The Akathist to St. Nectarios of Egina is a prayer that helps us venerate this great saint of Christian faith. St. Nectarios was a renowned theologian and missionary who worked on the island of Egina in Greece. He is known for his miracles and his devotion to God, and this akathist helps us follow his example and receive his intercession.
Кондак 1
We beseech thee, O Nectarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis and Wonderworker of Aegina, to intercede for our ailing relatives, for thou hast been revealed as a healer of festering sores and other afflictions, bestowing thy blessings upon the entire world. Therefore, with one voice and one heart, we hymn thee eternally:
Rejoice, O Nectarios, God-bearing Archbishop.
Икос 1
Having been found to be a guardian angel in holy baptism, O our father Nectarios, thou didst desire from thy earliest years a life of equal angelic virtue; now, however, thou dost delight in beholding the vision of the glory of God, and dost entreat the Lord on behalf of those who hymn thee thus:
Rejoice, blessed fruit of blessed parents.
Rejoice, O child of God, consecrated in the womb of thy mother.
Rejoice, one who from childhood didst learn obedience.
Rejoice, one who from youth didst study the Scriptures.
Rejoice, living book of God’s words.
Rejoice, living scroll of divine love.
Rejoice, one chosen by God for meekness and humility.
Rejoice, one who didst leave behind the world for the sake of spiritual teaching.
Rejoice, for the stormy sea was stilled by thy prayer.
Rejoice, for the mast, rent asunder by the tempest, was strengthened by thy cloak.
Rejoice, young eagle, endowed with wise prayers.
Rejoice, O ewe, seeking the sources of repentance.
Rejoice, O Nectarios, God-bearing Archbishop.
Кондак 2
Beholding thee in the air, a certain nun was struck with awe, O God-lover; yet thou didst conceal thy prayer, and didst seal thy lips with the oath of the Virgin, hymning in thy heart:
Alleluia
Икос 2
Through the prayer of Christ, thou didst attain understanding, O holy Nectarios, that the will of God is good, pleasing, and perfect; teach us, too, to lift our hands to God in every place, without anger or doubt, that we may receive praise from thee:
Rejoice, one who didst ascend the mountain of lamentation.
Rejoice, one who didst bring forth the fruits of the Spirit.
Rejoice, child of the Holy Mountain of Athos.
Rejoice, key of the prayer of Jesus.
Rejoice, lamp of ancient piety.
Rejoice, city of the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, one anointed with the gift of grace.
Rejoice, fiery Cherubim.
Rejoice, salt of the earth, consecrated by promise.
Rejoice, one who sowest tears, and reapeth joy.
Rejoice, on whom the holy habitation of Christ doth flourish.
Rejoice, for God doth bless thee with good deeds.
Rejoice, O Nectarios, God-bearing Archbishop.
Condak 3
By the power of the Most High, O Father Nectarios, you have established the power of Christ’s words: In My Kingdom, I say to you, do not marry, nor be defiled, but as the Angels in heaven, you sing:
Alleluia
Icos 3
Having the All-Pure Mother of God in service to all the heavenly host, you, O blessed one, have been appointed by Her as a hymnographer of Her wonders, just as an Angel in the flesh: We, beholding the Marian omophorion over you, approach you with fear and love:
Glorify, O secret elect of the Mother of God;
Glorify, O fulfiller of Her commands.
Glorify, O receiver of the spirit of gentleness from the Pure Dove;
Glorify, O one who praises the All-Pure One in spiritual hymns.
Glorify, O servant who brings joy to heaven and earth to the Queen;
Glorify, O one who has obtained mercy from the Son through the prayers of the Mother.
Glorify, O standard of righteousness and wisdom;
Glorify, O depth of discernment and humility.
Glorify, O Echinian flower, who distills the honey of repentance;
Glorify, O Edenic bee, who provides us with the honey of theology.
Glorify, O world-renovator, who pours forth the oil of peace;
Glorify, O chalice of spiritual washing.
Glorify, O Nectarios, Archpriest of God.
Condak 4
Having a festering wound of leprosy on your breast, O priest of your church, Nectarios, you trembled when you appeared to him, as if you were in the flesh: And he, having received healing, cried out to God with tears:
Alleluia
Icos 4
Many heard of the wondrous healing that you performed during your lifetime, when, in the land of Canada, you served the holy Liturgy, and, in the Spirit, you appeared to a certain man, and you raised him, who was weakened, to the Chalice: And he was healed, and, beholding you in the flesh, he cried out with a loud voice:
Glorify, O hospitable healer, glory of Greece;
Glorify, O one who has obtained the glory of Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Glorify, O fountain of benevolence;
Glorify, O merciful Samaritan.
Glorify, O one who has been enriched with the gift of miracles;
Glorify, O one who visits the humble.
Glorify, O one who consoles us with true miracles;
Glorify, O one who makes the impossible possible.
Glorify, O one who transforms our sorrows into joy;
Glorify, O one who wipes away our tears from our eyes.
Glorify, O liberator of those possessed by demons;
Glorify, O healer of festering wounds.
Glorify, O Nectarios, Archpriest of God.
Condak 5
O Lord, the Star of Repentance, Thou hast ascended above the universe, shining forth rays of destruction upon human transgressions; enlighten our minds to behold the sight of our sins, that we may appease the Lord with our hymn:
Alleluia
Icos 5
Beholding the chaste maidens, the daughters of thy clergy, standing before God in the beauty of soul and body, and knowing in thee the great intercessor and wonderworker, they have cried out to thee, O holy Nectarius:
Rejoice, thou dwelling place of Christ;
rejoice, thou treasure of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, thou sacred vessel of the Great Hierarch;
rejoice, thou called to the Throne of the Eternal King.
Rejoice, thou fellow of the Body of Christ;
rejoice, thou partaker of the Holy Blood.
Rejoice, thou herald of repentance;
rejoice, thou intercessor before God.
Rejoice, O Nectarius, thou joy of the Angels;
rejoice, thou flame that burns up demons.
Rejoice, thou fountain of compassion;
rejoice, thou sea of wondrous miracles.
Rejoice, O Nectarius, thou Hierarch of God.
Condak 6
Preacher of the One Good God, blessed Nectarius, Thou hast been exalted by Him, Who, in His mighty hand, hath humbled thee; do not forget Thy children, who are struggling in the sea of passions, but set them on the rock of humility, that they may magnify Thy God, singing:
Alleluia
Icos 6
Having shone forth with the light of the blessings of Christ, Thou hast ascended from degree to degree, O wise Nectarius: by gentleness and peace, by self-control and love, Thou hast enlightened Thy soul, that Thou mayest now hear from us this hymn:
Rejoice, thou wearer of the garment of humility;
rejoice, thou coverer of offenses with forgiveness.
Rejoice, thou one who delights in the multitude of peace;
rejoice, thou inheritor of the land of the meek.
Rejoice, thou vessel of the tears of repentance;
rejoice, thou mirror of the heart’s purity.
Rejoice, thou one who is filled with the name of Jesus;
rejoice, thou one who is nourished with the waters of Scripture.
Rejoice, thou announcer of mercy and judgment;
rejoice, thou one who has abolished enmity with love.
Rejoice, thou one who lives a righteous life;
rejoice, thou one who is persecuted for the sake of righteousness.
Rejoice, O Nectarius, thou Hierarch of God.
Canon 7
Although the human being of God was perfect, O righteous Nectarius, you chose the path of the unblemished: on the island of Aegina, you traversed the sea of life, like a vessel, triumphantly singing to the Lord:
All glory be to God
Ikos 7
You appeared as a teacher of the New Testament, O excellent Nectarius, proclaiming the Word of God through your life: for our struggle is not against the flesh and blood, but against the ruler of this darkness of the age. We, however, empowered by the Lord, cry out to you, O mighty Nectarius:
Rejoice, O blessed warrior of Jesus Christ;
Rejoice, you who have subdued the spirits of wickedness from on high.
Rejoice, you who have received all the armor of God;
Rejoice, you who have girded your loins with the truth.
Rejoice, your feet are beautiful with the gospel of peace;
Rejoice, your head is established on the helmet of salvation.
Rejoice, shield of faith, by which the faithful are protected;
Rejoice, you who are a two-edged sword, cutting down heresies.
Rejoice, you who are the conqueror, partaking of the tree of life;
Rejoice, you who are the human being of God, strange to the second death.
Rejoice, witness to the true faith;
Rejoice, you who are the branch of salvation.
Rejoice, O Nectarius, Archbishop of God.
Canon 8
You have been found to possess a strange perfection, accessible only to those who are perfect in love; grant to our souls, O loving Nectarius, the perfection of love, that we may attain to the fullness of man, and sing to God:
All glory be to God
Ikos 8
You were all things in all, following the humble, and in the heights with God, that is, in Love; grant us, O heavenly Nectarius, the knowledge of love, that we may entreat you with sincere hearts:
Rejoice, for you have been made a captive of God’s love;
Rejoice, for you have captured your children with love.
Rejoice, you who have bowed under the yoke of the Savior;
Rejoice, you who bear the burdens of your neighbors.
Rejoice, you who are rooted in love;
Rejoice, you who are established in mercy.
Rejoice, you who understand the breadth and length of the Cross;
Rejoice, you who have grasped the height and depth of the Tree.
Rejoice, you who are wise in love, surpassing human understanding;
Rejoice, you who are the vessel of the fullness of God.
Rejoice, holding in your mind what is true, just, and holy;
Rejoice, loving with your heart what is pure, praiseworthy, and lovely.
Rejoice, O Nectarius, Archbishop of God.
Kontakion 9
Every nature, angelic and human, marveled at the image revealed in thee, great Nektarius: for in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, but a new creation, singing to the Redeemer of all creation:
Alleluia
Ikos 9
The ancient words full of speech have fallen silent at thy life, holy Father Nektarius, wondering how holy thou wert, though being called a sinner; thou wert spiritual, though taken from the dust of the earth; after death thou wert carried up, while in life by mind hadst descended unto Hades; but we, opening our mouths like children, cry out:
Rejoice, head, having exalted the faith;
rejoice, lips, having shamed godlessness.
Rejoice, eye, illuminated by knowledge of God;
rejoice, right hand, strengthened by His power.
Rejoice, thou who humblest vain minds;
rejoice, thou who crushest proud hearts.
Rejoice, having shown strength in weakness;
rejoice, having found joy in tears.
Rejoice, he who died and yet lives;
rejoice, earthly and heavenly.
Rejoice, mountain-like seed of life;
rejoice, ripened cluster of the Resurrection.
Rejoice, Nektarius, Bishop and Hierarch of God.
Kontakion 10
Wishing to save thine own soul as a maiden, thou didst betroth her to the only Bridegroom; now having entered the bridal chamber of Christ with the ranks of virgins, glorious Nektarius, sing the song:
Alleluia
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall for all who flee to thee, most praiseworthy Nektarius, for thou hast the grace to heal the weak and to lead up to the heavenly inheritance; therefore persuade us, thy children, and lead into the Kingdom of Christ, that with all our hearts we may say to thee:
Rejoice, gracious elder;
rejoice, preeminent guide of the youth.
Rejoice, innocent shepherd of the innocent sheep;
rejoice, wiseer of virginal pearls.
Rejoice, spiritual protector of the universe;
rejoice, fiery servant of the Eucharist.
Rejoice, voice of the humble Christ;
rejoice, speaker of the Word of the edifying Spirit.
Rejoice, having been tested in patience;
rejoice, having been purified by sorrows.
Rejoice, champion of Godic righteousness;
rejoice, heir of Christ’s glory.
Rejoice, Nektarius, Bishop and Hierarch of God.
Kondak 11
O Most Holy Theotokos, you have brought forth the hymn of the Mother of God, and now you have been perfectly enlightened by the understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation, and you ascend with a loud voice:
Alleluia
Icos 11
You are illuminated by the light of divine glory, O Nectar, in the depths of glory: enlighten the garment of our souls with the triple radiance, that we may hymn you unceasingly:
Rejoice, precious diadem of the King;
Rejoice, lightning-bearing one of the Cherubim.
Rejoice, as the shining commandment that has enlightened your eyes;
Rejoice, for you have loved her more than gold and topaz.
Rejoice, silver refined seven times;
Rejoice, spiritual harp of the Savior’s throne.
Rejoice, for the name of God is written in your heart;
Rejoice, for you have proven your love by deeds.
Rejoice, bearer of the Holy Spirit’s sanctuary;
Rejoice, for you have sanctified souls corrupted by passions.
Rejoice, as the righteousness that has clothed you like a mantle;
Rejoice, enlightened by the knowledge of the Trinity.
Rejoice, O Nectar, Archbishop of God.
Kondak 12
You have multiplied the gift of God given to you, O faithful servant of God, Nectar, and have increased it, and you have wrought spiritual works for us, that we may obtain the treasure of Christ, and hymn:
Alleluia
Icos 12
Singing your wonders, O wondrous Nectar, we know that Christ has dwelt richly in you, and for this reason, bring down His miraculous hand upon us, who say thus:
Rejoice, successor of the ancient fathers;
Rejoice, new servant of Christ.
Rejoice, beauty of the Great Church;
Rejoice, hope of the world.
Rejoice, humbled by yourself, yet glorified by God;
Rejoice, who in the last days walked, yet was first established.
Rejoice, knowing the works of the tabernacle, which the whole world knows;
Rejoice, who is esteemed by heavenly reward, yet is unknown to earthly glory.
Rejoice, who lies immovable at the end, yet raises the weak;
Rejoice, who has appeared to many, yet has quenched the lamentation of death.
Rejoice, who has received two golden vessels, monasticism and priesthood, from God;
Rejoice, who has returned to Christ the gold of almsgiving and wonders.
Rejoice, O Nectar, Archbishop of God.
Condak 13
Oh, sacred head, wondrous physician, Archbishop Nectarius of God! Accept now this small, yet warm prayer of your children, who believe in the grace that dwells within you. Grant us healing from illnesses and deliver us from eternal destruction, that we may call upon our Savior Christ with joy:
Alleluia
This condak is read three times, followed by the first ikos and the first condak.
Icos 1
Having obtained the guardian angel in holy baptism, you desired from the very beginning a life equal to the angels, O our father Nectarius. Now, however, you are enjoying the vision of the glory of God with the angels, and you pray to the Lord on behalf of those who sing to you with zeal:
Rejoice, blessed fruit of venerated parents;
Rejoice, born of a mother consecrated by God.
Rejoice, one who has learned obedience from childhood;
Rejoice, one who has studied the Scriptures from youth.
Rejoice, soul animated by the words of God;
Rejoice, living scroll of divine love.
Rejoice, chosen by God for gentleness and humility;
Rejoice, one who has left the world for spiritual instruction.
Rejoice, as the storm has been calmed for you on the sea;
Rejoice, as the mast has been strengthened by your belt.
Rejoice, young eagle, possessing wise prayers;
Rejoice, doe, seeking sources of repentance.
Rejoice, Nectarius, Archbishop of God.
Condak 1
Raised Nectarius, Metropolitan of Pentapolis and Eginian wonderworker, we bring you petitions for our ailing relatives: for you have indeed appeared as a healer of cancerous sores and other illnesses, granting grace to the whole world. Therefore, we sing to you eternally with one voice and one heart:
Rejoice, Nectarius, Archbishop of God.
Molitva
Oh, wise and all-holy father Nectarius, saint of Christ, great and glorious wonderworker. We turn to you now with faith and love, bringing these praises from the depths of our heart and thoughts. You, O servant of God, have appeared as a morning star, illuminating the ends of the world with the light of Christ’s grace, which you have obtained through your humble life and gentle ways, having been granted eternal and immortal promises. Therefore, we, unworthy ones, beseech you with zeal: Oh, holy father Nectarius, do not forget us, who come to you with fervor. You are now a light, enlighten our souls, which are darkened by passions, illuminate our mind, and renew our thoughts, that we may learn from the divine and sacred rite. Establish us, O venerable father, in faith, hope, and love towards our Lord God, heal our bodily and spiritual illnesses, be our shelter and refuge in afflictions and tribulations, our guidance and correction in sins, granting us your unfeigned grace always, that we may glorify the One True God, wondrous in His saints, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.