The Akathist to Saint Basil the Great is a prayer that helps us delve deeper into the life and teachings of this remarkable saint. Saint Basil was a renowned theologian, missionary, and organizer of the Church, who lived in the 4th century. Reading this akathist helps us better understand his teachings on grace, charity, and love for one’s neighbor.
Condak 1
Thou, the chosen servant of the Heavenly King and great hierarch of the Church of Christ, O blessed Basil, shining forth in the confession of the true faith throughout the world, having great boldness towards the Holy Trinity, protect us from all harm, and hear our supplications with compassion:
Rejoice, O Basil, great hierarch, universal luminary of Orthodoxy.
Icos 1
O Creator of angels, Thou who from eternity didst predestine him, blessed Basil, to be a great luminary of Thy Church, Thou didst manifest him as an angel-like life: for he didst strive in the desert with great zeal and fasting, and didst ascend to the height of virtues. Therefore, having obtained great glory in heaven, receive from us, humble suppliants, the boldness to glorify Thee with these hymns of praise:
Rejoice, O Basil, Thine own name’s kingdom;
Rejoice, O great hierarch of Christ.
Rejoice, O unshakeable pillar of the Church;
Rejoice, O blessed offspring of the holy race.
Rejoice, O one who from youth didst serve the Heavenly King with all thy heart;
Rejoice, O one who hast enriched thy mind with the wisdom of both earth and heaven.
Rejoice, O one who, together with thy friend Gregory the Theologian, didst excel in wisdom;
Rejoice, O one who didst turn thy teacher Eusebius to Christ with wise words.
Rejoice, O one who art a wondrous guardian of purity and chastity;
Rejoice, O faithful guide to salvation.
Rejoice, O one who dost destroy the destructive heresies;
Rejoice, O wise teacher of the whole world.
Rejoice, O Basil, great hierarch, universal luminary of Orthodoxy.
Condak 2
Seeing the Church of Christ tormented by the Arian evil, and obeying the divine call, thou didst come forth, O blessed Basil, from the desert which thou didst love, to the city of Caesarea, where thou didst receive the gift of the priesthood and wast appointed archbishop, proclaiming the word of salvation with great eloquence to all the ends of the earth, and teaching the faithful to worthily praise God, the Creator of all, with these hymns:
Alleluia
Icos 2
O blessed Basil, hierarch of Christ, enlightening the faithful with the knowledge of God, thou didst explain the nature of existing things and taughtest us to know the invisible God through His works. Therefore, we, enlightened by thy wise teachings, cry out thus:
Rejoice, O one who enlightenest the faithful with the knowledge of God, the Creator of all things in six days;
Rejoice, O one who didst teach us to worthily praise His wondrous deeds.
Rejoice, O palace of wisdom, adorned with beauty;
Rejoice, O treasure-house of theology, overflowing with riches.
Rejoice, O one who didst teach us to see the mysteries of the divine wisdom in all things;
Rejoice, O one who didst instruct us to see the greatness of God in small things.
Rejoice, O one who didst paint the beauty of the primordial light;
Rejoice, O one who didst show the firm strength of the first word of God in the universe.
Rejoice, O one who didst depict the swift destruction of earthly glory;
Rejoice, O one who didst show the Sun of Truth, Christ, shining in the beauty of the heavenly lights.
Rejoice, O one who didst turn men away from idleness with the labor of small creatures;
Rejoice, O one who didst command man, the king of
Condak 3
By the power of the Most High, O holy Father Basil, you opposed the apostate Julian and besought the Lord and His Most Pure Mother to destroy his evil intention against Christians, that all may sing to the One God with thanksgiving:
Alleluia
Icos 3
Having a great zeal for God the Almighty and grasping the sword of His word, you quickly cut down the weeds of Julian’s paganism and established the faithful in righteousness; teach us, venerable Father, to serve the One God alone by a pure life, those who cry to you thus:
Rejoice, O Basil, who courageously rebuked Julian in his apostasy;
Rejoice, who destroyed his anti-Christian endeavors.
Rejoice, who, with tears of prayer, struck him down like a spear;
Rejoice, who foretold his swift downfall.
Rejoice, O servant of God, like Moses of old, who freed the Israelites from idolatry;
Rejoice, who destroyed the weeds of heresy.
Rejoice, who abundantly nourished the faithful with the bread of God’s words;
Rejoice, who filled hearts with streams of grace.
Rejoice, who steadfastly exhorted the faithful to keep the commandments of Christ;
Rejoice, who established your life as a testament to your teaching.
Rejoice, good and faithful servant;
Rejoice, diligent cultivator of Christ’s vineyard.
Rejoice, O Basil, great hierarch, universal luminary of Orthodoxy.
Condak 4
You, O holy God-bearing one, by the power of the Spirit dwelling within you, calmed the storm of Emperor Valens’ wrath, which was possessed by the Arian heresy, and granted peace to the Holy Church through your holy labors and warm prayers to Him Whom you rejoiced to praise:
Alleluia
Icos 4
When the impious Valens heard that you, O hierarch of God, stood firm in the truth and that all the faithful obeyed your voice, he desired to turn you away from the right faith; therefore, he sent his bishop Modest to you, and later came himself to Caesarea. But you, O wise Father, were not intimidated by the emperor’s anger or the threats of his fierce general; we, however, who celebrate your firm confession, cry out to you:
Rejoice, unshakeable champion of the right faith;
Rejoice, pastor, ready to lay down your life for the faithful.
Rejoice, who showed forth the firm confession of Peter;
Rejoice, who revealed the zeal of Elijah for the glory of the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, who calmed the emperor’s wrath with the beauty of sacred ministry;
Rejoice, who stopped the mouth of the wicked general with wise words.
Rejoice, who did not fear exile or torments;
Rejoice, who desired to receive martyrdom for Christ.
Rejoice, who endured persecution for the faith;
Rejoice, who entered into joy through many sorrows.
Rejoice, who boldly preached the truth of Christ to emperors and rulers;
Rejoice, who showed yourself a steadfast servant of the King of Heaven.
Rejoice, O Basil, great hierarch, universal luminary of Orthodoxy.
Condak 5
Thou hast appeared, O star of divine light, Saint Basil, Christ’s holy hierarch, illuminating the dark night of sorrows with radiant beams of mercy, dispelling the gloom of woe, and guiding all who navigate the tempestuous sea of life to the path of true salvation, that all may rejoice and sing to the Savior God:
Alleluia
Icos 5
Behold, all of us have seen thee, O holy hierarch, as a loving father, and in times of tribulation and sorrow, we have sought thy aid with fervent zeal; thou, however, hast shown mercy to all, revealing in thyself the true image of faith. Be thou, O blessed father, a speedy helper to us, who are tormented by sin and sorrow, and who cry out to thee with love:
Rejoice, O lamp of love, who shone forth from Christ;
Rejoice, O heavenly Father, who dost emulate the mercy of the Heavenly Father.
Rejoice, O treasure of the poor;
Rejoice, O refuge in times of need.
Rejoice, O provider of the hungry, like the ancient Joseph;
Rejoice, O founder of many dwellings for the homeless and the poor in Caesarea.
Rejoice, O healer of the lepers, with thy own hands;
Rejoice, O deliverer of thy persecutor Modest, who was afflicted, and who saved him from the people’s judgment.
Rejoice, O defender of the poor widow from the bishop’s injustice;
Rejoice, O intercessor who obtained forgiveness of sins from God for the sinful woman.
Rejoice, O father of orphans and comforter of the afflicted;
Rejoice, O instructor of those who are perishing in sin, and guide to repentance.
Rejoice, O great hierarch Basil, universal lamp of Orthodoxy.
Condak 6
Thou hast appeared, O preacher of the truth of Christ to the whole world, Saint Basil, holy hierarch, with the power of thy words, as a sharp sword, piercing the hearts of sinners and stirring them to repentance, that all may sing with a pure heart to the Holy Trinity:
Alleluia
Icos 6
Thou hast shone forth, O holy hierarch Basil, like a great, radiant light on the firmament of the Church, illuminating the whole world with the understanding of true faith, dispelling the darkness of sinful passions, and freeing us from them, who call out to thee thus:
Rejoice, O faithful servant of the Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, O theologian, enlightened by the mysteries of faith.
Rejoice, O preacher who hath proclaimed the Son as coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, O one who hath explained the truth about the Light, who is the Pre-eternal Light, and who hath shone forth from the Pre-eternal Light.
Rejoice, O Savior, who hast preached the Lord God, who hath taken flesh and is the Creator of all ages;
Rejoice, O one who hath revealed the mystery of the two natures and the one hypostasis of Christ, the God-Man.
Rejoice, O ruler of the kingdom of words, who hast opened the treasuries of the rich;
Rejoice, O one who hast turned many away from the unjust covetousness.
Rejoice, O preacher who, with the word, hast struck down the drunkenness of the soul;
Rejoice, O one who hast destroyed the hardness of heart and envy.
Rejoice, O advocate of temperance, instructor and preacher of repentance;
Rejoice, O great hierarch Basil, universal lamp of Orthodoxy.
Canon 7
Although the faithful from the councils of the Arians have fenced you, O holy Basil, you have adorned the entire Church with your blessings, and have composed the divine Liturgy with a pleasing order, and many prayers, like fragrant incense, have flowed from your inspired lips, by which we ask forgiveness for ourselves and our departed brethren, and we praise the Holy Trinity, singing:
Alleluia
Ikos 7
True and glorious, we behold you, O holy Basil, as a new Aaron, when you performed the bloodless sacrifice with divine splendor, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, shining like precious stones in a radiant garment. Now, as you intercede for the Church at the heavenly altar, remember us, who call upon you with fervent entreaty:
Rejoice, O archbishop of God, receiving the abundance of priestly grace, as Aaron did;
Rejoice, having obtained great boldness in prayer for the people.
Rejoice, wise builder of the mysteries of God;
Rejoice, adornment of the church’s order.
Rejoice, instructed by Christ Himself in the service of the Liturgy, as did the Apostle James;
Rejoice, enlightened by the Spirit of God in prayer.
Rejoice, shining with heavenly light, as the uncreated light is seen, in the service, illuminated;
Rejoice, surrounded by angels, as by radiant men.
Rejoice, as your first prayer prepares us to receive the mysteries of Christ;
Rejoice, as your words in the Pentecostal evening send forth supplications.
Rejoice, glory and ornament of the episcopal throne of Caesarea;
Rejoice, as you provide the Church with the gift of the Spirit’s grace in the service.
Rejoice, O Basil, great hierarch, universal light of Orthodoxy.
Canon 8
A strange and glorious vision was revealed to you, O holy Basil, by the blessed Ephrem of Syria: once, God showed him you as a pillar of fire, reaching the heights of heaven, and afterwards, when he came to Caesarea, the blessed one beheld you teaching people with a fiery tongue and fervently crying out to God:
Alleluia
Ikos 8
You shone with the light of the heavens, O Basil, like a seraphim, with love; your words were like lightning, burning heresies, and illuminating the souls of the faithful with the flame of faith and love; grant us, O father, a small spark of your love through your prayer, we who call upon you with fervent entreaty:
Rejoice, fiery pillar, burning heresies;
Rejoice, kindling the flame of true faith and love.
Rejoice, steadfast confuter of the Arian heresy;
Rejoice, fervent advocate of Christ’s truth.
Rejoice, having confounded the proud Eunomius, who dared to blaspheme the Son of God;
Rejoice, having quenched the Macedonian heresy, which blasphemed the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, destroyer of Nesterius’s pride;
Rejoice, zealous defender of the honor of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Rejoice, pastor, shining with the radiance of love;
Rejoice, teacher of faith, speaking with lightning-like words.
Rejoice, blessed olive tree, producing many saints for the Church;
Rejoice, vine, nourishing the champions of Orthodox faith.
Rejoice, O Basil, great hierarch, universal light of Orthodoxy.
Condak 9
All heretical assemblies are unable to withstand the grace that dwells in you, O holy father, for by the power of your prayer, you delivered the youth who had fallen under the authority of Satan from the snares of the enemy, and having repented, you brought him back to Christ, and with gratitude, you praised the Savior God:
Alleluia
Icos 9
By the divine inspiration of your teaching, O holy Basil, we are victorious and we have seen the glorious miracle that occurred on the youth, and many of the heretics have joined the one Church, whose faithful and obedient children we are, and we pray to you thus:
Rejoice, O one who illuminates the ends of the earth with heavenly teaching;
Rejoice, O one who, by the grace of Christ, conquers the dark powers of hell. Rejoice, O one who freed the youth from the snares of Satan;
Rejoice, O one who nourished him with the Body and Blood of Christ.
Rejoice, O one who, by the Blood of Christ, has redeemed the soul and did not allow it to perish;
Rejoice, O one who, having prayed for the youth who had fallen into deadly sin, obtained forgiveness from Christ.
Rejoice, O one who has amazed people with a glorious miracle;
Rejoice, O one who has gladdened the angels by your conversion.
Rejoice, O one who teaches us to ask the Lord for the protection of the angels;
Rejoice, O one who brings near to us the Guardian Angel by your prayer.
Rejoice, O one who frees us from the wiles of the enemy;
Rejoice, O one who is a speedy defender in temptations.
Rejoice, O great hierarch Basil, universal luminary of Orthodoxy;
Condak 10
May the Creator save His verbal creation, and show you, O holy Basil, as a firm protector of the faithful, and a guardian of His Church, so that the light of Orthodoxy may be revealed to the whole world through you, and all the faithful may praise the Holy Trinity with gratitude:
Alleluia
Icos 10
You are a wall for the Church, and a firm protection for the faithful, O great hierarch Basil, when in the city of Nicaea, you opened the church gates by the power of your prayer, and revealed the truth of the right faith, and you closed the mouths of those who blasphemed the name of Christ. Open to us, O holy father, the doors of God’s mercy, by your intercession, so that we may call to you thus:
Rejoice, O earthly angel, guardian of Christ’s Church;
Rejoice, O one chosen by God, protector of the faithful.
Rejoice, O church gates, as Elijah once opened heaven by prayer;
Rejoice, O holy church, which was taken captive by heretics, but was restored to the faithful.
Rejoice, O one who protects the faithful from heresies;
Rejoice, O one who preserves the Church of Christ unharmed from false teachings.
Rejoice, O one who exalts the great name of Christ in heaven and on earth;
Rejoice, O one who established Orthodoxy throughout the world.
Rejoice, O one who brought down the pride of the impious;
Rejoice, O one who raised the humility of the faithful.
Rejoice, O one who glorifies the holy faith;
Rejoice, O one who beautifully adorns the Church of Christ.
Rejoice, O great hierarch Basil, universal luminary of Orthodoxy;
Кондак 11
Thy hymn, O wondrous Basil, is worthy to ascend from heaven, not from earth, for thou didst manifest heavenly things upon earth, and by thy wise teachings, thou didst elevate the minds of the faithful to heaven. And now, thou dost graciously behold us from heaven and dost bestow upon us an abundant gift of grace from the Bountiful Christ God, to Whom with the Angels in the Heavens, we shall sing:
Alleluia
Икос 11
Thou wert a radiant luminary, O holy Basil, shining with many gifts of God and virtues, and by these, thou didst enlighten us, guide us in virtues, and direct us to the Kingdom of Heaven, those who thus invoke thee:
Rejoice, O Church of Christ, unapproachable light and resplendent ornament;
Rejoice, for thou dost provide Christians with steadfast affirmation in faith throughout all ages.
Rejoice, O Basil, thou hast fulfilled the talents entrusted to thee by God;
Rejoice, for thou hast gathered all useful knowledge for salvation from earthly wisdom.
Rejoice, O son of the king, for thou hast bestowed wondrous healing upon the faithful;
Rejoice, for thou hast foreseen the chaste life of Anastasius, the presbyter, and his wife.
Rejoice, for thou hast forgiven those who wronged thee with meekness;
Rejoice, for thou hast conquered calumny by humility and patience.
Rejoice, O Basil, thou hast established the rule of a perfect life for monks;
Rejoice, for thou hast gathered many monks in their dwellings.
Rejoice, for thou hast left behind the rules, canons, and saving teachings as a legacy to the Church;
Rejoice, for thou hast bestowed a precious treasure upon Christians through thy wise writings.
Rejoice, O Basil, great hierarch, universal luminary of Orthodoxy.
Кондак 12
The Lord Christ God hath granted thee great grace, O holy Father Basil, not only to lead the erring to repentance, but also to convert many unbelievers to Christ. When thou wert already suffering from mortal illness, approaching thy blessed repose, thou didst enlighten the Jewish physician, his wife, and children with the Holy Baptism, and thou didst sing a hymn of thanksgiving to the Holy Trinity, together with them:
Alleluia
Икос 12
All the faithful sing thy praises, O great hierarch Basil, for thou didst labor on earth until the end of thy life in the glory of Orthodoxy, and thou didst enter the Heavenly Holy of Holies. As a faithful servant of God, thou didst stand before the Holy Trinity, and thou dost intercede for us, O merciful Father, with love, those who thus invoke thee:
Rejoice, O Basil, thou hast been crowned with the royal priesthood;
Rejoice, for thou hast been adorned with the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, for thou hast glorified the King of Heaven with thy wondrous deeds;
Rejoice, for thou didst not abandon thy zeal for the glory of faith even in mortal illness.
Rejoice, for thou didst pray to God for a wondrous prolongation of thy life for the conversion of the unbelievers;
Rejoice, for thou didst enlighten the physician with Baptism, rising from thy bed of death.
Rejoice, for thou didst conquer the power of evil with thy labors and wisdom;
Rejoice, for thou didst obtain victory over enemies for the pious king.
Rejoice, for thou didst emulate the apostles in thy labors;
Rejoice, for thou art celebrated with the holy hierarchs Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, in accordance with thy command, in a single and holy
Kontak 13
O most holy and great hierarch of Christ, Basil, light of Orthodoxy and bulwark of the faithful! Look down from the heavens upon this praise we offer unto thee, and by thy prayers, guard us from passions and misfortunes, keep us in the right-faith, and grant us to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven, that we may, together with thee and all the saints, sing to the Holy Trinity for ever and ever of ages:
Alleluia
This kontak is read three times, then the 1st Ikos and the 1st Kontak.
Ikos 1
Creator of Angels, who didst predestine thys from before eternity, O blessed Father Vasily, to be a great lamp of Thy Church; thou hast shown thys through thy life to be like unto angels, for with God-thought and divine assistance thou didst strive after in the desert, and hast ascended to the height of virtue. Wherefore having gained great glory in the heavens, receive from us, humble, who dare to praise thee, these praiseworthy words:
Rejoice, Vasily, named after the glory of the Kingdom;
rejoice, great hierarch of Christ.
Rejoice, unshakable pillar of the Church;
rejoice, venerable branch of the holy race.
Rejoice, who from youth didst diligently serve the King of Heaven;
rejoice, who hast enriched thy mind with all earthly [wisdom], and especially with heavenly [wisdom].
Rejoice, who together with thy friend Gregory the Theologian didst prosper in wisdom;
rejoice, who didst turn thy teacher Evagrius toward Christ with wise words.
Rejoice, pravious guardian of purity and chastity;
rejoice, faithful guide to salvation.
Rejoice, dispeller of soul-destroying heresies;
rejoice, God-wise teacher of the universe.
Rejoice, Vasily, great hierarch, universal lamp of Orthodoxy.
Kontak 1
Chosen servant of the King of Heaven and great hierarch of the Church of Christ, who hast shined throughout the whole world by the confession of the right-faith, having great boldness before the Holy Trinity, guard us from all our misfortunes, who cry out to thee with contrition:
Rejoice, Vasily, great hierarch, universal lamp of Orthodoxy.
First Prayer
O great among hierarchs, universal teacher, God-wise [theopher], O blessed Father Vasily! The great Labors and works which thou didst accomplish for the glory of the Holy Church: thou wast a steadfast confessor and a lamp of the Christian faith on earth, illuminating the faithful with the light of God-knowledge, burning away false teachings, and proclaiming the word of the saving truth to the whole world.
But now, having great boldness in the heavens before the Holy Trinity, help us, who fall upon thee with humility, to so firmly and unchangeably preserve the holy Orthodox faith until the end of our life, and deliver us from unbelief, doubt, and wavering in faith, that we be not deceived by the words of God-opposite and soul-destroying teachings. The Spirit of holy zeal by which thou didst flame, O glorious shepherd of the Church of Christ, kindle by thy intercession in us—whom Christ hath set to be shepherds—that we may diligently enlighten and establish in the right-faith the verbal flock of Christ. Beseech the Lord that our country may be exalted, and that He may grant all our people health, longevity, and haste in all good things.
Obtain, O merciful saint, from the Father of Lights for everyone every gift as beneficial to each: good upbringing for infants in the fear of God, chastity for the young, strength for the old and infirm, comfort for the sorrowful, healing for the afflicted, understanding and correction for those who wander, intercession for the oppressed, protection for orphans and widows, gracious assistance for the tempted, and blessed rest for our fathers and brothers who have departed from
Meditation Two
O great and most holy Father Basil, renowned teacher of the Universal Church, ardent champion of the glory of the Holy Trinity, chosen confessor of the Mother of God and her immaculate virginity, shining exemplar of purity, humility, and patience. Behold, I, a multitude of sins and unworthy to gaze upon the heights of heaven, humbly beseech thee, O wise teacher of the Church of Christ, to instruct me in living my life in a manner pleasing to God, that I may never deviate from the path ordained by God’s command, nor be led astray. Preserve and deliver me from the snares of the world and the wiles of the devil through thy powerful intercession, as thou didst deliver the youth who had strayed from the Saviour and fallen into the power of Satan. Grant me the strength of soul to emulate thy lofty virtues with zeal; make me steadfast in faith, firm in hope, and unshakeable in patience; kindle in my heart the true love of Christ, that I may desire and delight in the blessings of heaven above all else. Obtain for me from the Lord a sincere repentance for my sins, that I may spend the remainder of my life in peace, repentance, and the fulfillment of the commandments of Christ. When the hour of my departure draws near, O merciful Father, thou, with the Blessed Virgin Mary, hasten to my aid, protect me from the malicious wiles of the enemy, and enable me to become an heir of the heavenly realms, that I may stand together with thee and all the saints before the throne of the inaccessible glory of God, and hymn and praise the Living, Co-eternal, and Undivided Trinity, now and forevermore. Amen.
Meditation Three
O great and most glorious Father Basil, wise teacher of the Universal Church, steadfast confessor and champion of Orthodoxy, blessed Father! Look down upon us, who humbly beseech thee, from the heights of heaven, and intercede with the Lord Almighty, Whom thou didst serve faithfully on earth, that He may grant us the firm and unshakeable preservation of right faith, obedience to the Holy Church, correction of our lives, and speedy assistance in all our needs, sorrows, and temptations, as well as patience and strengthening. Grant us thy holy blessing, that we may be sanctified by it, and, thus blessed, may we live this new year in a manner pleasing to God, in peace and repentance, and, in the Kingdom of Heaven, be enabled to hymn and praise together with thee and all the saints the Living, Co-eternal, and Undivided Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forevermore. Amen.