Akathist to Hieromartyr Ierophan, Bishop of Ostrog

The Akathist to Hieromartyr Ierophan, Bishop of Ostrog is a prayer read in memory of the life and deeds of this outstanding Orthodox figure. Hieromartyr Ierophan was known for his profound understanding of Divine Scripture and his desire to teach others. Reading this akathist helps us to deepen our understanding of the saint’s life and receive his spiritual guidance.

Condak 1

Most blessed hieromonk and good pastor, renowned teacher and enlightener, our venerable father Hierotheus! We venerate you with love and extol you with praise: you remained steadfastly faithful to Christ in that hour, ceaselessly proclaiming the truth, and visiting those in prison without fail.

Therefore, we beseech you: do not cease praying, remembering your children, that the Lord may have mercy and save those who sing your praise:

Rejoice, venerable father Hierotheus, glory of the monastery of Dermanski and establishment of the Orthodox faith in Volyn.

Icos 1

Since you loved the Lord Jesus with all your heart, you rivaled Him, most blessed father Hierotheus, from youth you chose the Orthodox faith, preserved piety and loyalty to Christ God, and were nourished with the waters of wisdom from the Source of knowledge.

All these labors you accomplished for the glory of the Living Godhead, that you might attain an inexhaustible treasure. For this reason, we call out to you with joy:

Rejoice, blessed son of pious parents, chosen by God.

Rejoice, fragrant flower of good upbringing.

Rejoice, soul adorned with youthful meekness.

Rejoice, one who was diligent in prayer and obedience from youth.

Rejoice, one who loved a pure life from youth.

Rejoice, one who cultivated faith and love in your heart.

Rejoice, one who submitted your will to the will of God.

Rejoice, one who enriched your mind with good knowledge from youth.

Rejoice, venerable father Hierotheus, glory of the monastery of Dermanski and establishment of the Orthodox faith in Volyn.

Condak 2

Seeing the Church torn apart by the Latins, you did not fear, venerable Hierotheus, but joyfully accepted the sweet yoke and the easy burden of Christ, and also taught others to do the same.

Therefore, the Lord will accomplish you as a faithful and gentle shepherd, to save His flock. For this reason, we give thanks to God with joy:

Alleluia

Icos 2

Most wondrous father, you had a diligent concern for the souls of Christ’s children, guarding them from the destructive heresies and other snares of the wicked wolf.

With your teachings and instructions, you planted the true faith in their hearts. Christians who love God, who are mindful of your zeal for their salvation, sing to you with love:

Rejoice, guardian of prayers and fasting.

Rejoice, unwavering follower of the Lord.

Rejoice, sower of true reverence for God.

Rejoice, glorious guardian of the purity of faith.

Rejoice, ruler of Christian piety.

Rejoice, fearless servant of the Church of God.

Rejoice, unwavering wise teacher.

Rejoice, blessed enlightener of the people.

Rejoice, venerable father Hierotheus, glory of the monastery of Dermanski and establishment of the Orthodox faith in Volyn.

Condak 3

Revered child of the presbyter Theodore, from infancy you received the divine power and, as a brilliant lamp, you shone forth in the dark hour, O Father Hierotheus, enlightening and sanctifying our land with the light of Christ.

Before receiving the angelic dignity, you were destined to be a warrior of the spirit, adorned with many knowledge and talents, endowed by the future Archbishop Christ, to Whom you will eternally sing the hymn of rejoicing:

Alleluia

Icos 3

How great was your desire for the unceasing ascent of the spiritual ladder, O Hierotheus, when your mind and heart were entirely devoted to the praise of God, and you acquired true obedience and great knowledge.

When you directed your steps towards the path of monastic endeavor, being called Hierotheus, as one truly consecrated to God, the Most Holy One, we marvel at your providence and extol you:

Rejoice, vessel of purity, entirely consecrated to God.

Rejoice, lamp of Christ, adorned with wisdom.

Rejoice, ascetic of many labors, enriched with knowledge.

Rejoice, endowed with the grace of God.

Rejoice, faithful servant of the Lord, full of reverence.

Rejoice, diligent builder of the Zagački monastery.

Rejoice, renowned teacher of the divine words.

Rejoice, guardian of angelic purity.

Rejoice, holy Father Hierotheus, glory of the Dermański monastery and establishment of the Volyn land in Orthodoxy.

Condak 4

The turmoil and storms of life, the battles and persecutions, you cast into the depths of sorrow, O Hierotheus, shining lamp of purity and wisdom.

When, because of the false accusations, you were unjustly removed from the office of teacher, O loving father, you endured all with patience, comforting your spiritual children with the words of Christ, and singing with joy:

Alleluia

Icos 4

You loved the beauty of the church, as the place of the dwelling of the glory of God, and, with all your heart, you restored the Dermański monastery, the land of Zagaci, to its former glory, O holy Father Hierotheus.

With humility, you bore the cross, and with many sciences, you nourished your mind, as with food, and, free from idleness, you were filled with joy and thanksgiving, for the Lord granted you the time of solitude.

Therefore, extolling your meekness and great spirit, we praise you with these words:

Rejoice, good and loving pastor.

Rejoice, strong in spirit, Christian teacher.

Rejoice, one who received slanders with humility.

Rejoice, one who endured insults with meekness.

Rejoice, one who sought the truth of God through good works.

Rejoice, one who comforted your heart with the words of Stephen the Confessor.

Rejoice, one who performed your service with reverence.

Rejoice, one who reverently buried the relics of Archbishop Daniel.

Rejoice, holy Father Hierotheus, glory of the Dermański monastery and establishment of the Volyn land in Orthodoxy.

Condak 5

Thou faithful shepherd of the Church of Christ, rich in humility, O blessed Father Ierofei, thou didst receive the divine will with meekness – the true cross.

Thou didst renovate and glorify the monastery of Dermanska, as a skilled builder, with the solicitude of the Father.

This monastery, like the phoenix from the ashes, riseth, wherein we are warmed by thy love, and we give thanks to God:

Alleluia

Icos 5

And thy angelic manner, O holy one, having been seen, I, a sinner, have come to know thee, filled with love, thy spiritual eyes lifted up to heaven, praying unceasingly to Christ.

However, dwelling in the heavens, thou didst not leave the monastery of Dermanska, wherein thou didst not only found a spiritual school, shining like beacons of piety, but also didst turn thy knowledge to the needs of the Church, O wise one.

Therefore, truly, we honor thee as a good shepherd and a light of understanding, offering thee the following:

Rejoice, faithful guardian of apostolic tradition.

Rejoice, unshakeable fulfiller of the pastoral duty.

Rejoice, reverent renovator of monasteries.

Rejoice, wondrous teacher of monastic self-control.

Rejoice, marvelous dispenser of God’s grace.

Rejoice, vigilant champion of the Church.

Rejoice, steadfast defender of Orthodoxy.

Rejoice, wise laborer in the Lord’s vineyard.

Rejoice, blessed Father Ierofei, glory of the monastery of Dermanska and establishment of the land of Volyn in Orthodoxy.

Condak 6

We shall extol thee with love, as a blessed pastor and teacher of ours, for thy life, O holy Father Ierofei, hath been a true preaching of the Christian faith.

Thou didst dwell in all piety and purity, filled with meekness and non-anger, a vessel of the Holy Spirit’s grace, free from the poison of vainglory, unshakeably believing in the all-good providence of God, and crying out to Him:

Alleluia

Icos 6

And thou, O holy Father Ierofei, art a treasure not to be exhausted, a shining star in thy native land, establishing thy people in the Orthodox faith and good works, and rooting out the Latin heresy and schisms with the sword of the Word of God.

Therefore, the Lord doth glorify thee with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, with which thou didst labor in the glory of the Lord.

We marvel at God’s providence concerning thee, and we loudly proclaim thy praises:

Rejoice, ruler of the soul’s and body’s purity.

Rejoice, gatherer of the fruit of wisdom from youth.

Rejoice, wondrous healer of incurable diseases.

Rejoice, one who thinketh on the things of heaven.

Rejoice, great comforter of the sorrowful.

Rejoice, one who softens the hard-hearted with thy gentleness.

Rejoice, one who, with love, rebuketh the face of the sinner.

Rejoice, one who secretly forgiveth those who have sinned against thee.

Rejoice, blessed Father Ierofei, glory of the monastery of Dermanska and establishment of the land of Volyn in Orthodoxy.

Condak 7

Dearest Father Hierofei, though with all thy heart thou dost labour for the one Lord, thou hast not counted thyself worthy of any reward, but hast applied thyself to toil upon toil in humility and meekness, and hast slain thy flesh by fasting and vigil, and hast acquired boldness in prayer, calling upon all to acknowledge the Orthodox God, who is one in the Trinity, and to hymn Him:

Alleluia

Icos 7

Thou hast shown us, O new champion and intercessor, whom the Lord hath revealed to us sinners, a warm lover of souls, a defender of the Orthodox faith, a wise champion of truth, a good shepherd of the flock of Christ, a zealous seeker after erring souls, O wondrous Father Hierofei, thou art truly worthy of such praise:

Rejoice, thou lamp of faith, burning and shining.

Rejoice, thou enlightener of the darkened by sin.

Rejoice, thou faithful cultivator of the vineyard of Christ.

Rejoice, thou zealous intercessor before God for us.

Rejoice, thou bringer of peace to Christ’s flock.

Rejoice, thou glorious confuter of the evil of union.

Rejoice, thou one who hast attained the whole obedience of the archpastors.

Rejoice, thou one who hast fulfilled thy service with all diligence.

Rejoice, O holy Father Hierofei, thou ornament of the monastery of Dermanski, and thou establisher of the Orthodox faith in the land of Volyn.

Condak 8

Thou hast loved all with thy heart, O blessed Father Hierofei, and hast renewed and beautified the monastery of Dermanski, and though thou didst think of thyself as a stranger in this world, the Lord did not leave thee, but gave thee comfort in this holy place, and therefore rejoice, O sweet one, in singing a hymn to God:

Alleluia

Icos 8

Thou hast been all things to all, that thou mightest bring many to Christ, and therefore the Lord hath appointed thee a saint of the Church. As bishop, thou hast preached the word, instructed, reproved, and exhorted with all patience and teaching, and with great paternal solicitude. After thy departure, we have gathered to thee from all the ends of the earth, in the bounds of the land of Volyn, to make a reverent and supplicatory prayer to thee. Look upon our prayers, O hierarch, and help us to hymn the Lord, that we may thank thee:

Rejoice, thou one who hast been appointed by the Spirit of God to be a presbyter.

Rejoice, thou one who hast stood firm in the faith and in righteousness.

Rejoice, thou one who hast been a speedy helper in times of trouble and affliction.

Rejoice, thou one who hast been a faithful intercessor for all who come to thee.

Rejoice, thou one who hast been richly endowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, thou one who hast received all who are in need as thy own.

Rejoice, thou one who hast shown thyself a helper to the poor and the needy.

Rejoice, thou one who hast shown thyself a lover of those who are imprisoned.

Rejoice, O holy Father Hierofei, thou ornament of the monastery of Dermanski, and thou establisher of the Orthodox faith in the land of Volyn.

Condak 9

Thou hast been sanctified by God, O Father Hierotheos, and hast astonished every nature, for having loved one God, thou hast sought Him through thy life of equal angelic virtue, and hast endured sufferings and toils in life, and disease in thy old age with manly courage, and hast accomplished the earthly journey well, and hast been made worthy of blessed repose, and dost enjoy and hymn the most holy Trinity on high:

Alleluia

Icos 9

It is not possible to express the multitude of thy virtues and labors, O glorious Hierotheos, in words, that the glory of the Lord may be made manifest through thee. And therefore, the hearts of the faithful are filled with compassion and gratitude, and we beseech thee, O blessed one, with the prayers of those who approach thy relics, and with hymns of praise, to vouchsafe to us thus:

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who dost quench the thirst of those who seek salvation with waters of piety.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who dost enlighten those who are faithful to the light of wisdom and the knowledge of God.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who dost emulate thy fellow-countryman, the holy Hierotheos, the saint.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who dost consecrate a house in honor of this servant of God.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who dost venerate this servant of God with reverence in thy earthly life.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who dost acquire the gift of miracles after thy departure.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who dost unite thyself with Christ.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who dost manifest thyself as a warm intercessor before God.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, O father, thou hast become a glory and a confirmation of the monastery of Derman and the land of Volyn in Orthodoxy.

Condak 10

Having the hope of salvation, O Hierotheos, servant of God, in the days of Paschal joy, thou didst serve the holy services in the monastery of Derman, overcoming the weakness of old age, and here, having been instructed by the Holy Mysteries, thou didst rest in the Lord with a righteous and holy departure, and didst cause the land of Volyn to lament thy departure. But we believe that thou dost remain with us, O holy one, in thy spirit, and dost pray to God on behalf of those who hymn Him: Alleluia.

Icos 10

Thou art a glorious guide in piety, a founder of Christian schools, and a protector, O wondrous Hierotheos, O father. Thou art a wall of protection for all who come to thee in life, and after thy departure, thou dost not leave us, O Hierotheos, with thy intercession. Thou dost not cease to intercede for us at the throne of the Most High, and thou dost provide us with an unceasing help from God. We thank thee, O Hierotheos, as a zealous intercessor for our souls, and we sing to thee thus:

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who hast labored with diligence on the Lord’s vineyard.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who hast struggled with zeal for Christ.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who hast become an unwithering branch of the Church, bearing many fruits.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who dost offer the incense of prayer to God.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who hast loved God with all thy heart from thy early years.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who hast remained faithful to Him to the end of thy days.

Rejoice, O Hierotheos, who hast

Condak 11

We venerate you, O holy Father Ierofey, and magnify you with hymns, O saintly hierarch, for the Church on earth honors you and glorifies you with hymns.

However, the Heavenly Church is not adorned by you, for we, the weak, offer you worthy hymns, O Christ’s servant, and entreat you not to despise our small prayer, O unworthy child of yours, who reverently kisses your holy relics and icon, and with devotion sings to God:

Alleluia

Icos 11

You, O holy Father Ierofey, are a radiant lamp of the True Light, appearing to those on earth, illuminating the hearts of the faithful and guiding them to the understanding of the divine, enriching them with the riches of reason and the treasure of the Gospel, which is imperishable.

By the will of God, you chose to live out your final days in Dermana, and for this reason, this holy community has been spiritually enriched, where we, with heartfelt prayer, approach your life-giving relics and with tears, invoke you thus:

Rejoice, O pure possessor of the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, O dispenser of the spiritual pearl of words.

Rejoice, O diligent guardian of those who pray to you with faith.

Rejoice, O merciful healer of those suffering in body and soul.

Rejoice, O guardian of the dwellings and churches of God.

Rejoice, O steadfast protector of the Orthodox faith.

Rejoice, O good helper of those in distress and affliction.

Rejoice, O swift helper of those burdened and embittered.

Rejoice, O holy Father Ierofey, glory of the Dermanska community and establishment of the Volyn land in Orthodoxy.

Condak 12

Your holy and incorrupt relics, O holy Father Ierofey, are a treasure of God’s grace, from which the power of God has flowed forth, performing miracles beyond the sand of the sea.

We believe, O holy one, that you are not with us, as you were before, but through your prayers, you preserve us from all evil. Therefore, we bow down to the holy place, where your holy body rests in honor, and sing to God:

Alleluia

Icos 12

We hymn your blessed life, O holy Father Ierofey, and many glorious deeds that have taken place within it, for you have worked in the glory of God, and we praise your wisdom, your pastoral gentleness, and your sincere humility.

We entreat you: do not despise our unworthy praises, with which we dare to honor you from our zeal, but graciously listen to those who call out to you with all their heart, and hymn you thus:

Rejoice, O eternal beauty of the Volyn land.

Rejoice, O inexhaustible treasure of grace.

Rejoice, O good pastor, gentle and humble.

Rejoice, O blessed dispenser of heavenly blessings.

Rejoice, O guardian who always preserves your flock.

Rejoice, O our strong hope, founded on God and the Theotokos.

Rejoice, O beautiful ornament of the Orthodox Church.

Rejoice, O holy Father Ierofey, glory of the Dermanska community and establishment of the Volyn land in Orthodoxy.

Condak 13

Oh, most glorious saint of Christ, blessed father of ours, Hierotheus! In your compassion

do not despise those who approach you, but through your intercession, preserve your habitation

from visible and invisible enemies, and graciously bestow your aid upon those who strive

in it according to God’s will. To all who come to venerate you in prayer, and to all who

invoke you in supplication throughout the world, grant paternal blessing, O father, that

they may complete their life in every virtue and purity, confessing Christ, the true God,

without fear and with faith, and that with you and all the saints, we may sing to Him:

Alleluia.

This condak is recited three times, followed by the first ikos and the first condak.

First Prayer

O radiant lamp of the land of Volyn, great hierarch of Christ, blessed father Hierotheus,

filled with the wisdom of the Lord, a golden trumpet of the Holy Spirit, you have

received many and diverse gifts from the Lord, and, as a faithful and obedient servant,

you have multiplied the talents entrusted to you, thereby serving the Church of Christ

and our fatherland with glory. We, however, have great boldness before the Holy Trinity.

Therefore, we turn to you, and, approaching your revered icon [or: your holy relics],

we beseech you: look upon us, sinful ones, with mercy, and show us your great mercy;

reveal your warm intercession to us, and raise fervent prayers to the Lord on behalf of

your flock, that He may cover and preserve the Dormition Monastery of the Most Holy

Trinity, where sisters seek salvation, and all who come to venerate it in prayer, and

graciously bestow great mercy upon your people. Look upon us, O most revered father,

from the heights of the heavens, upon us, weak and many times fallen, and beseech the

Lord, the Almighty, to turn away His wrath from us, which is justly directed against us,

and to turn us to the path of repentance. May He destroy the seduction of the enemy,

the wickedness of heresy, and the schisms, and may He protect us from the snares of the

world and the wiles of the devil. You, O strong pillar of the Church, chosen vessel of

goodness, ask from the Father the light of the ages, that He may deliver us from

unbelief and superstition, establish us in the saving faith of Orthodoxy, and convert

those who are in error to the knowledge of the truth. May He grant you, O righteous

pastor, the gift of righteousness and zeal for the salvation of the Church, and may He

strengthen the monks in their ascetic struggle, bring peace to the earth, and free our land

from strife and turmoil. Oh, warm and wondrous intercessor, O father Hierotheus, our

intercessor, obtain for us from the Lord God health of soul and body, time for repentance

and amendment, a peaceful and tranquil life, and in all necessities, sorrows, and

temptations, comfort and speedy help. May we be worthy to inherit the Kingdom of

Heaven, where we shall glorify together with you the Benefactor of all good, the

Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of

ages. Amen.

Prayer the Second

Oh, good shepherd and glorious teacher, swift helper and warm comforter of the souls of the Volyn land, blessed servant of God, most compassionate father of ours, Hierotheus! Having great boldness before the throne of the Almighty, do not leave us, who come to you with love and faith. You have kindled the fire of divine love in your heart towards the Lord, having consecrated your life entirely to God, and have obtained a profound understanding and glorious wisdom, and have acquired spiritual poverty, as a good servant, you have performed works pleasing to God with humility and meekness, and therefore the Lord has bestowed upon you the gifts of the Holy Spirit, by which you have wrought many miracles. Hail, wondrous saint Hierotheus! We beseech you with diligence, look upon us, who stand before you, and by the grace given to you by God, strengthen the monks who struggle in the ascetic life, heal our souls, which have been wounded by sin, and heal our bodies, which are afflicted with many diseases, enlighten the young, and support the elderly, provide for the poor and the destitute, preserve the marriage faithfully, teach us to bring up our children in the Orthodox faith, that we may not depart from the truth, but steadfastly confess Christ the God. Pray to the All-beneficent God, that He may establish our homeland in Orthodoxy, and grant us true repentance, genuine love, and sincere brotherly love, that we may praise and hymn with one mouth and one heart the all-holy and glorious name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Brief Prayer

Oh, wise father Hierotheus, glorious ornament of the saints, we humbly pray to you: do not leave us, your children, but be always with us. Grant us salvation and eternal life, extinguish the flame of heretical and schismatic pride, grant us health, send down a blessing on the air, and bestow an abundance of earthly fruits. Enlighten our eyes, that we may avoid the snares of sin. Visit, holy one, our weakness, instruct and correct us, that we may not depart from the love of God. We believe that your prayer never ceases, and therefore, we sing this hymn to you, as our duty, and we praise you, and offer to you a worthy song, saying: We glorify you, saint; we hymn you, luminary; we offer to you a litany of prayer, father Hierotheus! Pray to the God, who is glorified in the Trinity, for all who celebrate your holy memory, that they may be worthy to praise the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, together with you, eternally. Amen.