The Akathist to Saint Dimitrios of Thessaloniki is a prayer that helps us to deepen our understanding of the life and death of this great saint. Reading this akathist helps us to gain strength to fight our own struggles and temptations, and to receive protection and safeguard from all dangers.
Conduct 1
We praise you, O wondrous commander of the city of Thessalonica, great servant of Christ and glorious sufferer, Saint Dimitrius, pouring forth universal mercy, we extol your blessed memory, O those who venerate you.
Rejoice, O Saint Dimitrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Ikos 1
O Creator and Lord of the Angels, Thou hast shown Thyself to thee, O most gracious one, angel in the flesh, steadfast and strong martyr and intercessor for the faithful. Therefore, we who flee to thy protection, offer thee joyful hymns:
Rejoice, O star shining brightly on the firmament of the Church;
Rejoice, O lamp, illuminating the world with wonders.
Rejoice, O unshakeable pillar of faith;
Rejoice, O impenetrable shield of Christians.
Rejoice, O radiant ornament of Thessaly;
Rejoice, O glorious pride of Thessalonica.
Rejoice, O fellow citizen of the Apostles;
Rejoice, O fellow sufferer with the martyrs.
Rejoice, O one who receives the supplications of those who pray to thee;
Rejoice, O one who intercedes for us all to God.
Rejoice, O Saint Dimitrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Conduct 2
Beholding thyself childless, thy pious parents, with fervent prayer, besought God for the gift of a child. And the All-Highest, accepting their prayer, and remembering the mercies which Thou didst show to the poor, didst grant them to thee, O blessed one. Therefore, with joy, they cry out to God:
Alleluia
Ikos 2
Having the divine mind, as a child blessed by God, thou didst despise the allurements of paganism, O wise one. Thou didst love thy parents’ piety, and, by virtues, as by a ladder, didst ascend from strength to strength, and didst obtain the divine grace, which thou didst ask for us, who venerate thee with these titles:
Rejoice, O fountain of prayer for the pious;
Rejoice, O heir of their piety.
Rejoice, O one who, by thy birth, didst gladden many;
Rejoice, O one who, from the womb of thy mother, was filled with the blessings from above.
Rejoice, O fragrant flower of virginity and incorruption;
Rejoice, O one who was enlightened in soul and body.
Rejoice, O vessel of the gifts of God;
Rejoice, O one who, from youth, didst despise idolatry.
Rejoice, O one who didst love true worship even unto death;
Rejoice, O one who didst please Christ by thy piety.
Rejoice, O one who didst bring forth many fruits by His grace;
Rejoice, O Saint Dimitrius, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Condak 3
By the power of the Most High, thou, O Dimitri, wert made brave in battle, feared by thine enemies, and renowned among all men. For this reason, the wicked Emperor Maximian entrusted unto thee the city of Thessalonica, commanding thee, as a wise and prudent leader, to persecute those who worship God:
Alleluia
Icos 3
Having a zeal for piety, thou didst openly confess Christ, the Savior, and didst teach those who did not believe to worship Him. And as a second Paul, thou wert to the Thessalonians, with them thou didst cry out to thee:
Rejoice, O precious gem of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, ornament of thy city.
Rejoice, thou who dost bear divine zeal in thy heart;
Rejoice, thou who dost conquer the cunning of thy tormentors.
Rejoice, thou who dost expose the deceit of idols;
Rejoice, thou who dost pierce the thorn of idolatry.
Rejoice, thou who dost teach piety;
Rejoice, thou who dost guide those on the path of salvation.
Rejoice, thou who art inaccessible to visible and invisible enemies;
Rejoice, thou who art invincible in battle for Christ.
Rejoice, O holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Condak 4
When the tempest of wicked thoughts assailed thee, O righteous one, the impious Emperor Maximian was shaken, learning that thou wert returning to thy former state as a servant of Christ, leading those who were astray back to the faith, and destroying idols, and teaching the Thessalonians to glorify the holy name of the Trinity and to pray to Him:
Alleluia
Icos 4
When thou didst hear that the Emperor Maximian, filled with wrath, was coming to Thessalonica, thou didst prepare thyself for martyrdom by prayer and fasting, commanding thy faithful servant Lupus to distribute all thy possessions and wealth to the poor. Therefore, we, with love, call out to thee, glorifying thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst not fear the threats of thy tormentors;
Rejoice, thou who didst acquire Christ, having given away all.
Rejoice, thou who didst despise the fleeting glory of this world;
Rejoice, thou who didst receive the heavenly glory from Christ our God.
Rejoice, thou who didst stand by all who sought thy aid;
Rejoice, thou who art a speedy helper to those in need.
Rejoice, thou who dost enrich the poor;
Rejoice, thou who dost intercede for the destitute.
Rejoice, thou who dost assist the needy;
Rejoice, thou who dost nourish the hungry.
Rejoice, O holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Кондак 5
Like unto the star, O most divine, thou didst shine forth, O Dimitri, boldly proclaiming the Sun of Truth to the emperor enthralled by darkness. Even in the very prison where thou wast confined, thou didst hymn the praise of Christ our God with joy, saying:
Alleluia
Икос 5
Beholding the torrent of evil, O most blessed one, the devil, the enemy of good, didst see that his wickedness would soon come to an end, and that he would be consumed by envy. He didst assail thee in the form of a scorpion, but thou, O Dimitri, didst see him in the great light of the angel of the Lord, who didst strengthen thee and bestow upon thee the crown of paradise. Therefore, accept from us, lowly mortals, this small wreath of praise:
Radiant, trumpet of Christ, proclaiming the Gospel to the unbelievers;
Radiant, sweet lyre, delighting the faithful with thy melody.
Radiant, for thy courage has gladdened the heavenly hosts;
Radiant, comforted in the darkest prison by the holy angel.
Radiant, resplendent palace in heaven, inheriting martyrdom;
Radiant, victorious over the enemies of the flesh.
Radiant, tearing asunder their cunning, like a spider’s web;
Radiant, receiving the radiant crown of victory.
Radiant, crowned with the wreath of glory from the King;
Radiant, partaking of the deepest riches of His grace.
Radiant, possessing great boldness before Him;
Radiant, holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Кондак 6
The propagator of impiety, Maximian, didst rejoice, thinking that the strong warrior, Lyaeus, had slain the Christians. But blessed Nestor, unable to endure this inhumanity, didst seek thy blessing, O martyr, and, having descended upon the executioner, didst hymn God, saying:
Alleluia
Икос 6
Shining forth in Thessalonica, O holy one, thou didst illuminate the understanding of truth, and didst send forth Nestor before the Lord, through the punishment of the wicked. And even thou, O martyr, didst suffer at the hands of the executioner, according to the imperial decree, for Christ’s sake. Remember us, who commemorate thy sufferings and cry out to thee:
Radiant, for thy prayers, O Dimitri, didst strengthen Nestor against Lyaeus;
Radiant, for, after the death of Lyaeus, thou didst receive the martyr’s death together with Nestor.
Radiant, for thou didst suffer scourging on the cross for our sake, as did Probus;
Radiant, escorted to heaven with glory after death, by the angels.
Radiant, abiding in the unsearchable light of the soul;
Radiant, rejoicing with the martyrs and all the saints.
Radiant, protector of those who hymn thy memory;
Radiant, intercessor for those who honor thy holy memory.
Radiant, holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Condak 7
Although blessed Lupus received thy blessing, O Christ’s passion-bearer, thou didst take thy ring and thy garment, soaked in thy blood, and by thy power didst perform many wonders and healings, and thus didst become the leader, that thou mightest sing in harmony with Nesteros, and with the God of the Trinity, who is glorified:
Alleluia
Icos 7
By thy power, O most wondrous one, thou didst heal Leonides, and by thy holy relics, which are a source of myrrh, thou didst fill the entire city with the fragrance of thy blessings, and didst heal many who were suffering. Therefore, we, who are crying out to thee, pray:
Rejoice, O fragrance of virtues, who from youth didst love goodness;
Rejoice, O angelic nature, who didst attain it from childhood.
Rejoice, O vessel of grace;
Rejoice, O temple of purity and chastity.
Rejoice, for the Lord hath made thee a dwelling place with the Father and the Spirit;
Rejoice, for He hath glorified thy relics with the uncreated grace.
Rejoice, O myrrh, which dost flow from thee like a fragrant perfume;
Rejoice, O source of consecration and healing.
Rejoice, for thou dost surpass nard and myrrh in fragrance;
Rejoice, for thy fragrance doth drive away the stench of passions.
Rejoice, O holy Dimitri, who didst consecrate the earth and thy garments with thy blood;
Rejoice, O healer of our spiritual and bodily wounds.
Rejoice, O holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Condak 8
Thou didst perform a strange and wondrous miracle, O wondrous one, when the builder of the church, who had returned to his home, took thy cloak, which was a turbulent and abundant river of tears, and passed through it unharmed. Therefore, we, with our hearts and lips, sing to the God who is glorified in thee:
Alleluia
Icos 8
By thy love and zeal for thee, O holy one, Leonides the second built a church in Illyria, his homeland, and there, as in Thessalonica, many who were suffering and afflicted by unclean spirits were healed by thy prayers, and many other wonders were performed. Therefore, we, who are amazed by thee, cry out:
Rejoice, O steadfast protector, who art loved by thy lovers;
Rejoice, O wondrous patron, who dost build churches in thy name.
Rejoice, O healer of the sick;
Rejoice, O healer of diseases.
Rejoice, O one who dost stop the flow of blood;
Rejoice, O Eparch Marina, who didst free from the flux and the foulness.
Rejoice, O one who, like Paul, dost work miracles with thy garments;
Rejoice, O one who didst show Leonides a dry path on the river.
Rejoice, O one who dost command the swift rivers;
Rejoice, O one who dost drive away the evil spirits from those who invoke thy name.
Rejoice, O holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Condak 9
Every angelic nature was astonished at your great boldness, O holy Dimitri, for you wished to deliver Solun to the Lord as an enemy, and by the appearance of angels, you were commanded to leave the city, yet you did not leave it, O glorious one. Therefore, having been granted the terrifying vision and hearing, the illustrious one proclaimed with trembling:
Alleluia
Icos 9
The many deceitful snares could not comprehend how the maidens were captured, O holy one, for they had prepared themselves for the prince who had captured them with the beauty of your image, and suddenly they were seized by you and placed at your tomb, and a vigil is kept in memory of you, blessing the Lord on your behalf with humility, we call to you:
Rejoice, for you have suffered unto blood on earth;
Rejoice, for you stand before the throne of God with boldness in heaven.
Rejoice, for you are a benefactor to those who are sent to you;
Rejoice, for you free those who call upon you from affliction.
Rejoice, for you quickly help those who are oppressed;
Rejoice, for the Lord graciously hears your prayers.
Rejoice, for you are an inexhaustible treasure of miracles;
Rejoice, for you are a boundless source of signs.
Rejoice, for you are a liberator of the captives;
Rejoice, for you are a tamer of barbarous ferocity.
Rejoice, for you send comfort to the sorrowful;
Rejoice, for you bring joy to those who mourn.
Rejoice, O holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Condak 10
Although you appeared to save your city from famine, O Dimitri, you were seen in the ports and harbors, commanding those who had grain to sail to Solun. Therefore, having been delivered from death by you, we thank God for you with gratitude:
Alleluia
Icos 10
You appeared as an unshakeable and unconquerable wall to your city, O wise one, and a defender of all who call upon you, for thus the Creator of heaven and earth has willed it. Therefore, teach us to invite you:
Rejoice, great lover of mercy;
Rejoice, compassionate protector of the afflicted.
Rejoice, for you save the faithful from famine;
Rejoice, for you deliver them from the invasion of the nations.
Rejoice, for you have freed the Solunians from the bitter labor of captivity;
Rejoice, for you have removed the deadly plague and other harm from them.
Rejoice, O warrior, who is never overcome in courage;
Rejoice, O champion, who is never lacking in strength.
Rejoice, for you, like Moses, strike down Amalek;
Rejoice, for you, like Samson, drive out the foreigners.
Rejoice, for you, as a faithful king, give victory over enemies;
Rejoice, for you, as a Christ-loving warrior, help in the battle.
Rejoice, O holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Condak 11
Every hymn is vanquished, O most glorious one, before the radiance of your glory and the greatness of your miracles. For when Emperor Justinian desired to obtain a portion of your relics in the Church of the Holy Wisdom, a flame issued from your tomb to those sent by him, who were forbidden to touch your hand. And thus, filled with wonder and fear, he cried out to God:
Alleluia
Icos 11
As a radiant star shining in the darkness of ignorance, we behold you, O holy one. For while serving at your tomb, Onisifor was held back by the darkness of sacrilege, but your double manifestation restrained him from stealing the candles lit by the faithful at your relics. Therefore, we call out to you with reverence:
Glorify, O holy one, the preceding martyrdom of your life;
glorify, O holy one, the wonders that have made you famous after your death.
Glorify, O holy one, that you live in the city of your relics;
glorify, O holy one, that you perform wonders through them.
Glorify, O holy one, that you dispense the truth through mercy;
glorify, O holy one, that you burn with the fire of zeal for the glory of God.
Glorify, O holy one, that your holy relics are inviolable;
glorify, O holy one, that those who dare to touch them are scorched like lightning.
Glorify, O holy one, as a teacher of the penitent;
glorify, O holy one, as a punisher of the sacrilegious.
Glorify, O holy one, as one who grants blessings to those who venerate you with devotion;
glorify, O holy one, as one who brings peace to those who honor you sincerely.
Glorify, O holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Condak 12
You received healing, O Dimitri, for all diseases and all infirmities of men. Grant, therefore, healing to our souls and bodies, that we may give thanks to God, who gave us you as a helper and healer:
Alleluia
Icos 12
Singing your wonders, we praise you, O most wondrous one, who boldly confessed Christ, the God of the heavens, before the impious, and we glorify your martyrdom, we venerate your memory, and we offer to you this joyful and triumphant hymn:
Glorify, O holy one, as a zealous follower of the feet of Christ the Savior of all;
glorify, O holy one, as a courageous imitator of his passions.
Glorify, O holy one, as one who glorifies God with the heavenly powers;
glorify, O holy one, as one who prays to the Queen of Heaven and Earth for peace.
Glorify, O holy one, as one who grants the gift of peace to the faithful;
glorify, O holy one, as one who heals those who are weakened in body and spirit.
Glorify, O holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Condak 13
Oh, holy and most faithful servant of Christ, St. Dimitri, the miracle-worker, who dost receive this humble hymn from us, pray unto Christ our God, that He may be enthroned and fragrant in our hearts, that the sacredness of the Orthodox faith may be multiplied in our lives, that our lamps may not be extinguished at the midnight hour of the heavenly Bridegroom’s encounter, and that we may be granted to hymn Him together with thee in the eternal Kingdom:
Alleluia
This condak is to be repeated thrice.
This condak and the first ikos are to be repeated.
Icos 1
O Creator and Lord of the Angels, Thou hast revealed Thyself to thee, O most blessed one, an angel in the flesh, a martyr strong and steadfast in the defense of the faithful. Therefore, we, fleeing to thy intercession, bring thee this joyful hymn:
Rejoice, shining star on the firmament of the Church;
Rejoice, lamp that dost illuminate the world with wonders.
Rejoice, unshakeable pillar of faith;
Rejoice, unbreakable shield of the Christians.
Rejoice, radiant ornament of Thessaly;
Rejoice, glorious praise of Thessalonica.
Rejoice, fellow citizen of the Apostles;
Rejoice, fellow martyr of the martyrs.
Rejoice, who dost receive the supplications of those who pray to thee;
Rejoice, who dost pray to God on behalf of all of us.
Rejoice, holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Condak 1
O wondrous commander of the city of Thessalonica, great servant of Christ and glorious sufferer, holy Dimitri, who dost pour forth the oil of mercy, we, who venerate thy holy memory, hymn thee with praise:
Rejoice, holy Dimitri, glorious great martyr and wonderworker.
Prayer
Oh, holy and glorious great martyr of Christ, Dimitri, swift helper and warm intercessor of those who approach thee with faith! Standing before the Heavenly King with boldness, pray to Him to forgive our sins and to deliver us from the deadly plague, the flood, the fire, the sword, and eternal punishment. Pray to Him to grant mercy to this city, this habitation, and to all the Christian lands. Intercede with the King of Kings to grant victory and triumph to the enemies of the Orthodox Christians, to grant peace, firmness in faith, and progress in piety to the entire Orthodox world. And to us, who venerate thy holy memory, pray to grant us the blessing of the Lord, that, doing good works, we may be granted to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven through thy prayers, for the eternal glory of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.