The Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos «Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded» is a prayerful hymn that addresses the Theotokos with a request for her protection from all evils and her blessing upon our lives. Reading this akathist helps to strengthen our faith and comprehend the depth of God’s love for humanity.
Ikos 1
The angelic intercessor from heaven was sent to say to the Mother of God:
Rejoice; and with an uncreated voice, You are being contemplated by the Lord, who is filled with awe and stands in reverence, calling out to You thus:
Rejoice, through whom the radiance of joy will shine.
Rejoice, through whom the oath will be abolished.
Rejoice, the call to fallen Adam.
Rejoice, the deliverance from Eve’s tears.
Rejoice, the height that is inaccessible to human thoughts.
Rejoice, the depth that is unapproachable and unseen by angelic eyes.
Rejoice, for You are the throne of the King.
Rejoice, for You bear the One who bears all.
Rejoice, O Star, that reveals the Sun.
Rejoice, the womb of the divine Incarnation.
Rejoice, through whom creation is renewed.
Rejoice, through whom we worship the Creator.
Rejoice, O Bride, who is unwedded.
Kondak 2
Beholding Your purity, the holy Gabriel boldly says to You: The sound of Your glory is unbearable to my soul, for You speak of the birth of the Unbegotten, saying:
Alleluia
Ikos 2
The incomprehensible mind of the Virgin seeks to understand, and cries out to the servant: How can the Son be born from Your pure side with mighty power? The angel replied with fear, yet saying thus:
Rejoice, O Mystery of the Unutterable Counsel.
Rejoice, O Silence of those seeking faith.
Rejoice, the beginning of Christ’s wonders.
Rejoice, the highest decree of His will.
Rejoice, the heavenly ladder, by which God descended.
Rejoice, the bridge, that conveys those from earth to heaven.
Rejoice, the wondrous miracle of the many words of the Angels.
Rejoice, the defeat of the many lamentations of the demons.
Rejoice, O Light, that was born without a father.
Rejoice, O One, who has taught nothing to anyone.
Rejoice, O One, who surpasses the wisdom of the wise.
Rejoice, O One, who illuminates the understanding of the faithful.
Rejoice, O Bride, who is unwedded.
Kondak 3
The power of the Most High came to the marriage bed, and the fruitful womb of You, O Virgin, became a sweet sowing field, showing to all who desire salvation, saying thus:
Alleluia
Ikos 3
Having received the womb of the God-pleasing Virgin, you appeared to Elizabeth: but the infant within her, having already perceived the kiss of the Lord, rejoiced and, as if singing hymns, cried out to the Theotokos:
Rejoice, O branch of the unwithering rose.
Rejoice, O fruit of the immortal harvest.
Rejoice, O doer of the deeds of the Lover of Mankind.
Rejoice, O one who gave birth to our life-giving Savior.
Rejoice, O field that nourishes the harvest of God’s bounty.
Rejoice, O table that bears the abundance of purification.
Rejoice, O paradise that flourishes with spiritual nourishment.
Rejoice, O haven that prepares a resting place for souls.
Rejoice, O fragrant incense of pleasing prayers.
Rejoice, O cleansing of the whole world.
Rejoice, O benevolence of God towards mortals.
Rejoice, O boldness of mortals towards God.
Rejoice, O Bride of the Bridegroom.
Condk 4
Having been troubled by the tumult of vain thoughts, the chaste Joseph exclaimed to you, O Immaculate One, as if addressing a virgin, and thinking of the one who had been stolen away in marriage: “When he learned of your conception by the Holy Spirit, he said:
Alleluia
Ikos 4
The shepherds heard the angelic choir singing the incarnation of the Lord in the flesh, and, as if hastening to the Shepherd, they saw this same infant as a spotless lamb, who had escaped in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and they exclaimed:
Rejoice, O Mother of the Lamb and the Shepherd.
Rejoice, O dwelling place of the flock of the word.
Rejoice, O torment of the invisible enemies.
Rejoice, O opening of the gates of paradise.
Rejoice, O heavenly joy that is born of earthly things.
Rejoice, O earthly manifestation of heavenly things.
Rejoice, O unceasing mouth of the apostles.
Rejoice, O unvanquished boldness of the martyrs.
Rejoice, O firm foundation of faith.
Rejoice, O knowledge of divine grace.
Rejoice, O one who has stripped the devil bare.
Rejoice, O one who has clothed us in glory.
Rejoice, O Bride of the Bridegroom.
Condk 5
Having seen the star of the God-bearing Virgin, the Magi followed it, and, holding it as a lamp, they experienced the strong King, and, having reached the Incomprehensible, they rejoiced, exclaiming to Him:
Alleluia
Ikos 5
Beholding the Chaldean elders on the hand of the Maiden, the Creator of humanity, and the Ruler, who is wise, though a servant may behold Your glory, they hastened to serve You and to cry out to You, O Most Blessed One:
Rejoice, Star of the Unfading Maiden.
Rejoice, Dawn of the Mystical Day.
Rejoice, Beauty of the extinguished cave.
Rejoice, Illuminator of the mysteries of the Trinity.
Rejoice, Destroyer of the merciless tormentor.
Rejoice, One who showed the Lord, the Lover of Humanity.
Rejoice, Liberator from the barbarian service.
Rejoice, One who took away the timorous deeds.
Rejoice, One who extinguished the worship of fire.
Rejoice, One who changed the flame of passions.
Rejoice, Guide of the chaste.
Rejoice, Joy of all generations.
Rejoice, Unwedded Bride.
Condakion 6
The holy prophets, who were once in Babylon, having completed Your prophecy, and having preached You to all, left behind the wicked Herod, who was not worthy to know You:
Alleluia
Ikos 6
Shining forth in Egypt, You brought forth the enlightenment of truth, and drove away the darkness of falsehood: idols, O Savior, which could not endure Your strength, fell down, and those who were delivered from them cry out to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, Correction of humanity.
Rejoice, Downfall of demons.
Rejoice, One who corrected the power.
Rejoice, One who exposed the deceit of idols.
Rejoice, Sea, which drowned the thinking Pharaoh.
Rejoice, Rock, which quenched the thirst of those seeking life.
Rejoice, Fiery pillar, guiding those in darkness.
Rejoice, Shelter of the world, wider than a cloud.
Rejoice, Food, Manna of the Receiver.
Rejoice, Holy Servant, Sweetness.
Rejoice, Land of promise.
Rejoice, From which honey and milk flow.
Rejoice, Unwedded Bride.
Condakion 7
Wishing to depart from this age, Simeon, in his beauty, You were given to him as an infant, but You were recognized by him as the perfect God. Therefore, he was amazed at Your incomprehensible wisdom, and cried out:
Alleluia
Ikos 7
Manifest thyself to us, O Creator, as the one who from the unseeded womb of the Theotokos, and preserving her as she was, has wrought a wonder, that beholding it, we may hymn thee, crying out:
Rejoice, flower of incorruption.
Rejoice, crown of self-control.
Rejoice, image of the Resurrection, anointing the flesh.
Rejoice, angelic life, manifesting itself.
Rejoice, fruitful tree of light, from which the faithful are nourished.
Rejoice, tree of good counsel, overshadowing many.
Rejoice, womb bearing the Savior of the captives.
Rejoice, one who has given birth to the Guide of the erring.
Rejoice, Judge of the righteous, hearing our supplication.
Rejoice, forgiver of many transgressions.
Rejoice, garment of boldness for the naked.
Rejoice, one who conquers every desire.
Rejoice, Bride of the Bridegroom.
Kondak 8
Beholding the strange birth, let us remove ourselves from the world, transferring our mind to the heavens: for the high God has appeared on earth, humbled, desiring to draw near to the heights those who cry out:
Alleluia
Ikos 8
The Unutterable Word was in the lower and higher realms, and did not depart from them: for the divine descent was not a local transition, but the birth from the God-receiving Virgin, hearing which:
Rejoice, receptacle of the God who cannot be contained.
Rejoice, doors of the holy mystery.
Rejoice, strange and wondrous hearing for the unfaithful.
Rejoice, known praise of the faithful.
Rejoice, chariot of the Most Holy, borne on Cherubim.
Rejoice, glorious habitation of the Most Holy, borne on Seraphim.
Rejoice, one who has gathered together those who are far off.
Rejoice, one who has combined virginity and birth.
Rejoice, one through whom transgression has been resolved.
Rejoice, one through whom paradise has been opened.
Rejoice, key of the Kingdom of Christ.
Rejoice, hope of eternal blessings.
Rejoice, Bride of the Bridegroom.
Condak 9
All angelic nature is astonished at Your great work of incarnation; for, beholding You as the Unapproachable God, You have become approachable as a Man, thus becoming our fellow-sufferer. And when hearing from all:
Alleluia
Icos 9
Formerly, O Theotokos, you were seen as a many-faceted, speechless fish, and people were perplexed as to how you, remaining a Virgin, could give birth. We, however, marveling at the mystery, rightly cry out:
Glorify, O, the dwelling place of God’s wisdom.
Glorify, O, the treasure of His providence.
Glorify, O, the one who reveals the wise as foolish.
Glorify, O, the one who uncovers the cunning as speechless.
Glorify, O, the one who has bound the lovers of deceit.
Glorify, O, the one who has dried up the babblers.
Glorify, O, the one who has torn apart the nets of the fishermen.
Glorify, O, the one who has drawn up from the depths of ignorance.
Glorify, O, the one who enlightens many in understanding.
Glorify, O, the harbor of those seeking salvation.
Glorify, O, the refuge of life’s journey.
Glorify, O, the Bride of the Bridegroom.
Condak 10
Although You came to save the world, the One who adorns all, You came to us, and as God, You have appeared as a Man for our sake. Calling the like to Himself, as God, You hear:
Alleluia
Icos 10
You are a wall, O Virgin Theotokos, for maidens, and a refuge for all who come to You. For the Creator of heaven and earth has established You, O Immaculate One, and has dwelled within Your womb, and has taught all to invite You:
Glorify, O, the pillar of virginity.
Glorify, O, the door of salvation.
Glorify, O, the leader of the heavenly assembly.
Glorify, O, the bestower of divine blessings.
Glorify, O, for You have renewed the cold of barrenness.
Glorify, O, for You have punished those who have been deceived.
Glorify, O, the one who has nourished the barren.
Glorify, O, the one who has sown the seeds of purity.
Glorify, O, the one who has brought forth the fruit of the unfruitful.
Glorify, O, the one who has joined the faithful to God.
Glorify, O, the good nurse of maidens.
Glorify, O, the beautifier of the souls of the saints.
Glorify, O, the Bride of the Bridegroom.
Kondak 11
Every form of song is vanquished, and we, who aspire to the multitude of Your bounties, O King Most Holy, confess that our hymns, though numerous, are as nothing compared to what You have given us, and we cry out to You:
Alleluia
Icos 11
The light-bearing candle, which has appeared in the midst of darkness, reveals to us the Holy Virgin, for she is the one who ignites the uncreated fire, guiding all to the divine understanding, enlightening the mind, and being revered by her name:
Rejoice, O ray of the wise Sun.
Rejoice, O light of the unapproachable Light.
Rejoice, O lightning that enlightens the soul.
Rejoice, O thunder that strikes fear into the hearts of enemies.
Rejoice, O many-rayed light that shines forth enlightenment.
Rejoice, O fountain that flows with a boundless river.
Rejoice, O baptismal font that portrays the image.
Rejoice, O purifier of the stain of sin.
Rejoice, O bath that cleanses the conscience.
Rejoice, O chalice that pours forth joy.
Rejoice, O fragrance of the sweet aroma of Christ.
Rejoice, O vessel of the hidden joy.
Rejoice, O Bride of the Bridegroom.
Kondak 12
Having desired to grant us grace, You, the decisive Man, have come to those who have departed from You, and, tearing apart the written record, You hear from all the same thing:
Alleluia
Icos 12
Singing Your Nativity, we all praise You, O God-bearer, as the living temple, for it is in Your womb that the Lord dwells, guiding, sanctifying, glorifying, and teaching all to cry out to You:
Rejoice, O habitation of God and the Word.
Rejoice, O great and holy of holies.
Rejoice, O treasure chest adorned with the Spirit.
Rejoice, O inexhaustible treasure of life.
Rejoice, O crown of the righteous kings.
Rejoice, O praise of the reverent priests.
Rejoice, O unshakeable pillar of the Church.
Rejoice, O unshakeable wall of the Kingdom.
Rejoice, O one through whom victories are achieved.
Rejoice, O one through whom enemies are defeated.
Rejoice, O healing of my body.
Rejoice, O salvation of my soul.
Rejoice, O Bride of the Bridegroom.
Kondak 13
O All-Pure Mother, who hast given birth to all the saints by the Most Holy Word! Accepting this present offering, deliver us from all present afflictions, and future torments, O Thee who are invoked by us:
Alleluia
(This kondak is read three times, followed by Ikos 1 and kondak 1)
Molitva
O Most Holy Lady, Sovereign Lady, Mother of God, thou art higher than all angels and archangels, and more glorious than all creation. Thou art a helper of the afflicted, a hope of the hopeless, a protector of the poor, a comforter of the sorrowful, a nourisher of the hungry, a clothing for the naked, a healer of the sick, a savior of sinners, a helper and protector of all Christians. O All-Merciful Lady, Mother of God, Sovereign Lady, by Thy mercy, save and have mercy on the most holy patriarchs of the Orthodox, the most reverend metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops, and on the entire clergy and monastic order, and on all Orthodox Christians, cover them with Thy holy mantle of protection. And pray, O Lady, from Thee, where the Christ, our God, was incarnate without seed, may He clothe us with His power from above, to overcome our invisible and visible enemies. O All-Merciful Lady, Mother of God, Sovereign Lady! Raise us up from the depths of our sinful state, and deliver us from hunger, destruction, from fear and flood, from fire and sword, from the hands of foreigners and civil strife, and from vain death, and from the attack of the enemy, and from deadly winds, and from mortal wounds, and from all evil. Grant, O Lady, peace and health to Thy servants, to all Orthodox Christians, and enlighten their minds, and their hearts’ eyes, for their salvation. And enable us, Thy sinful servants, to attain the Kingdom of Thy Son, Christ our God: for His dominion is blessed and glorified, with His Father, who is without beginning, and with His Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.