The Akathist to our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ (Slavonic: Иисусу Сладчайшему; Ukrainian: Акафіст Ісусу Найсолодшому) is the second great akathist of the Eastern Church after the classic hymn to the Theotokos. It is a penitential hymn of praise to the Name of Jesus: 13 kontakia and 12 oikoi, each oikos ending with the refrain “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.” Below: its Athonite origin in the 13th–14th centuries, when and how to read it, the full canonical English text, and the prayer after the akathist. [1][2][3]
What this akathist is, and how it differs
The classic Akathist to the Theotokos is built on the salutations “Rejoice.” The Akathist to Sweetest Jesus keeps the same frame (kontakion — oikos — kontakion) but instead of chairetismoi it weaves a wreath of the Names of Christ: “Jesus most sweet… Jesus, Bread of Life… Jesus, Sun of Righteousness…” The refrain of the oikoi is the Jesus Prayer unfolded. [2][4]
Metropolitan Philaret (Drozdov) explained why the hymn was needed: the Church saw that it would be unfitting if there were no hymn of equal majesty to the glory of Christ the Saviour as the Akathist to the Mother of God; therefore an akathist to the Lord Jesus was composed, “filled with the spirit of repentance, prayer, love and compunction.” [2]
The title “Sweetest” is not sentimentality. In the language of the hesychasts the “sweetness” of the Name of Jesus is an experience: the Name is not a dead sound but the energy and intelligible manifestation of God. The hymn turns on Gospel scenes of mercy (the widow of Nain, Peter on the water, the blind man, Zacchaeus, Paul on the road to Damascus, Thomas) and on Philippians 2:9–11: the Name of Jesus “above every name.” [2][5]
History and authorship
Centuries of silence, then a warning
For almost seven or eight centuries after the Great Akathist to the Theotokos the Church did not compose “new akathists.” Metropolitan Michael Choniates (Akominatos) of Athens (late 12th – early 13th century) wrote that the so-called Akathist hymn is offered only once a year, to the Mother of God alone, and that to imitate it “for the memory of any of the saints” would be an inadmissible novelty. [2]
The Akathist to Jesus is therefore one of the first hymns that deliberately repeated the form of the Great Akathist, once that silence ended.
Athos, 13th–14th centuries
The oldest Greek copies date from the 13th century; the Church Slavonic translation appears in the 14th century. The manuscripts come from Athonite monastery libraries. The content (the Jesus Prayer, repentance, the “sweetness” of the Name) points to the circles in which, at the end of the 13th and the beginning of the 14th century, Sts. Nikephoros the Hesychast and Gregory of Sinai revived the practice of hesychia. [1][2]
The hymn is sometimes ascribed to the Studite monk Theoktistos (9th century) because of the kinship of his canons to Jesus Christ. Manuscript tradition (copies four centuries later) and Choniates’ witness that in the 12th century imitations of the Akathist did not yet exist both speak against that ascription. The author remains unknown. [2]
In 1525 Francis Skaryna printed in Vilnius, in Cyrillic, the Akathist to the Theotokos and the Akathist to Jesus Christ — one of the first printed Slavic akathist books. [6]
The prayers after the akathist
Patriarch Philotheos Kokkinos (14th century) is credited with prayers traditionally read after this akathist: “We have sinned, we have been lawless…” and the prayer to the Theotokos “Undefiled, unblemished, incorrupt…” The hymn itself is older than these additions. [1][2]
When and how to read it
- Any day in the home rule; especially on Friday (the day of the Cross and the Passion) and before Communion. Unlike the Saturday of the Akathist, this hymn has no fixed day in the Triodion. [1][7]
- Standing, if health allows; the infirm may sit. [7]
- Entirely, in one sitting (about 25–35 minutes). Kontakion 13 is read three times, then Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 again. [4][8]
- A layperson without a priest begins: “Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen,” then O Heavenly King, the Trisagion, Our Father. [7]
- An akathist does not replace the Liturgy or the Psalter. Archimandrite Cyprian (Kern) warned that substituting akathists for the kathismata of the Psalter is “violence against the typikon.” [1]
Full text of the Akathist in English
Translation used in the Orthodox English tradition (Jordanville / parish recension). [5][8]
Kontakion 1
Champion Leader and Lord, Vanquisher of hell, I, Thy creature and servant, offer Thee songs of praise, for Thou hast delivered me from eternal death. But as Thou hast unutterable loving-kindness, free me from every danger, as I cry: Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Oikos 1
Creator of Angels and Lord of Hosts! As of old Thou didst open ear and tongue to the deaf and dumb, likewise open now my perplexed mind and tongue to the praise of Thy most holy Name, that I may cry to Thee:
Jesus, most wonderful, Angels’ astonishment!
Jesus, most powerful, Forefathers’ deliverance!
Jesus, most sweet, Patriarchs’ exaltation!
Jesus, most glorious, Kings’ stronghold!
Jesus, most beloved, Prophets’ fulfilment!
Jesus, most marvellous, Martyrs’ strength!
Jesus, most peaceful, Monks’ joy!
Jesus, most gracious, Presbyters’ sweetness!
Jesus, most merciful, Fasters’ abstinence!
Jesus, most honourable, Virgins’ chastity!
Jesus everlasting, Sinners’ salvation!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 2
As when seeing the widow weeping bitterly, O Lord, Thou wast moved with pity, and didst raise her son from the dead as he was being carried to burial, likewise have pity on me, O Lover of men, and raise my soul, deadened by sins, as I cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 2
Seeking to know what passes knowledge, Philip asked: “Lord, show us the Father”; and Thou didst answer him: “Have I been so long with you and yet hast thou not known that I am in the Father and the Father in Me?” Likewise, O Inconceivable One, with fear I cry to Thee:
Jesus, Eternal God!
Jesus, All-powerful King!
Jesus, Long-suffering Master!
Jesus, All-merciful Saviour!
Jesus, my gracious Guardian!
Jesus, cleanse my sins!
Jesus, take away my iniquities!
Jesus, pardon my unrighteousness!
Jesus, my Hope, forsake me not!
Jesus, my Helper, reject me not!
Jesus, my Creator, forget me not!
Jesus, my Shepherd, lose me not!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 3
Thou Who didst endue with power from on high Thy Apostles who tarried in Jerusalem, O Jesus, clothe also me, stripped bare of all good work, with the warmth of Thy Holy Spirit, and grant that with love I may sing to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 3
In the abundance of Thy mercy, O Jesus, Thou hast called publicans and sinners and infidels. Now despise me not who am like them, but as precious myrrh accept this song:
Jesus, Invincible Power!
Jesus, Infinite Mercy!
Jesus, Radiant Beauty!
Jesus, Unspeakable Love!
Jesus, Son of the Living God!
Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner!
Jesus, hear me who was conceived in iniquity!
Jesus, cleanse me who was born in sin!
Jesus, teach me who am worthless!
Jesus, enlighten my darkness!
Jesus, purify me who am unclean!
Jesus, restore me, a prodigal!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 4
Having an interior storm of doubting thoughts, Peter was sinking. But beholding Thee, O Jesus, in the flesh walking on the waters, he confessed Thee to be the true God; and receiving the hand of salvation, he cried: Alleluia!
Oikos 4
When the blind man heard Thee, O Lord, passing by on the way, he cried: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! And Thou didst call him and open his eyes. Likewise enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart with Thy love as I cry to Thee:
Jesus, Creator of those on high!
Jesus, Redeemer of those below!
Jesus, Vanquisher of the powers of hell!
Jesus, Adorner of every creature!
Jesus, Comforter of my soul!
Jesus, Enlightener of my mind!
Jesus, Gladness of my heart!
Jesus, Health of my body!
Jesus, my Saviour, save me!
Jesus, my Light, enlighten me!
Jesus, deliver me from all torments!
Jesus, save me despite my unworthiness!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 5
As of old Thou didst redeem us from the curse of the law by Thy Divinely-shed Blood, O Jesus, likewise rescue me from the snares in which the serpent has entangled us through the passions of the flesh, through lustful suggestions and evil despondency, as we cry to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 5
Seeing the Creator in human form and knowing Him to be their Lord, the Hebrew children sought to please Him with branches, crying: Hosanna! But we offer Thee a song, saying:
Jesus, True God!
Jesus, Son of David!
Jesus, Glorious King!
Jesus, Innocent Lamb!
Jesus, Wonderful Shepherd!
Jesus, Guardian of my infancy!
Jesus, Nourisher of my youth!
Jesus, Praise of my old age!
Jesus, my Hope at death!
Jesus, my Life after death!
Jesus, my Comfort at Thy Judgment!
Jesus, my Desire, let me not then be ashamed.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 6
In fulfilment of the words and message of the inspired Prophets, O Jesus, Thou didst appear on earth, and Thou Who art uncontainable didst dwell with men. Thenceforth, being healed through Thy wounds, we learned to sing: Alleluia!
Oikos 6
When the light of Thy truth dawned on the world, devilish delusion was driven away; for the idols, O our Saviour, have fallen, unable to endure Thy strength. But we who have received salvation cry to Thee:
Jesus, the Truth, dispelling falsehood!
Jesus, the Light above all lights!
Jesus, the King, surpassing all in strength!
Jesus, God, constant in mercy!
Jesus, Bread of Life, fill me who am hungry!
Jesus, Source of Knowledge, refresh me who am thirsty!
Jesus, Garment of Gladness, clothe my nakedness!
Jesus, Veil of Joy, cover my unworthiness!
Jesus, Giver to those who ask, give me sorrow for my sins!
Jesus, Finder of those who seek, find my soul!
Jesus, Opener to those who knock, open my wretched heart!
Jesus, Redeemer of sinners, wash away my sins!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 7
Desiring to unveil the mystery hidden from all ages, Thou wast led as a sheep to the slaughter, O Jesus, and as a lamb before its shearer. But as God Thou didst rise from the dead and didst ascend with glory to Heaven, and along with Thyself Thou didst raise us who cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 7
The Creator has shown us a marvellous work, Who took flesh without seed from a Virgin, rose from the tomb without breaking the seal, and entered bodily the Apostles’ room when the doors were shut. Therefore, marvelling at this we sing:
Jesus, Uncontainable Word!
Jesus, Inscrutable Intelligence!
Jesus, Incomprehensible Power!
Jesus, Inconceivable Wisdom!
Jesus, Undepictable Deity!
Jesus, Boundless Dominion!
Jesus, Invincible Kingdom!
Jesus, Unending Sovereignty!
Jesus, Supreme Strength!
Jesus, Eternal Power!
Jesus, my Creator, have compassion on me!
Jesus, my Saviour, save me!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 8
Seeing God wondrously incarnate, let us shun the vain world and set our mind on things divine; for God descended to earth to raise to Heaven us who cry to Him: Alleluia!
Oikos 8
Being both below and above, Thou didst never falter, O Thou immeasurable One, when Thou didst voluntarily suffer for us, and by Thy death our death didst put to death, and by Thy Resurrection didst grant life to those who sing:
Jesus, Sweetness of the heart!
Jesus, Strength of the body!
Jesus, Purity of the soul!
Jesus, Brightness of the mind!
Jesus, Gladness of the conscience!
Jesus, Sure Hope!
Jesus, Memory Eternal!
Jesus, High Praise!
Jesus, my most exalted Glory!
Jesus, my Desire, reject me not!
Jesus, my Shepherd, recover me!
Jesus, my Saviour, save me!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 9
The Angelic Hosts in Heaven glorify unceasingly Thy most holy Name, O Jesus, crying: Holy, Holy, Holy! But we sinners on earth, with our frail voices cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 9
We see most eloquent orators voiceless as fish when they must speak of Thee, O Jesus our Saviour. For it is beyond their power to tell how Thou art both perfect man and immutable God at the same time. But we, marvelling at this Mystery, cry faithfully:
Jesus, Eternal God!
Jesus, King of Kings!
Jesus, Lord of Lords!
Jesus, Judge of the living and the dead!
Jesus, Hope of the hopeless!
Jesus, Comforter of the mournful!
Jesus, Glory of the poor!
Jesus, condemn me not according to my deeds!
Jesus, cleanse me according to Thy mercy!
Jesus, take from me despondency!
Jesus, enlighten the thoughts of my heart!
Jesus, make me ever mindful of death!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 10
Wishing to save the world, O Sunrise of the East, Thou didst come to the dark Occident of our nature, and didst humble Thyself even to the point of death. Therefore Thy Name is exalted above every name, and from all the tribes of earth and heaven Thou dost hear: Alleluia!
Oikos 10
King Eternal, Comforter, true Christ! Cleanse us from every stain as Thou didst cleanse the Ten Lepers, and heal us as Thou didst heal the greedy soul of Zacchaeus the publican, that we may cry to Thee with compunction:
Jesus, Treasurer Incorruptible!
Jesus, Unfailing Wealth!
Jesus, Strong Food!
Jesus, Inexhaustible Drink!
Jesus, Garment of the poor!
Jesus, Defender of widows!
Jesus, Protector of orphans!
Jesus, Helper of toilers!
Jesus, Guide of pilgrims!
Jesus, Pilot of voyagers!
Jesus, Calmer of tempests!
Jesus, raise me who am fallen!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 11
Tenderest songs I, though unworthy, offer to Thee, and like the woman of Canaan I cry to Thee: O Jesus, have mercy on me! For it is not my daughter, but my flesh violently possessed with passions and burning with fury. So grant healing to me who cry to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 11
Having previously persecuted Thee Who art the Light that enlightens those in the darkness of ignorance, Paul experienced the power of the voice of divine enlightenment. Likewise enlighten the dark eye of my soul, as I cry:
Jesus, my All-powerful King!
Jesus, my Almighty God!
Jesus, my Immortal Lord!
Jesus, my most glorious Creator!
Jesus, my most kind Teacher!
Jesus, my most compassionate Shepherd!
Jesus, my most gracious Master!
Jesus, my most merciful Saviour!
Jesus, enlighten my senses darkened by passions!
Jesus, heal my body scabbed with 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
Grant me Thy grace, O Jesus, Absolver of all debts, and receive me who repent, as Thou didst receive Peter who denied Thee, and call me who am downcast, as of old Thou didst call Paul who persecuted Thee, and hear me crying to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 12
Praising Thy Incarnation, we all glorify Thee and, with Thomas, we believe that Thou art our Lord and God, sitting with the Father and coming to judge the living and the dead. Grant that then I may stand on Thy right hand, who now cry:
Jesus, Eternal King, have mercy on me!
Jesus, sweet-scented Flower, make me fragrant!
Jesus, beloved Warmth, make me warm!
Jesus, Eternal Temple, shelter me!
Jesus, Garment of Light, adorn me!
Jesus, Pearl of great price, beam on me!
Jesus, precious Stone, illumine me!
Jesus, Sun of Righteousness, shine on me!
Jesus, holy Light, make me radiant!
Jesus, deliver me from sickness of soul and body!
Jesus, rescue me from the hands of the adversary!
Jesus, save me from the unquenchable fire and from the other eternal torments!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 13
O most sweet and most generous Jesus! Receive this our humble prayer, as Thou didst receive the widow’s mite, and keep Thy faithful people from all enemies, visible and invisible, from foreign invasion, from disease and hunger, from all tribulations and mortal wounds, and deliver from future torments all who cry to Thee: Alleluia!
This kontakion is read three times. Then Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are repeated. [5][8]
Prayer after the Akathist
To Thee, O Lord, the only Good One, Who rememberest not evils, I confess my sins; I fall down before Thee, unworthy that I am, crying: I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I am not worthy to look upon the height of heaven for the multitude of mine iniquities.
But, O Lord, grant me tears of compunction, O only Good and Merciful One, that thereby I may entreat Thee and be cleansed before the end from every sin. For a fearful and dread place must I pass through when I am parted from the body, and a multitude of dark and inhuman demons will meet me, and none will hasten to help or to deliver.
Therefore I fall down before Thy goodness: deliver me not to them that wrong me, lest mine enemies boast over me, O good Lord, and say: Thou art come into our hands, and thou art delivered unto us. Nay, O Lord, forget not Thy compassions, and reward me not according to mine iniquities, and turn not Thy face away from me. But rather, O Lord, chasten me with mercy and bounties, and let not mine enemy rejoice over me; quench his threatenings against me and destroy all his working, and show me the blameless path to Thee, O good Lord. For though I have sinned, I have not fled to another physician, nor stretched out my hand to a strange god.
Reject not therefore my prayer, but hear me in Thy goodness, and establish my heart with Thy fear, and let Thy grace be upon me, O Lord, as a fire that burns up in me unclean thoughts.
For Thou art, O Lord, Light greater than every light, Joy greater than every joy, Rest greater than every rest, true Life and Salvation, unto ages of ages. Amen. [3][5]
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How does “Sweetest Jesus” differ from the Theotokos Akathist?
The form is the same (13 kontakia and 12 oikoi), but the refrain is “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me,” not “Rejoice, Unwedded Bride.” The spirit is penitential, not only triumphant. [2][4]
Who wrote this akathist?
The author is unknown. The first Greek manuscripts are 13th century, the Slavonic translation 14th century, the milieu Athos and hesychasm. Ascription to Theoktistos the Studite (9th century) is not supported by the manuscripts. [1][2]
When should one read it?
Any time at home; often before Communion and on Friday. There is no obligatory day in the typikon comparable to the Saturday of the Akathist. [1][7]
May it replace morning prayers?
Better as a supplement, not as a replacement for the rule, the Psalter or the Liturgy. [1]
How many days?
There is no canonical “forty days.” What matters is to finish each recitation with attention. [7]
Conclusion
The Akathist to Sweetest Jesus is the Jesus Prayer opened into twenty-five hymns. It was born where the Name of Christ became again the centre of ascesis: on Athos in the age of Gregory of Sinai. To read it is not to “accumulate power,” but to stand with Peter on the water, with the blind man by the road and with Thomas before the Wounds, and to say: “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.”
Sources
- Yevhen Zapletniuk. The Akathist — a hymn during which one does not sit. https://bogoslov.org/akafist/
- On the Akathist (history of the genre; Akathist to Jesus, Choniates, Theoktistos, Athos). Blyzhche do Boha. http://blyzhchedoboga.com.ua/akafist-do-bogorodytsi/
- Akathist to Jesus Christ. Ukrainian Wikisource. https://uk.wikisource.org/wiki/Акафіст_до_Ісуса_Христа
- Akathist. OrthodoxWiki. https://orthodoxwiki.org/Akathist
- Akathist to our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ. Holy New Martyrs, Norwich. https://holynewmartyrs.org/akathisticxc
- Narodoznavchi zoshyty, 2018, no. 6 — Skaryna 1525. https://nz.lviv.ua/archiv/2018-6/20.pdf
- What Is an Akathist and How to Read It? https://www.saint-nicholas-orthodox.com/post/what-is-an-akathist-and-how-to-read-it
- Can I read Akathists at home? St. Michael Antiochian. https://stmichaeltx.org/orthodox-101/prayer-spiritual-life-orthodox-101/can-i-read-akathists-at-home/