gladness by Your appearance on earth!
Glory to You Who has given us consolation through rebirth!
Glory to You Who has shown Yourself to us as our utmost Desire!
Glory to You Who has reconciled with the Father us who are His enemies!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion XII
O our Savior, Who come to give grace unto all and to loosen the debts of men by Your incarnation, loose also our debts and rend asunder the record of our sins, that we may glorify Your ineffable nativity and chant without ceasing: Alleluia!
Ikos XII
Hymning Your becoming man, we praise, bless and worship You, O our Savior; and we believe that You are the Lord and God Who saves all who hope on You, who glorify Your ineffable nativity from the Virgin, and chant such things as these:
Glory to You, O Son of God, Who are worshiped in the highest with the Father and the Spirit!
Glory to You Who are glorified by all the ranks of heaven and earth!
Glory to You Who has disclosed the mystery hidden from before time began!
Glory to You Who has revealed Your ineffable love for us!
Glory to You, O Adorner of all creation!
Glory to You, O our most merciful Savior!
Glory to You Who makes firm the scepters of those who reign with piety on the earth!
Glory to You Who adorns devout hierarchs and priests with wisdom and majesty!
Glory to You, O foundation and confirmation of the Church!
Glory to You, O salvation and adornment of all the faithful!
Glory to You, O Physician and Healer of our bodies!
Glory to You, O Adorner and Savior of our souls!
O Jesus, Son of God, Who became incarnate for our sake, glory to You!
Kontakion XIII
Jesus all-sweet and most compassionate, our Savior, Creator and Master! Accept this, our meager supplication, thanksgiving and glorification, as You accept the gifts and worship of the Magi; and preserve us, Your servants, from all perils. Grant us the forgiveness of sins, and from everlasting torment deliver those who with faith glorify Your nativity from the pure Virgin, and who cry out to You: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Kontakion is recited three times. Ikos I and Kontakion I are repeated.
Prayer to Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ On the Day of His Holy Nativity
O great and unapproachable God, unoriginate Father, Son Who are equally without beginning, and Spirit Who are equally eternal, Who gives being to things which were not in existence, Who saves the perishing, Who gives life to the dead, Who does what You will among the hosts of heaven and in Your earthly habitation, and directs all according to Your wondrous providence! Incline Your ear from the heights of Your holiness, and accept from us, Your lowly and unworthy servants, to whom You have revealed Your great salvation from all misfortunes and plague, these grateful supplications, confessions and glorifications, which we offer to You with heart and mouth. You have not dealt with us according to our iniquities, O Lord, neither have You rewarded us according to our sins. You said of old to the children of Israel that if they would not act to keep Your words and do all Your commandments, You would bring against them a nation of unashamed countenance, which would assail them in their cities until the walls thereof were broken. And we have come to realize that this dread sentence has been directed against us and our fathers as well. For, failing to fear Your threat and paying no heed to Your loving-kindness, we have forsaken the path of Your righteousness and walked in the will of our own hearts, and have made no attempt to hold You, the God of men’s understanding and hearts, in our mind. Moreover, treating the traditions of our fathers as of no import, we have abandoned You for others. For these reasons, grievous ill fortune overtook us, as it did the children of Israel of old, and because we paid no heed to their lessons, mindless and savage-minded foes have come against us. But do You, O compassionate and merciful Lord God, Who are long-suffering, greatly merciful and true, Who maintains justice and works mercy among the Thousand, Who takes away iniquities, injustices and sins, having abandoned us for a little time, have mercy upon us according to Your great mercy, and having visited our unrighteousness with the rod, as a compassionate father doth his children, so do You spare us. For You have looked down on our tribulation, and upon our entreaties which, trusting not in our own righteousness, but upon Your many compassions, we cast at Your feet O Lord; and You have shown us the back of our ungodly adversaries, for, melting away before the face of Your Christ, Your enemies have vanished like smoke, and those who love You shine forth like the rising of the sun in their power. We have seen, O Lord, we have seen, and in us all nations have seen, that You are God, and there is none other besides You. You slay and make to live, You smite and heal, and there is no one who can deliver from Your hand. Therefore, our heart has been established in our Lord, our horn has been lifted up in our God, and we have been gladdened in Your salvation. We thank You, O Lord, that, chastising us, You have chastened us but a little, lest You give us over utterly unto death. Grant, O Lord, that we may hold the memory of this, Your glorious visitation, firmly and continually within us, that made steadfast in You by filial fear, faith and love, and protected by Your might, we may ever, as we do today, hymn and glorify Your holy name. Confirm Your blessing also upon our civil authorities, that Your good Spirit may continually rest upon them. In our land grant holiness unto pastors, judgment and justice to those who govern, peace and tranquility to the people, efficacy to the laws and advancement to the Faith. O Lord of all loving kindness, extend Your mercy unto those who know You; and reveal Yourself even unto those who seek You not; turn the hearts even of our enemies unto You; and make Yourself known to all nations and peoples in Your true Christ: that from the rising of the sun, even unto the setting thereof, all nations may with one heart cry out to You with a voice of rejoicing: Glory to You, the God and Savior of all, unto the ages of ages! Amen.
Conclude with the usual ending prayers.
I am indebted to:http://akathistcollections.blogspot.com/2011/11/akathist-hymn-to-nativity-of-christ.html, from which this was adopted. This Akathist has not been reviewed by any ecclesiastical authorities. It is purely for private devotion. Any errors are solely the responsibility of the editor
Mark Koscinski CPA D.Litt. 