Akathist to St. Ambrose of the Holy Spirit

The Akathist to St. Ambrose of the Holy Spirit is a prayer that is read in church to address this great saint, known for his miracles and blessings. St. Ambrose was a Ukrainian Orthodox saint who lived in the 17th century and was known for his profound understanding of God’s love and his mission to help people.

Conakion 1

Chosen of Christ and new wonder-worker of the Pochaev monastery, swift comforter of those in affliction and gracious healer of the infirm, O venerable Father Amphiluchos, with love we praise thy God-pleasing life, and to God we offer a hymn of thanksgiving unto means of thee. But thou, as a bold demanor-to-pray-er before Him and a warm intercessor for us, ask for all who come to thee with faith deliverance from spiritual and bodily evils, that we may indeed cry out to thee:

Rejoice, venerable Father Amphilucho, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Ikos 1

As the Archangel Raphael, who brings the prayers of the sufferers to God and bestows health by His grace from the heavens, so thou hast become, O venerable Father, having appeared as a skillful physician, healing our manifold ailments. We too, remembering thy glorious life, so cry out to thee:

Rejoice, holy offspring of the land of Volynia;

rejoice, blessed child of pious parents.

Rejoice, brought up in true faith;

rejoice, having loved prayerful labor and bodily asceticism from childhood.

Rejoice, having shined in piety from thy youth;

rejoice, having inherited the virtues of thy parents.

Rejoice, taught in skillful medicine-healing by thy father;

rejoice, having strived to imitate the reverence and gentleness of thy mother.

Rejoice, having exerted thys against the lust of the flesh by the preservation of virginity and purity;

rejoice, having armed thys with chastity against the lust of the eyes.

Rejoice, having stood against worldly pride with humility;

rejoice, having fulfilled Christ’s commandments of God-love and brother-love.

Rejoice, venerable Father Amphilucho, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Conakion 2

Having seen upon thys the hand of God ever covering thee, and having understood the transience of this life, thou didst reject all vanities of the wicked world and came to the holy mountain of Pochaev, that thou might offer all thyself as a sacrifice to thy Creator in the rank of monasticism, ceasing singing to Him:

Alleluia

Ikos 2

The Orthodox people sought perfection of mind in thee, seeing thy God-pleasing life. Thou however, from the abundance of Christ’s love in thy heart, took paternal care for them. And having received from the heights of heaven the gift of spiritual discernment, thou hast worthily used it in teaching the spiritually infantile; for this reason we praise thee, saying:

Rejoice, fulfiller of the vision of Zizij [the Vision of Pochaev];

rejoice, caretaker for the salvation of thy neighbors.

Rejoice, possessor of the Holy Spirit;

rejoice, illuminator of those wandering in the darkness of unbelief.

Rejoice, comforter of the sorrowving and burdened;

rejoice, zealous nurturer of Christians.

Rejoice, warrior of the earthly Church;

rejoice, dispeller of the hosts of demons.

Rejoice, follower of the holy fathers;

rejoice, rebuker of deceitful heretics.

Rejoice, teacher of repentance;

rejoice, liberator from the slavery of sin.

Rejoice, venerable Father Amphilucho, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Conakion 3

Strengthened by power of God, thou did courageously ascend to the height of impassibility, O blessed; and having received many gracious gifts from the Lord, thou did serve the salvation of those through them, singing with humble-mindedness to the Bountiful God:

Alleluia

Oikos 3

Having the gift of healing, indeed, as a new spring of grace, thou did appear upon the mountain of Pochaiev, Father Amphiloch; for unto thee those in the multitude suffering from various infirmities did hastened to run with faith and hope; and by the power of thy gracious prayers, having received health without cost, they cry out in joy of thanksgiving:

Rejoice, girded by the power of the Most High, to heal incurable diseases;

rejoice, empowered by the same authority, to raise the dead.

Rejoice, making the blind see;

rejoice, opening the ears of the deaf and the tongue of the mute.

Rejoice, setting whole broken bones;

rejoice, strengthening the collapsed spines.

Rejoice, filling dry hands and feet with the currents of life;

rejoice, renewing bodies scorched by fire.

Rejoice, cleansing sores and the foul malodorous scabs of the body;

rejoice, wondrously healing the members of the flesh that had rotted and had been severed.

Rejoice, giving a sound mind to those who lost their reason through prayers to the Theotokos;

rejoice, freeing those suffering from unclean spirits by the name of Jesus.

Rejoice, O venerable Father Amphilochius, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Conakion 4

By the gift of foresight, suddenly granted by the Lord, the storm of foreign invasion was made known to thee, and from that very hour thou did behold from afar the souls and fates of those coming to thee. And, being filled with zeal for godliness, thou did gently rebuke the sins of the unrepentant by this gift, so that they might bring the worthy fruit of repentance and call out to God with pure hearts:

Alleluia

Oikos 4

The prudent listener of the Gospel words and the wise executor of these, we see in thee, O venerable. For their sake, thou did zealously ascend unto the path of self-denial, deprivation, and sorrow, and did unfailingly follow Christ. We, not paying heed of such a following after our Savior, call unto thee in contrition and brokenness of hearts:

Rejoice, having the compelled desire to be with Christ;

rejoice, having constantly striven to seek the Only One.

Rejoice, the strict executor of monastic obedience;

rejoice, the zealous worker in the vineyard of Christ.

Rejoice, radiant lamp, leading us unto salvation;

rejoice, the city standing upon the summit of the mountain, to which the faithful run to.

Rejoice, salt of godliness, preserving the world from the corruption of the soul;

rejoice, fulfilling many with zeal for God.

Rejoice, having loved the meekness and humility of Christ;

rejoice, having found heavenly peace even in this earthly life.

Rejoice, river of God’s grace;

rejoice, from which we even now are nourished by faith.

Rejoice, O venerable Father Amphilochius, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Kondak 5

O most divine protector of the temple of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity in the Lavra, Thou hast appeared unto us, and hast preserved it from defilement and desolation. Thou hast boldly driven out the impious persecutors from the house of prayer, and hast called the faithful to stand firm in the blood of Christ, singing with fearlessness to the Trihypostatic God:

Alleluia

Icos 5

Beholding in Thee the revilers of the zealous defender of the monastery of Pochaev, and understanding the companion of the strong people of God, we see that the doers of evil deeds are foolish and have attempted to make Thee weak, suffering, and dishonorable; but we offer to Thee a hymn of praise, saying:

Rejoice, for Thou hast suffered for the fearless confession of faith;

rejoice, for Thou art led into exile, glorifying the God of the Holy Trinity.

Rejoice, for Thou hast received the scourging in imitation of the Lord Jesus;

rejoice, for Thou art imprisoned by demons and wild beasts.

Rejoice, for Thou hast endured cruel torments;

rejoice, for Thou hast not complained in bitter sufferings.

Rejoice, for Thou hast not been enraged at Thy persecutors;

rejoice, for Thou art filled with divine love.

Rejoice, for Thou hast been watchful and praying in long and grievous afflictions;

rejoice, for Thou hast called upon the Mother of God for help.

Rejoice, for Thou hast entrusted all Thy hope to the Lord;

rejoice, for Thou hast not been put to shame in faith and hope.

Rejoice, venerable Father Amphilochius, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Kondak 6

Thou hast appeared as a preacher of repentance and a teacher of the virtuous life, O Father Amphilochius. Before healing bodily infirmities, Thou didst heal the souls of those who came to Thee, delivering them from sins and iniquities. Thou didst also teach them that sorrows and diseases befall us because of the contempt of a godly life, which Thou didst call them to seek by repentance, that they might be delivered and sing with joy:

Alleluia

Icos 6

Thou hast shone forth with spiritual discernment, which was given to Thee by the Lord, guiding Thee to care for souls, and freeing those who listened to Thee from the bondage of passions by Thy blessing. Now, receive from us the worthy words:

Rejoice, for Thou art a sword of humility and love, cutting down the snares of the enemy;

rejoice, for Thou art an imitator of the Apostles, establishing the Orthodox faith.

Rejoice, for Thou art a manly ascetic, zealously fulfilling the monastic vows;

rejoice, for Thou art a companion of the Angels, and a guide to the angelic form.

Rejoice, for Thou art a faithful servant of God, an heir of the confessors;

rejoice, for Thou art a merciful father, a companion of the venerable.

Rejoice, for Thou art a priest consecrated by God, offering the Bloodless Sacrifice for men;

rejoice, for Thou art a good shepherd, ready to lay down Thy life for the words of Christ.

Rejoice, for Thou art a healer filled with the blessing of God, healing the sick with water and bread, and prayer;

rejoice, for Thou art a worthy priest, quickly helping those in need by the power of God’s grace.

Rejoice, for Thou art a blessed source, life-giving and healing;

rejoice, for Thou art filled with the

Condak 7

Although in thy heart thou hast been united with Christ, thou hast incessantly invoked His most sweet Name with thy lips, and hast purified thy soul with the fire of divine grace in a worthy temple. For this reason, thou dost teach us, to turn away the mind and heart from the worldly wickedness and to direct them towards God, that we may rejoice eternally in Him, saying:

Alluia

Icos 7

Thou hast revealed thyself as a new mirror of apostolic preparation and desire, when thou didst appear to be with Christ, venerable one, when the lawless and ungrateful ones sought to slay thee, an innocent man, on the monastery cemetery. But by the exploit of thy martyr, the servant of God, Irinarh, thou wert saved from the inexorable death. In this manner, we, who are established in devotion to God, say to thee:

Rejoice, Christ, who from thy youth didst love;

rejoice, who didst give thy soul and life entirely to Him.

Rejoice, who didst enslave thyself to the Lord by thy own will;

rejoice, who didst establish thyself in unceasing hope in Him.

Rejoice, who didst die before death for the worldly wickedness;

rejoice, who didst obtain eternal life even in the earthly body in Christ.

Rejoice, who didst become an image of perfect faith and love;

rejoice, who didst become a mirror of unashamed hope.

Rejoice, who didst inherit the humility of Christ;

rejoice, who didst imitate His mercy.

Rejoice, who didst acquire the memory of death;

rejoice, who didst escape the snares of the enemy.

Rejoice, venerable Father Amphilochius, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Condak 8

A strange wonder appears, blessed one, thy name together with the Most Blessed Theotokos and the venerable Job, when invoked in prayer: a small petition is brought to you, and by your great intercession, we receive speedy deliverance from great sorrows and diseases, that we may exclaim to God, rejoicing in you:

Alluia

Icos 8

Thou hast been filled with all the love of God, and hast cared for the multitude of people as a spiritual father, when they came to thee in exile, to Mala-Ilovitsa, as to a father. Thou hast mercifully satisfied their needs, and hast brought many to a life of piety. In this manner, we, who are established in thy life, in truth and righteousness, call to thee:

Rejoice, new in poverty, healer of our diseases;

rejoice, excellent herald, who establishest the right faith in our land.

Rejoice, servant of God, who hast enslaved thyself to all and hast brought many to Christ;

rejoice, gentle ascetic, who dost forgive and love those who wrong thee.

Rejoice, wise pastor, who dost give the gift of salvation to men;

rejoice, blessed father, who dost renew the souls of the unrepentant.

Rejoice, holy father, who dost turn the hearts of children to their fathers;

rejoice, teacher of repentance, who dost wash the conscience of those who repent.

Rejoice, prophet of the living God, who dost pour out mercy on the afflicted;

rejoice, thunder of God, who dost terrify the enemies of the faith.

Rejoice, possessor of simplicity, who dost shame the wisdom of this age;

rejoice, servant of Truth, who dost enlighten the humble with wisdom.

Rejoice,

Condak 9

Thy life, venerable one, has been filled with all manner of afflictions and sorrows, whereby demons and wicked men sought to assail thee, but were unsuccessful, for in thee they found a firm pillar of faith and an unquenchable fountain of love, whereby thou didst increase in virtue and didst partake of the deepest blessings, even unto thy blessed repose, singing in joy to God:

Alluia

Icos 9

Thou didst offer many prayers to the Most Pure Lady, our Mother of God, each day and at every hour, extolling her greatness and maternal love for us sinners. Now, understanding thee to be a fervent intercessor and unceasing supplicant to her, we cry to thee:

Rejoice, elect of God’s Mother;

Rejoice, holy habitation of her glorious warrior.

Rejoice, venerating the wondrous icon of the Most Pure;

Rejoice, following in the footsteps of her holy feet, reverently bowing down.

Rejoice, singing the praise of the Ever-Virgin each day;

Rejoice, placing thy hope in her mercy.

Rejoice, emulating the monastic struggles and confessors’ labors of the venerable Job;

Rejoice, worthy of receiving the gift of wonderworking.

Rejoice, sent by the Lord on the harvest of the spirit;

Rejoice, laboring diligently on the Lord’s threshing floor.

Rejoice, seeking the favor of the Heavenly King;

Rejoice, fleeing from worldly glory and praise.

Rejoice, venerable Father Amphilochius, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Condak 10

Be thou our guide to salvation, venerable one, that we may learn to flee from the vain and false things of this world, having beheld thy incorruptible body; that we may trample underfoot sloth and negligence regarding our souls, through labor and prayer; that we may strive for the purity of body and spirit, and be taught by thee with all our heart, in the hope of salvation, singing to God:

Alluia

Icos 10

Thou wert a wall unbreachable to those who brought affliction, venerable one: comforting the sorrowful, healing the sick, casting out demons, and preserving from harm. Even to this day, thou dost manifest the power of God, which is in thee, to all who come to thee with faith and love, and dost encourage them to pray to thee with gratitude:

Rejoice, Father, for still the people of the Russian land come to thee;

Rejoice, for even now, the streams of the holy people of Russia, seeking healings at the life-giving relics of thy body, do not dry up.

Rejoice, confuter of cunning demons;

Rejoice, destroyer of the wickedness of the godless.

Rejoice, possessing peace within thyself;

Rejoice, having tasted this ineffable sweetness, and having made many partakers of it.

Rejoice, having established thy heart in true humility;

Rejoice, using this weapon, together with prayer, to strike down demons.

Rejoice, serving the Heavenly Father as a son;

Rejoice, being a true disciple of the Savior Christ.

Rejoice, being a melodious instrument of the Holy Spirit;

Rejoice, being a pure dwelling-place of the Holy Trinity.

Rejoice, venerable Father Amphilochius, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Condak 11

As a hymn of thanksgiving in all the tribulations of your life, O Champion of Christ, you continually offered to God, O servant of God, and we, having found in you such a defender before God and a protector in times of affliction, in accordance with your example, in our sorrows and joys, strive to hymn the Lord:

Alleluia

Icos 11

You appeared as a radiant light, O wise one, illuminating with rays of wonders and the image of true piety. And even after your repose, this blessing does not cease in you, which you generously bestow upon those who come to your tomb with faith, that they may be accustomed to glorify God, the Source of all wonders, and to speak thus of you:

Rejoice, O receiver of the gift of healings and worker of miracles;

Rejoice, O health of our bodies and salvation of our souls.

Rejoice, for through you we are delivered from the passions of the flesh;

Rejoice, for through you we are filled with spiritual delights.

Rejoice, O glorious praise of your monastery and the blessed inheritance of your fatherhood;

Rejoice, O wise and excellent virtue.

Rejoice, for many you have rescued from destruction;

Rejoice, for countless you have preserved unharmed.

Rejoice, for the defeat of the many lamentable demons;

Rejoice, for the consecration of the land of Volhynia.

Rejoice, O shining light, dispelling the dark cloud of sorrow;

Rejoice, O shining light, illuminating the darkness of impiety.

Rejoice, O venerable Father Amphilochius, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Condak 12

By the grace of the furnace of afflictions, you were purified like gold, shining with the crown of martyrdom and the virtue of piety. And by the will of God, you appeared to us in the last years, having been found with your uncorrupted relics, spiritually comforting all and praying to God, the wondrous in His saints, and exalting:

Alleluia

Icos 12

Singing your life, O Father Amphilochius, which is pleasing to God and full of many wonders, we are unable to extol you according to your worth, but guided by your benevolence towards the weak, we pray and now hymn you, beseeching you to send us your blessing, that we, being under the shelter of your prayer, may be preserved in zeal for salvation, and may hymn you with these words:

Rejoice, O one chosen by God the Father;

Rejoice, O one purified by your martyrdom.

Rejoice, for you offered your soul for your neighbors;

Rejoice, for now you have been found in the heavens.

Rejoice, O one shining with virtues, illuminated by the Holy Spirit;

Rejoice, O one fragrant with the same grace.

Rejoice, O one testified to by many healings from your tomb, which are poured out from above;

Rejoice, O one glorified by the Heavenly Father on the day of your earthly glorification, revealed by the clouds of the cross.

Rejoice, O one crowned by the Champion of Christ;

Rejoice, O one associated with the righteous.

Rejoice, O one blessed in the heavenly abode;

Rejoice, O one interceding for us at the throne of the Holy Trinity.

Rejoice, O venerable Father Amphilochius, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Condak 13

Oh, blessed Father Amphilochius, wondrous healer and speedy helper, do not deprive us, who humbly approach you, of your gracious visitation: heal our infirmities, assuage our sorrows, and calm our life; that through your intercession to the Most High Lord, we may be delivered from every evil and wicked deed, and forever sing to Him:

Alluia

[This condak is repeated three times.]

[We then repeat the first ikos and condak:]

Ikos 1

Archangel Raphael, who, like a skilled physician, appeared to us, bringing the prayers of the afflicted to God and providing healing through His divine grace from on high, we, who commemorate your glorious life, thus cry out to you:

Glorify, O holy sprout of the Volhynian land;

glorify, blessed child of pious parents.

Glorify, O youth nurtured in true faith;

glorify, one who from childhood loved prayer and bodily self-control.

Glorify, O one who shone forth in piety from youth;

glorify, one who inherited the virtues of your parents.

Glorify, O one who was trained in the art of healing by your father;

glorify, one who strove to emulate the reverence and gentleness of your mother.

Glorify, O one who struggled against the lust of the flesh, preserving chastity and purity;

glorify, one who armed yourself with chastity and modesty against the lust of the eyes.

Glorify, O one who stood firm against worldly pride, humbly submitting;

glorify, one who fulfilled the commandments of Christ, loving God and brotherly love.

Glorify, O blessed Father Amphilochius, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Condak 1

Beloved of Christ and new wonderworker of the Pochaev Monastery, speedy comforter of the sorrowful and gracious healer of the afflicted, blessed Father Amphilochius, we extol your God-pleasing life with love, offering a hymn of thanksgiving to God about you. You, as a fearless intercessor and warm advocate for us, ask from Him, that all who come to you with faith, may be freed from spiritual and bodily afflictions, and we may call out to you:

Glorify, O blessed Father Amphilochius, our warm intercessor and wondrous healer.

Meditation

Oh, most blessed Father Amphilochius, earthly angel and heavenly man! We approach you with faith and love, and humbly implore you: reveal to us your holy intercession; for, due to our sins, we do not dare to ask the Lord and our Master for our needs, but we offer you, a prayerful intercessor, to Him, and with great zeal, we beseech you: obtain for us from His benevolence the necessary gifts for our souls and bodies, right faith, genuine love for all, patience in afflictions, healing from grievous diseases for those tormented by them, relief and deliverance from unbearable sorrows and afflictions for those who have lost hope in their lives, and through your prayers, speedy alleviation and liberation.

Do not forget, blessed Father, this holy community, in which you have persevered, and where you are eternally revered; but preserve it and all its inhabitants, and those who struggle within it, and those who come to it for veneration, unharmed from diabolical temptations and all evil. When our departure from this temporal life and our transfer to eternity arrive, do not deprive us of your heavenly aid, but through your prayers, bring us all to the harbor of salvation, and make us heirs of the all-glorious Kingdom of Christ, that we may sing and praise the ineffable mercies of the God-Man, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and your intercession, together with the venerable Father Job, for all eternity. Amen.