The Akathist to Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom is a prayer that helps to deepen the understanding of the lives and teachings of these three great fathers of the Church. Reading this akathist helps devotees of these saints to gain a deeper understanding of their spiritual legacy and receive spiritual support in their lives.
Condak 1
Most blessed luminaries of the Church of Christ, Basil, Gregory, and John, by your teachings you have enlightened the world and extinguished all the turmoil of heresies and calumnious disturbances; as intercessors for our salvation, we beseech you, through your prayers, to preserve us from all afflictions and eternal torments, that we may joyfully give thanks and cry out to you:
Rejoice, three holy hierarchs, great and universal teachers.
Icos 1
Earthly angels and heavenly men, holy hierarchs and glorious fathers, champions of the Life-giving Trinity, illuminated by the three-sunned light from It and praying unceasingly at the throne of the Trihypostatic Godhead for our souls, hear us from the heart as we cry out to you:
Rejoice, having boldness to pray to the Lord on our behalf;
Rejoice, great and holy intercessors of the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, having been endowed with one-mindedness;
Rejoice, having been made one in spirit with the apostles.
Rejoice, as your teachings have wonderfully shone forth the grace of Christ;
Rejoice, having bound your minds in obedience to the faith.
Rejoice, as vineyard workers of the Christ;
Rejoice, having been blessed by God from youth.
Rejoice, having endured the sufferings of this life well and having multiplied the talent given to you;
Rejoice, having boldly preached the will of God to the world.
Rejoice, having driven away the darkness of unrighteousness;
Rejoice, having illuminated the whole world with the rays of dogma.
Rejoice, three holy hierarchs, great and universal teachers.
Condak 2
Seeing the fierce endeavors of the heretics, the sharp sword against the nets of false teachings, and the fire that devours the tares of wickedness, the holy Basil appeared and, as the most excellent pastor, rebuked the idolatrous deceit with his divinely-inspired preaching. Teach us to reverence the Holy Trinity, which is divided in persons but united in essence, and cry out to It:
Alleluia
Icos 2
Having been enlightened by the grace of Christ, as one-minded with the apostles, you have clearly taught the orthodox dogmas, and you have appeared as the three great luminaries of the Trihypostatic Godhead; for through your inspired writings, the Church of Christ is illuminated, and the faithful children of hers ascend in measure to the fullness of Christ. Therefore, beholding the wealth of the grace of Christ, which has been given to you, we praise you, crying out thus:
Rejoice, heavenly theologians of the mysteries;
Rejoice, ceaseless preachers of repentance.
Rejoice, chosen vessels;
Rejoice, universal teachers of wisdom.
Rejoice, having instructed men in the teachings of Christ;
Rejoice, having walked in the commandments of the Lord with zeal.
Rejoice, having manifested the various virtues in your life;
Rejoice, having established the faith of Christ unshakeably with divine dogmas.
Rejoice, having wisely pastored the flock of Christ;
Rejoice, having been the most excellent theologians of orthodoxy.
Rejoice, illuminating the whole world with your light;
Rejoice, sweet-voiced harp and lyre.
Rejoice, three holy hierarchs, great and universal teachers.
Condak 3
By the power of the prayers of the holy fathers, Saint Gregory the Theologian was compelled to leave Pontus and settle in Nazianzus, where he was to assist his father, and to proclaim the glory of God through his teachings and deeds, and to confound the Arian heresy. Therefore, great Saint Gregory, as we pass through the incorruptible delights of the heavenly kingdom, we entreat you to remember us at the throne of the Holy Trinity, that we may cry out to Her with humility:
All glory to God
Icos 3
Having within our hearts the radiant gift of the Holy Trinity, the Three in One and One in Three, the three divine preachers, who, though divided in body, were united in spirit, preached the One indivisible Trinity, and, through their sufferings, sealed this preaching. Therefore, imitating their faith, we cry out:
Rejoice, O strong and unconquerable co-workers of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, O zealous defenders of the truth of Christ;
Rejoice, O fervent intercessors before the Most Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, O good shepherds of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, O those who have overthrown Arius and established the Orthodox;
Rejoice, O those who have glorified the One indivisible Trinity, the Essence and Divinity, through your deeds and teachings;
Rejoice, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Hypostases of the Trinity, who have wonderfully revealed the Trinity;
Rejoice, O those who have endured great sufferings and persecutions for the sake of the Triune and Single Godhead;
Rejoice, O those who have endured the daily toil of your life until its end;
Rejoice, O those who have driven away the dark night of heretical errors with the rays of your wise dogmas;
Rejoice, O those who have nourished the souls of the faithful with the gift of grace;
Rejoice, O those who have been made heirs of the Eternal Kingdom;
Rejoice, O three holy teachers, great and universal.
Condak 4
The storm of wrath and anger was raised against you, O Golden-Mouthed one, by the foolish people, who slandered you and were banished from the imperial city. But you, O Golden-Spoken one, remaining unshaken on the rock of Christ’s faith, and strengthened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, endured the storm of persecutions and sufferings with courage, and, through your sufferings, prepared for yourself an imperishable crown in heaven, teaching all to endure the Cross of Christ and to cry out to God:
All glory to God
Icos 4
Having heard your God-inspired words, which were sealed by many miracles and sufferings, those who thirst for eternal life came to you from afar, and, receiving the imperishable food from you, and partaking of the divine drink, they cried out to you with fervor:
Rejoice, O those who have well tested the depths of God’s word;
Rejoice, O those who have ceaselessly sought God;
Rejoice, O nourishers of those who hunger for truth;
Rejoice, O comforters of those who are spiritually poor;
Rejoice, O clouds that pour forth the dew of wise teachings and nourish the world;
Rejoice, O rivers that flow with spiritual waters and nourish the faithful children of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, O guardians of the divine mysteries and the trumpets of God’s word;
Rejoice, O sowers of the Orthodox faith and the virtues of Christianity;
Rejoice, O those who have illuminated many with your miracles;
Rejoice, O those who have poured forth healing waters for us;
Rejoice, O those who have protected us from temptations and afflictions through your prayers;
Rejoice, O glory of the entire Christian race;
Rejoice, O three holy teachers, great and universal.
Condak 5
Christ, Thou hast revealed to the world the star of divine theology, O great Basil, by obtaining the guidance of the Divine Mysteries and the illumination from above of the Throne of the Divine Grace. Thou hast wonderfully enlightened the minds and hearts of the faithful with the divine words, and being filled with love for God, Thou hast endured persecutions and sufferings for Christ, and for this reason, Thou hast been granted the boldness of intercession at the Throne of the King of Glory, being an image of the faithful word, life, spirit, love, faith, and purity, that all may cry out to the Most Holy Trinity with reverence:
Alleluia
Icos 5
Beholding you, O Christ’s holy hierarchs, who are always present in the heavenly likeness and always stand before the Throne of God, we sing with reverence, glorifying the Life-giving Trinity, who has glorified you through your word and life. We cry out to you, O most excellent intercessor, with hearts full of love:
Rejoice, O heavenly assembly and holy angels who dwell with you;
Rejoice, O Throne of the King of Glory, who stand before it always with all the elect;
Rejoice, O heavenly glory, who are adorned;
Rejoice, O flesh and world, who have hated;
Rejoice, O you who have laid up all the treasures of the world and the fleeting pleasures of life for the sake of Christ;
Rejoice, O you who have ascended to the chariot of radiant virtues and have reached the Kingdom of Heaven;
Rejoice, O you who have shown us, sinners, the image of virtues through your word and life;
Rejoice, O you who have entered into the joy of the Lord through many sorrows;
Rejoice, O you who are warm intercessors for us before God;
Rejoice, O you who are the most excellent lights of Orthodox theology;
Rejoice, O you who are the glory of faith and the ornament of the Church;
Rejoice, O three holy hierarchs, great and universal teachers.
Condak 6
By preaching the truth with your divine words, O theologian Gregory, you have crushed the Hellenic arrogance and the snares of heresies, and you have preached the all-pervading Trinity, glorifying the God who is of one essence, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching all to cry out to Him:
Alleluia
Icos 6
You have shone forth as a light of virtuous life and have proclaimed the Orthodox faith throughout the whole world and in every language, making clear the light of true God-knowledge, as if you were the pastors and teachers of the whole Church of Christ. And even after death, you do not cease to look upon us, who pray and cry out to you with warmth:
Rejoice, O three great lights, guiding us to salvation;
Rejoice, O illuminators of those sitting in the darkness of ignorance;
Rejoice, O revealers of the mysteries of the Trihypostatic Godhead, unknown to us;
Rejoice, O nourishers of your flock with streams of wise teachings;
Rejoice, O excellent pastors, who have adorned your life with all virtues;
Rejoice, O guardians of your flock from the wolves;
Rejoice, O lamps of the three-sunned light, wonderfully illuminating the minds and hearts of the faithful;
Rejoice, O images of chastity, teaching us to strive for this virtue;
Rejoice, O nourishers of the Church, clearly showing the path of Orthodox theology;
Rejoice, O equal to the twelve apostles;
Rejoice, O dwellers of the angelic ranks;
Rejoice, O praying unceasingly for us with all the saints;
Rejoice, O three holy hierarchs, great and universal teachers.
Кондак 7
Although the wicked serpent sought to deceive you, as did the many-suffering Job, you raised a tempest of the unrighteous, who cast you into prison. However, by the grace of Christ, you were strengthened, and you endured all afflictions and illnesses well, O Father John Chrysostom. And you were granted blessed repose. Now, abiding in the day of the Kingdom of Christ, do not cease to pray for us at the Throne of the Trihypostatic God, that we may cry out with compunction:
Alleluia
Икос 7
You have appeared as new, shining lamps and unshakeable pillars of the Church, O great saints: by the sanctity of your lives, even while still in the flesh on earth, you shone forth as if without flesh. For this reason, the Church of Christ, continually glorifying you, offers thanksgiving hymns to the Light-giving Christ God, by whose grace we are strengthened, and you endured great illnesses and labors in the preaching of Christ. Therefore, glorifying Christ, who continually blesses His Church, we also extol you, as faithful servants of Christ and builders of the Divine Mysteries, crying out thus:
Radujtesja, verjni Tropitsi poboritsi;
radujtesja, Pravoslavija nepobedimii ispovednitsi.
Radujtesja, ierarhov svjashchenonachal’nitsi;
radujtesja, luchami bogosloviia vashego erezitcheskaia sueslovija razrushivshie.
Radujtesja, presvetlii blagochestija obrazy;
radujtesja, vernye v bogovedenii utverdilshie.
Radujtesja, slova Bozhija bogodukhovenie izyaslitelie;
radujtesja, Vladikov Khrista rabii blazhennye i vernye.
Radujtesja, krotost’ Moiseevu i revnost’ Il’ina v podvizhakh svoikh voplotivshie;
radujtesja, terpieniem skorbey i goneniem drevnem Iovu podrazhavshie.
Radujtesja, Iosifa celomudriem i chistotoiu ukraashenii;
radujtesja, Petrovo ispovedanie i Ioannovo bogosloviie pokazavshie.
Radujtesja, trie svjatitelie, velikie i vselenskie uchiteli.
Кондак 8
The strange wonder of the grace bestowed upon you, O Bishop Basil, led Ephrem of Syria to himself, when, desiring to see you, O Father, you sent your archdeacon to bring him to you, and by your prayer, Ephrem understood the Greek language, and, marveling at the wonder, he glorified God, singing to Him:
Alleluia
Икос 8
You have preserved the unblemished faith in the Holy Trinity and have led many to Christ, O Christ’s saints, by the good work of your struggle. For this reason, beholding your wondrous struggle and your pure life, we cry out to you with compunction:
Radujtesja, Pravoslavija odezhdoiu, svyaze istkannoiu, Tserkov’ ukrasivshie;
radujtesja, erezitcheskaia sueslovija jasno oblichivshie.
Radujtesja, pisaniiami i slovami vashimi dukhovnoe sokrovishche Tserkvi Khristove sobravshie;
radujtesja, mudrost’ zemnuu i vsiu krasotu mira Khrista radi otkryvshie.
Radujtesja, sokrovishcha Nebesnykh pache vsyakogo vsyiskavshie;
radujtesja, Pastyrnachalnika Khrista, yakо sluzhitelei vernykh, zhiv
Condak 9
With all thy soul, thou hast loved God, O Father Gregory, and hast chosen the divine purity and chastity above all else, and hast appeared as a great theologian and revealer of mysteries. Now, standing before the Throne of the Holy Trinity, beseech peace and salvation for us all, who praise and hymn thee to God:
Alleluia
Icos 9
By the divine inspiration of the three universal fathers, the snares of heresy have been vanquished, and the Orthodox faith has prevailed all the more. Therefore, we, with fervent zeal and affection, invoke them thus:
Rejoice, for ye have illuminated your entire life with the love of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, for ye have taught us to worship the One God in Three Persons;
Rejoice, for ye have overthrown the Arian blasphemy and the calumnies of other heretics;
Rejoice, for ye have restrained the unrighteous lips of false teachers with the radiance of your words;
Rejoice, heavenly trumpets, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to the world;
Rejoice, three great lights in the hierarchy;
Rejoice, teachers of gentleness, self-control, and repentance;
Rejoice, good teachers and guides of the monastic life;
Rejoice, defenders of the Church and champions of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, who have entered into the labors of the Apostles and have grasped the crown of good confession;
Rejoice, who have received the imperishable crowns of faith and works from the Chief Shepherd Christ;
Rejoice, who have lifted up great labors and struggles for the well-being of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, three great teachers, universal and wise.
Condak 10
Do not cease to intercede for us who commemorate thy memory, all-blessed John Chrysostom, for thou hast been given the gift of prayer for us. Therefore, we, as vessels of the fragrant perfume of peace, approaching thee with reverence and affection, cry out in hymns, praising thee to God:
Alleluia
Icos 10
You are an unbreachable wall for those celebrating your holy memory and for all who approach your prayerful protection, an unwavering hope and a strong intercession. Therefore, we, the three holy fathers, approaching you with reverence, beseech you to request from the Throne of the Holy Trinity mercy and grace for our aid in due time, that we may cry out to you with joy and thanksgiving:
Rejoice, for ye are a source of comfort and solace for all the faithful;
Rejoice, for ye deliver those who repent from the snares of the devil;
Rejoice, for ye are diligent distributors of the gifts of the Spirit;
Rejoice, for ye are the intercession and protection of all people;
Rejoice, for ye are the defenders of the poor and the comforters of the afflicted;
Rejoice, for ye are the heralds of mercy to the suffering and the guides of the young;
Rejoice, for ye are the nourishers of the elderly;
Rejoice, for ye are the comforters of those in sorrow;
Rejoice, for ye are the companions of the strangers;
Rejoice, for ye are the aid of those who are exhausted;
Rejoice, for ye are the source of joy and salvation for those who commemorate your memory;
Rejoice, three great teachers, universal and wise.
Condak 11
The hymn of the Most Holy Trinity, surpassing all others, has been brought forth by you, O holy fathers, through your intellect, word, deed, and theological eloquence, which has shattered the rhetorical fabric of the heretics, guiding us to venerate the Trinity in Unity and to sing to it:
Alleluia
Icos 11
We extol and gloriously celebrate the luminous Trinity of the holy hierarchs, Basil, the theophoros, Gregory, the theologian, and John, the golden-mouthed, who have investigated the depths of God, and we offer to them the following hymn of praise:
Rejoice, O blessed trumpets of divine words;
Rejoice, O vessels of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, O interpreters of the apostolic writings, inspired by God;
Rejoice, O guardians of the apostolic traditions;
Rejoice, O teachers of the wondrous greatness of God to all mortals;
Rejoice, O preachers of the glory of God through your life and word to the whole world;
Rejoice, O guides to salvation and instructors;
Rejoice, O destroyers of corrupted customs and planters of good morals;
Rejoice, O teachers who have instructed us to reject carnal desires and passions;
Rejoice, O healers of the spiritual and bodily diseases of wisdom;
Rejoice, O church lights, kindled by the Trinitarian Light;
Rejoice, O fragrant flowers of the paradise of virtues;
Rejoice, O three holy fathers, great and universal teachers.
Condak 12
The abundance of God’s grace has overflowed in your mouths, O venerable ones: the Orthodox faith has been strengthened by you, and the darkness of heretical errors and false teachings has been dispelled by the light of your inspired writings. Therefore, O holy fathers, pray to Christ God that the spirit of your zeal for the faith and righteousness may be at rest, and that we may be enabled, together with you, to sing to the Holy Trinity:
Alleluia
Icos 12
As we sing and joyfully celebrate your sacred memory, O venerable Basil the Great, theologian, Gregory, and John the Golden-Mouthed, we humbly entreat you, do not cease to pray to Christ on behalf of all who invoke you in faith and with love, saying:
Rejoice, O guardians of the Orthodox dogmas;
Rejoice, O living sources of theology;
Rejoice, O ones who delight the hearts of God with divine joy;
Rejoice, O ones who have overthrown Arius through your unyielding efforts;
Rejoice, O ones who have extinguished the heresy of Eunomius through the fire of your inspired words;
Rejoice, O ones who have dispelled the heresy of Sabellius through your inspired words;
Rejoice, O ones who have nullified the thought of Nestor;
Rejoice, O ones who have been the most excellent intercessors for peace;
Rejoice, O ones who have led the faithful to the Kingdom of Heaven;
Rejoice, O ones who have proclaimed the divine voice, wonderfully resounding to us;
Rejoice, O ones who have been the models of the shepherds of the Church;
Rejoice, O ones who have been all things to all;
Rejoice, O three holy fathers, great and universal teachers.
Condak 13
Oh, holy fathers of Christ and teachers of the Church, Basil the Great, the ecclesiastical luminary and unshakeable pillar, Gregory the Theologian, the well-versed in divine things, and John Chrysostom, the steadfast preacher of repentance, with heavenly countenance and angelic powers, who have received our present petition, beseech the all-merciful God to grant us the gift of wisdom and action, that we may shun eternal torments and inherit heavenly life with you, crying out to God:
All hail
[This condak is repeated three times.]
[We then repeat the first ikos and condak:]
Ikos 1
Earthly angels and heavenly men, holy fathers of Christ and teachers of the Church, champions of the life-giving Trinity, who have been enlightened by its three-sunned light and pray unceasingly at the throne of the Trihypostatic Godhead for our souls, hear us from the heart, as we cry out to you:
Rejoice, you who have boldness to pray to the Lord on our behalf;
Rejoice, you great servants of the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, you who have been endowed with singular virtues;
Rejoice, you who have been conformed to the apostles in your way of life.
Rejoice, for your students have been wonderfully enlightened by the grace of Christ;
Rejoice, for you have bound your minds to the obedience of the faith.
Rejoice, you who have been fruitful laborers in the vineyard of Christ;
Rejoice, for you have been blessed by God from your youth.
Rejoice, for you have endured the sufferings of this life well and have increased the talent given to you;
Rejoice, for you have preached the will of God with great boldness to the world.
Rejoice, for you have driven away the darkness of unrighteousness;
Rejoice, for you have illuminated the whole world with the rays of doctrine.
Rejoice, O three holy fathers, great and universal teachers.
Condak 1
Chosen lamps of the Church of Christ, Basil, Gregory, and John, who have enlightened the world through your teachings and have extinguished the flames of heresies and wicked disturbances; as intercessors for our salvation, preserve us through your prayers from all evils and eternal torments, that we may thanksgiving cry out to you with joy:
Rejoice, O three holy fathers, great and universal teachers.
Prayer
Oh, radiant lamps of the Church of Christ, Basil, Gregory, and John, who have illuminated the ends of the earth with the light of orthodox dogma and have extinguished the disturbances of heresies and the flames of wickedness with the sword of the divine word; drawing near to your mercy with faith and love, we cry out from the depths of our soul:
Standing before the throne of the Most Holy, Undivided, Life-giving, and Triune Trinity, for Whom you have lived a good life, and have laid down your souls, pray unceasingly for us, that the Trinity may strengthen us in orthodoxy and unity, and may preserve us unshaken even to death in the confession of the faith of Christ, and in all-soul submission to His Church:
May the Trinity clothe us with power from on high against all visible and invisible enemies;
May the Trinity preserve its Church unshakeable from unbelief, superstition, heresy, and schism;
May the Trinity grant our archpastors health, longevity, and all good success;
May the Trinity give our pastors spiritual sobriety and zeal for the salvation of their flock;
May the Trinity give our rulers justice and righteousness, our warriors patience, courage, and victory over enemies, our orphans and widows protection, the sick healing, the young growth in faith, the elderly comfort, the oppressed protection, and to all, whatever is necessary for temporal and eternal life:
May we, working in the world and in repentance, with a desire for salvation, and with good deeds, complete our course and be worthy, together with you, to pray and