The Akathist to St. Anatolius Kovel’sky, Metropolitan of Odessa, is written to honor his memory and celebrate his life. St. Anatolius was known for his devotion to faith and his struggle to defend it, even in the most difficult circumstances. Reading this akathist helps us to better understand the significance of his life and to receive strength for our own faith.
Troparion, Tone 5
Thou didst live a life of piety among the saints, / and having completed the path of martyrdom, / thou didst shame the fury of the godless, / and as a champion of Christ’s flock, thou didst prove thyself wise. / Therefore, we now honor thee, crying out: / O holy martyr Anatolius, / pray to Christ our God / to save our souls.
Kondak, Tone 5
Thou wast a fellow-apostle and ornament of the holy fathers, / a shield and confirmation of the Orthodox, / illuminating the profound night of unbelief; / for this reason, thou didst appear as a martyr for Christ, / and deliver us from evil by thy prayers, / O holy martyr Anatolius.
Kondak 1
Chosen one of Christ and wise archpastor, / thou didst preserve the flock of Christ in holiness, / O holy martyr Anatolius, / we praise thy wondrous life, / and humbly pray thee: / pray to the Lover of Mankind, our Lord, / that He may have mercy on us, / who seek thy intercession for us before Him, / and call out to thee:
Rejoice, holy martyr Anatolius, faithful archpastor of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Icos 1
Thou didst resemble the angels in heaven, / O holy martyr Anatolius, / when from thy youth, thou didst strive to serve God in monasticism, / and to acquire spiritual knowledge. / We, singing the angelic purity of thy soul, / cry out to thee thus:
Rejoice, enlightened by the light of Christ in holy baptism.
Rejoice, named after the holy Apostle of the Lord Andrew.
Rejoice, instructed by the piety of thy mother.
Rejoice, bound to the Church of Christ forever.
Rejoice, enlightened and instructed by God.
Rejoice, established in the Orthodox faith with heart and soul.
Rejoice, holy martyr Anatolius, faithful archpastor of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Kondak 2
Seeing thy life, Lord, as unblemished and free from carnal passions, / grant me, holy martyr of Christ, / to be clothed in the angelic form. / Thou, fulfilling the monastic vows with zeal, / didst sing hymns of praise to God unceasingly:
Alleluia
Icos 2
Thou didst receive the gift of a pure mind, / O wise Anatolius, / by succeeding in the labors of theology. / We, praising all that thou didst accomplish for the glory of the Lord, / sing to thee thus:
Rejoice, guardian of humility and silence from youth.
Rejoice, diligent fulfiller of the commandments of God.
Rejoice, zealous advocate of prayer and self-control.
Rejoice, wise teacher of those seeking salvation.
Rejoice, unceasing reprover of human folly and unrighteousness.
Rejoice, steadfast sower of the Orthodox faith.
Rejoice, holy martyr Anatolius, faithful archpastor of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Condak 3
By the power from above, the Holy Spirit clothed you, when you were appointed as bishop of Kazanstey. You, as a good shepherd, have led the sheep into the Lord’s fold, and have strengthened them, singing to Jesus Christ:
Alleluia
Icos 3
Having in your heart the light of Christ, O servant of God, when the wondrous appearance of Christ descended upon you, you zealously preserved it throughout your life. For this reason, you endured to the end all afflictions and persecutions, imitating Christ in your gentleness and humility. We, beholding your virtues, exalt you thus:
Rejoice, vessel of the divine election.
Rejoice, fruit of good upbringing.
Rejoice, one who did not turn away from the Lord’s call.
Rejoice, one who did not shame our hope in Him.
Rejoice, one who did not reject our sighs.
Rejoice, filled with the fragrance of the paradise.
Rejoice, holy martyr Anatolius, archbishop of the heavenly kingdom, who faithfully served the Lord.
Condak 4
As a storm of Christ-killing, the impious have raised a persecution against the Church of God. You, however, O Christ’s confessor, did not fear their threats, but were always ready to suffer for the Orthodox faith, singing to the Lord:
Alleluia
Icos 4
When the Orthodox people heard of your zealous service to the Church of Christ, they came to you in times of need and affliction, seeking your paternal guidance. You, however, received all with love, teaching them to preserve the faith in Christ and to entrust all their hope to God. We, remembering this, cry out to you thus:
Rejoice, image of unselfish service.
Rejoice, one who seeks the Kingdom of Heaven with all your soul.
Rejoice, provider of salvation to your children.
Rejoice, upholder of truth.
Rejoice, corrector of falsehood.
Rejoice, guide of the erring.
Rejoice, holy martyr Anatolius, archbishop of the heavenly kingdom, who faithfully served the Lord.
Condak 5
You were a heavenly star of Orthodox faith, holy martyr Anatolius, guiding your flock to the one reliable path of salvation, so that all may with one heart and one mouth cry out to the saving God:
Alleluia
Ikos 5
We behold in you, O Anatolius, an unwavering faith and courage, and as one imprisoned in the darkness of the dungeon, you did not cease to intercede for your flock. We extol God, who granted you strength and power, and to you, His beloved servant, we thus pray:
Rejoice, O Christ, whom you have loved with all your heart.
Rejoice, O faithful one, who have preserved your loyalty to Him until the end.
Rejoice, O one who has surrendered your soul to the Heavenly Shepherd.
Rejoice, O one who has received the crown from the hand of the Creator in heaven.
Rejoice, O one who has revealed yourself as a worthy pastor.
Rejoice, O one who has lived a life as an incorporeal angel.
Rejoice, O holy martyr Anatolius, faithful Archbishop of the heavens.
Condak 6
You have appeared as a preacher of Christ’s truth, O glorious holy martyr Anatolius, when the godless, not tolerating your fearless service, imprisoned you. You, however, placing all your hope in the Lord, sweetly sang to Him:
Alleluia
Ikos 6
You have shone, O holy Anatolius, like a lamp on the altar of true Christ’s faith, illuminating the minds of the faithful with the height of your understanding, dispelling the darkness of unbelief and heresy. Therefore, we come to you as to a true father and guide, beset by the storms of life, and, having received help from you, we thus extol you:
Rejoice, O one who has surrendered yourself entirely to God’s will.
Rejoice, O one who has dispelled despair with the light of divine understanding.
Rejoice, O one who has driven away worldly thoughts with prayer.
Rejoice, O one who has interceded for the forgiveness of sins before the Lord.
Rejoice, O one who has triumphed over the cunning of the wicked.
Rejoice, O one who has acquired an imperishable inheritance in your soul.
Rejoice, O holy martyr Anatolius, faithful Archbishop of the heavens.
Condak 7
Although you have had great concern for the flock of Christ, O holy Anatolius, to lead it whole and unharmed to the pastures of heaven, you have preserved the faithful from schism and heresy, and have hymned Christ in all days:
Alleluia
Ikos 7
You have shown remarkable patience, O holy martyr Anatolius, imitating Christ’s patience, when in times of great trial you have cared for your flock, being a shield and a fortress for them against all the attacks of the enemy. And the people, gazing upon you with reverence, have been comforted in their souls, and have been strengthened in good hope in God. We, coming to you, offer you these praises:
Rejoice, O one who has found the path to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, O one who has walked this path irreversibly.
Rejoice, O one who has loved the heavenly more than the earthly.
Rejoice, O one who has lived a life like an angel.
Rejoice, O one who has been granted to see the Lord with a pure heart.
Rejoice, O one who has taught all to worship the Holy Trinity with reverence.
Rejoice, O holy martyr Anatolius, faithful Archbishop of the heavens.
Kondak 8
It would be strange for you to be considered faithless and timid, O Father Anatolius, holy hierarch, as you endured the most severe persecutions, upholding the righteous life, strengthening those who were weak in faith, and encouraging those who were spiritually weak to endure in the confession of Christ, recalling the words of the Savior: “Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.” – singing in harmony with them:
Alleluia
Icos 8
You were entirely filled with the fear of God and, strengthened by the divine grace, you appeared invincible to the cunning enemy seeking the destruction of every human soul. Therefore, guide us unhesitatingly to walk in the path of Christ’s commandments, that we may cry out to you:
Rejoice, unshakeable guardian of Christ’s Church.
Rejoice, tireless fulfiller of His commandments.
Rejoice, one persecuted for the Lord by the unfaithful.
Rejoice, one who preserves all on the paths.
Rejoice, one covered by the Immaculate Virgin.
Rejoice, one beloved by angels and saints in heaven.
Rejoice, holy hierarch Anatolius, faithful servant of the Heavenly Archbishop.
Kondak 9
All who see you, O Father Anatolius, holy hierarch of Christ, are greatly astonished at your unshakeable stance for the true faith, as you have preserved the ancestral traditions, not only not fearing imprisonment and threats, but courageously enduring all for Christ, and teaching others to courageously struggle for the Orthodox faith, ceaselessly singing:
Alleluia
Icos 9
Many testimonies will not be able to adequately praise all your sufferings, which you endured for Christ and His Holy Church. We, however, remembering your courage and heartily praising your sorrows, humbly sing thus:
Rejoice, for you now dwell in the heavenly dwellings.
Rejoice, for you look down upon us from the heights of heaven.
Rejoice, for you help us through your intercession.
Rejoice, for you pour out divine mercy upon us through your prayers.
Rejoice, for you deliver us from troubles through your mediation.
Rejoice, for you comfort the sorrowful and suffering with love.
Rejoice, holy hierarch Anatolius, faithful servant of the Heavenly Archbishop.
Kondak 10
Save, O Lord, many souls from eternal perdition, for you have ceaselessly preached the divine word, O blessed and wise saint, teaching steadfastness in faith and never departing from the Church of God in times of tribulation and persecution. And thus, you have led many who thirst for eternal life to the Heavenly Fatherland, who now sing to God:
Alleluia
Icos 10
You have appeared as a firm and strong bulwark to your flock, O Christ’s saint Anatolius, guiding the Church with wise leadership and preserving the flock of Christ’s words. And now, may the light of your divine wisdom dispel the darkness of unbelief from us, that, enlightened by you, we may cry out thus:
Rejoice, for through you the Church of God is adorned.
Rejoice, for through you the faith of Christ is established.
Rejoice, for through you our land is enlightened.
Rejoice, for through you peace is strengthened among nations.
Rejoice, for through you our souls are comforted.
Rejoice, for through you mercy is sent down from heaven.
Rejoice, holy martyr Anatolius, faithful Archbishop of Heaven.
Kondak 11
We offer to you, O saint and father Anatolius, a hymn of lamentation, glorifying your sufferings for Christ and entreating you: beseech the Lord our God Jesus Christ to grant us to remain in Orthodoxy, to avoid the snares of the wicked, and to sing with you in harmony:
Alleluia
Icos 11
You followed with a radiant and joyful countenance the sufferings prepared for you by your tormentors, O holy martyr Anatolius, and, enduring all patiently until the end, you remained faithful to Christ. We, remembering your martyrdom, call out to you with compassion:
Rejoice, unending glory and ornament of the Tauric regions.
Rejoice, strong defense and protection of our cities.
Rejoice, deliverance of your flock from tribulation.
Rejoice, true correction of the paths of the wicked.
Rejoice, establishment of Orthodox faith in our lands.
Rejoice, shelter and protection of the poor and the destitute.
Rejoice, holy martyr Anatolius, faithful Archbishop of Heaven.
Condak 12
Having received the gift of grace from above, knowing, O our merciful father Anatolius, we humbly entreat you: shed now your warm prayer upon us, sinners, to the Lord, that He may strengthen His Holy Church, preserve it unshakeable from strife and schisms, and keep all Orthodox Christians in peace and prosperity, that we may all sing together:
Alleluia
Icos 12
Singing your praise, we glorify you, O venerable martyr Anatolius, and, remembering your martyrdom, we cry out to you in praise:
Rejoice, O one who pours forth wonders upon those who come to you with faith.
Rejoice, O one who grants a sound mind to those who are bereft of reason.
Rejoice, O one who manifests your help in dreams and visions.
Rejoice, O one who enlightens us with the light of Christ’s truth.
Rejoice, O one who warms our souls with divine love.
Rejoice, O one who guards our Orthodox land from calamities and afflictions.
Rejoice, O venerable martyr Anatolius, faithful archpastor of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Condak 13
O wondrous saint, archpastor of God, Anatolius, accept our prayer offered to you now, and entreat the All-beneficent God to grant us peace and the salvation of our souls, that we may sing your praise in the Kingdom of Heaven:
Alleluia
(This Condak is read three times, followed by Icos 1 and Condak 1)
Molitva
O venerable martyr, saint, and father Anatolius! To you, our fervent intercessor and advocate before God, we hasten with fervent prayer. In the time of great persecution and trials, when the enemies of God have brought death to faithful servants of God and have destroyed holy churches, the Lord showed you to His Church as an unshakeable pillar and a good shepherd, who laid down your life for your flock and drove away the wolves that sought to destroy souls. Now, we beseech you, look upon us with compassion and a broken heart, for our strength is failing, and the snares of the enemy surround us. Pray for us, that we may not perish at the end with our sins, but that the Lord may turn us to the path of repentance and salvation, forgive us all our transgressions, and send peace upon our cities and lands, deliver us from the invasion of foreigners, civil wars, and all kinds of strife and disorder. Establish, O venerable martyr, the faith and orthodoxy in all the children of the Orthodox Church, entreat the Lord to grant us the gift of courage, that we may be heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven, remaining faithful to the end of our lives to the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, to Whom is due all glory, honor, and worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.