The Akathist to St. John the Warrior is a prayer that helps devotees of the saint to better understand his life, martyrdom, and spiritual strength. Reading this akathist provides spiritual support, strengthens faith, and finds the strength to overcome one’s own trials.
Condak 1
Chosen servant of the Heavenly King, sufferer of Christ’s passion, holy warrior and miracle-worker John, we shall hymn you with praise-worthy songs, as a Christian intercessor, a guardian of chastity, and a comforter of the afflicted. You, standing before the throne of the Holy Trinity, pray for those who call upon you with faith and love, to be protected from all evil and harm:
Rejoice, O John, holy warrior and glorious miracle-worker.
Icos 1
Archangels and angels behold your life, O wondrous John, with love, for you, tending to the Lord’s will, preserved your virginity unblemished, mortifying your flesh by fasting and prayer day and night. We, marveling at your life, thus cry out to you with humility:
Rejoice, O one who preserved the purity of your heart;
Rejoice, for you were deemed worthy to behold God.
Rejoice, O one who took upon yourself the yoke of Christ;
Rejoice, O one who, for Christ’s sake, destroyed your soul, that it might be saved.
Rejoice, O companion of angels;
Rejoice, O glory of the virgins.
Rejoice, O guardian and instructor of young boys;
Rejoice, O swift helper of those struggling with passions and lust.
Rejoice, O defender of maidens and widows;
Rejoice, O rebuke of those who transgress chastity.
Rejoice, O instructor and guide of parents and educators;
Rejoice, O unseen guide of orphans.
Rejoice, O John, holy warrior and glorious miracle-worker.
Condak 2
When holy John saw that Christians were persecuted in the city of Ephesus, he did not fear the threats of the impious Julian and said to them: “Be strengthened, be fortified in faith, that you may be deemed worthy to hymn Christ the God in the heavenly heavens:
Alleluia
Icos 2
You, O most excellent John, had a discerning mind within yourself, when you despised the glory of this world and, unafraid of the king’s wrath, confessed yourself to be a Christian, and for this reason, as a malefactor, you were cast into prison. Marveling at your boldness for Christ, we say:
Rejoice, O glorious confessor of Christ;
Rejoice, O one who suffered for Christ.
Rejoice, O one who exposed the deceit of idolatrous service;
Rejoice, O one who, by the power of the Cross, conquered the enemy.
Rejoice, O one who, for Christ’s sake, accepted chains and prison;
Rejoice, O one who, for Christ’s sake, preferred cold and nakedness to the glory of sin.
Rejoice, O glory of the confessors;
Rejoice, O joy of the martyrs.
Rejoice, O brave warrior in earthly conflicts, warrior of the Heavenly King;
Rejoice, O one who was stained with the Blood of the Lamb.
Rejoice, O defender of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, O protector of all the Orthodox.
Rejoice, O John, holy warrior and glorious miracle-worker.
Condk 3
By the power from above, girded with strength, you were able to overcome the ancient serpent; with the same power, endowed, you pour forth an abundance of miracles upon all who invoke your name with faith and upon those who cry out to God in gratitude for you:
Alleluia
Icos 3
Having in your heart a firm faith in Christ and being armed with the power of that faith, you did not fear the wrath of the king and you preserved the Iphthalian people from their tormentors. For this reason, your bravery is worthy of praise, and we bless you thus:
Glorify, O Adamant of the faith of Christ;
Glorify, O Pillar of the Church of God.
Glorify, O Refuge of the faithful and their intercessor;
Glorify, O Terror of the unfaithful and their shame.
Glorify, O Crown of the confessors of Christ;
Glorify, O One who has vanquished the enemy of Christ with the weapon of the Cross.
Glorify, O One who has loved Christ above all things;
Glorify, O One who has given up your soul for Christians.
Glorify, O One who has dispelled the wicked designs of the cruel tormentor;
Glorify, O One who has visited those in prison and in chains.
Glorify, O John, holy Warrior and glorious Wonderworker.
Condk 4
Blissful John, you were tossed about by the storm of dubious thoughts when you were sent to the Iphthalian Numidians to torment those who believed in Christ. “If, however,” you said, “I am to torment and kill the faithful people at the king’s behest, I shall be condemned by God; but if I do not go there, I shall be contrary to the king’s will and shall be delivered over to a more bitter death.” However, guided by the fear of God, you preserved your faith in Christ even in the midst of sufferings and in the darkness of prison, crying out to Christ:
Alleluia
Icos 4
When the impious Julian heard of your mercy towards Christians and learned that you yourself were a Christian, he was filled with rage and ordered you to be brought to Constantinople as a traitor and an enemy of the king. But you, strengthened by the grace of God, endured your sufferings courageously and did not waver in your faith in Christ. For this reason, we praise you thus:
Glorify, O Unwavering Confessor of the faith in Christ;
Glorify, O Invincible Warrior of Christ.
Glorify, O One who stands before the Throne of God with the Archistrategists of the Heavenly Hosts;
Glorify, O Swift Helper of all who suffer for the truth.
Glorify, O One who has escaped the temptations and snares of the devil;
Glorify, O One who delivers all who invoke you from temptations.
Glorify, O One who has dispelled the wicked designs of the cruel tormentor;
Glorify, O One who helps us to avoid the snares of the devil.
Glorify, O One who has shielded yourself with the shield of faith and has protected yourself from the arrows of the wicked;
Glorify, O One who protects us from temptations.
Glorify, O Ornament of the Christian race;
Glorify, O Dweller in the Heavenly Palaces.
Glorify, O John, holy Warrior and glorious Wonderworker.
Condak 5
Thou wert likened unto the star of God, O John, when thou didst come unto the land of Ephesus, and didst exhort the Christians dwelling there not to depart from the Sun of Righteousness, Christ God, but to entreat Him thus:
Alleluia
Icos 5
Beholding the holy ones brought before him, according to the emperor’s decree, faithful to Christ, thou didst feel great sorrow in thy heart, and didst pray that they might be delivered from the hands of their tormentors. Thy solicitude for them is most praiseworthy, and we call thee:
Rejoice, thou who hadst in thy heart the love of Christ;
rejoice, for by thy intercession thou didst warm those faithful servants of Christ, and didst deliver them from the tormentors.
Rejoice, thou who didst despise the wicked decrees;
rejoice, for thou didst preserve the commandments of Christ.
Rejoice, thou friend of the faithful servants of Christ;
rejoice, thou intercessor of Christians.
Rejoice, thou comforter of those in prison and in bonds;
rejoice, thou nourisher of the poor.
Rejoice, thou guide of the strangers;
rejoice, thou physician of the weak.
Rejoice, thou intercessor of the orphans;
rejoice, thou comforter of those who weep.
Rejoice, O John, holy warrior and glorious wonderworker.
Condak 6
By fasting and prayer, thou didst subdue thy flesh, and didst live spiritually for the glory of God; and therefore thou dost stand before the Throne of the Holy Trinity, and we sing a hymn to thee:
Alleluia
Icos 6
Thou didst shine forth, O John, as a new light on the firmament of heaven, unto all the Christian people, when, by the will of God, thy incorruptible body was found, which doth pour forth an abundance of miracles to those who come to thee with faith, and who pray to thee with devotion:
Rejoice, thou who didst live a life pleasing unto God;
rejoice, for thou didst receive glory from Him.
Rejoice, thou who didst despise the emptiness and deceit of this world;
rejoice, for thou didst receive the reward of heaven.
Rejoice, thou who didst manifest thyself as faithful in small things;
rejoice, for thou didst receive an abundance of the divine grace.
Rejoice, thou who didst love thy neighbor with self-denial;
rejoice, for thou didst become a helper to those in affliction and tribulation.
Rejoice, thou who didst lay down thy soul for others;
rejoice, for thou art a warm intercessor for us before the King of Heaven.
Rejoice, thou who didst deliver Christians from the wrath of the tormentors;
rejoice, for thou dost still concern thyself with our salvation.
Rejoice, O John, holy warrior and glorious wonderworker.
Condak 7
Thou hast commanded a certain man to lay thy body in a house, where strangers and the poor shall be buried. The Lord, exalting the humble, hath willed to preserve it incorrupt and to make it a source of wonders, from which all who come to thee with faith and cry out to God shall receive aid.
Alleluia
Icos 7
The Lord, the Lover of Mankind, hath shown anew His mercy to His servants, when He willed to glorify thee and to reveal in thee His wondrous grace. We, therefore, rejoice at this divine providence and give thanks:
Rejoice, thou vessel of God’s grace;
rejoice, thou chosen vessel of God.
Rejoice, thou wondrous worker of miracles;
rejoice, thou who dost grant speedy aid to those who come to thee with faith.
Rejoice, thou healer of the soul and body;
rejoice, thou who dost cast out demons in the name of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who dost vanquish the cunning of the enemy;
rejoice, thou who dost preserve chastity.
Rejoice, thou who dost protect the pious marriages from every diabolical snare;
rejoice, thou who dost quickly reveal the thievery and robbery.
Rejoice, thou who dost guide those who have strayed onto the path of truth;
rejoice, thou who dost fulfill our petitions for our benefit.
Rejoice, O John, holy Warrior and glorious Wonderworker.
Condak 8
A strange and wondrous appearance of thine was revealed to a certain woman in a dream, and she, being filled with reverence, recognized thee as a new wonderworker and servant of God. The people of Constantinople were amazed and cried out to God:
Alleluia
Icos 8
Thou hast been filled with virtues in this life, and after death, thou hast been illuminated with the glory of God. Thou dost incline thine ear to the prayers of those who honor thee, and thou dost hear their supplications:
Rejoice, thou who dost imitate the mercy of the Father in Heaven;
rejoice, thou who dost nourish the hungry.
Rejoice, thou who art invisible to strangers;
rejoice, thou who dost protect the poor.
Rejoice, thou who dost comfort the embittered;
rejoice, thou who dost strengthen those who suffer for the truth.
Rejoice, thou who dost heal the infirm and grant them relief;
rejoice, thou who dost intercede for those in affliction.
Rejoice, thou who dost love the poor;
rejoice, thou who didst not desire to be separated from them even after thy departure from this life.
Rejoice, thou who didst command thy body to be buried in the house of the poor;
rejoice, thou who, because of thy humility, hast been crowned with a crown from God.
Rejoice, O John, holy Warrior and glorious Wonderworker.
Condak 9
All the angelic host rejoice, beholding thee, warrior of the Heavenly King, invincible, having conquered the ruler of darkness and the allurements of this age, and thus hymning God:
Alleluia
Icos 9
The many tribulations cannot extol thy sufferings, endured for Christ, and the exploits of thy mercy and chastity. We, however, in our weakness, offer thee these small praises, marveling at such:
Rejoice, thou who hast loved Christ with all thy heart;
Rejoice, thou who hast freely endured sufferings for His Name.
Rejoice, thou who hast contended with God the All-Ruler;
Rejoice, thou who hast won the crown of martyrdom.
Rejoice, thou who hast taught the rule of faith and self-control;
Rejoice, thou who hast manifested spiritual poverty.
Rejoice, thou who hast cast down pride by thy humility;
Rejoice, thou who hast won the inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Rejoice, thou who hast established a dwelling for thyself in the Father’s Heavenly House;
Rejoice, thou who dost continually intercede for our salvation.
Rejoice, thou who dost provide speedy aid to those who ask;
Rejoice, thou who dost pray unceasingly for us to Christ God.
Rejoice, O John, holy Warrior and glorious Wonderworker.
Condak 10
Though thou didst despise the commands of the tormentor, and didst not care for thy body, thou didst joyfully accept iron fetters and the darkness of the dungeon, O John, Warrior of Christ, hymning the God who strengthened thee:
Alleluia
Icos 10
Thou art a wall and a firm refuge for all who come to thee with prayer, O Wonderworker John, and therefore we call to thee:
Rejoice, thou who art swift to obey all who call upon thee;
Rejoice, for God has willed that thy holy relics be glorified by miracles.
Rejoice, for the grace of God is bestowed upon those who gaze upon thy icons with faith;
Rejoice, for thou dost invisibly dwell in the churches built in thy honor.
Rejoice, for no one who comes to thee with faith and prays is left unsatisfied;
Rejoice, for thou dost strengthen our prayers, which ascend to the Throne of the All-Ruler.
Rejoice, for thou dost hasten to anticipate all requests;
Rejoice, for thou dost provide guidance to those who are on the path of sin.
Rejoice, for thou dost show speedy aid to those who are tempted by the devil;
Rejoice, for thou dost direct all to the path of salvation.
Rejoice, for thou dost lead the sinful to repentance;
Rejoice, thou who art a friend of Christ and a benevolent intercessor for us.
Rejoice, O John, holy Warrior and glorious Wonderworker.
Condak 11
We offer to you, O Christ’s martyr John, a hymn of praise, which we sing with love, beseeching you to intercede with the Lord to deliver us from tribulations and afflictions, especially at the hour of our death, that we may not die in despair, but may be granted to sing to God in the heavenly habitations with you:
Alleluia
Icos 11
You are a light in the Church of Christ, shining with the uncreated light of divine grace, and illuminating the darkness of our ignorance, O blessed John. For this reason, we beseech you: enlighten us, who are shrouded in sin, that we may sing to you:
Rejoice, you who bear the light of divine teaching in your heart;
Rejoice, for you have illuminated us with the light of divine teaching, and have revealed the darkness of idolatrous service.
Rejoice, for you strive to enlighten us with the same light;
Rejoice, for you behold the glory of the Triune God face to face.
Rejoice, you who are kindled by the light of divine grace, as a torch from the Sun of Truth;
Rejoice, for you illuminate the darkness of our ignorance with the light of Christ’s commandments.
Rejoice, you who are a guiding star for all who seek salvation;
Rejoice, for you guide us to every good work.
Rejoice, for you implant in our hearts the thought of good at the right time;
Rejoice, for you show yourself to be a model of good warfare.
Rejoice, you who illuminate the universe with the light of your virtues;
Rejoice, for men, seeing your good deeds, praise the Father in heaven.
Rejoice, O John, holy Warrior and glorious Wonderworker.
Condak 12
Grace has been given to you by God to guide us to salvation and to protect us from tribulations, and to preserve the Church and the Russian land, which commemorate your memory, for this reason, we pray through your prayers to protect us from all evil, and to grant us to live in virtue, that we may all sing to God:
Alleluia
Icos 12
Singing the God who is wondrous in His saints, we praise you, O Christ’s confessor, and warrior, and wonderworker, with hymns of praise:
Rejoice, you who are the ornament of the Church of God;
Rejoice, for you have been enrolled in the heavenly army.
Rejoice, you who receive the armor of God;
Rejoice, for you overcome all the wiles of the enemy.
Rejoice, you who are clothed in the breastplate of righteousness;
Rejoice, for you are shielded by the shield of faith.
Rejoice, you who have obtained the helmet of salvation;
Rejoice, for you have loved the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, more than all other arms.
Rejoice, you who are girded with the belt of God’s righteousness and truth from your loins;
Rejoice, for you have been invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Rejoice, for you have been granted to sing a new song before the Throne of His glory;
Rejoice, for you now partake of Christ in the heavens, more than when you were on earth.
Rejoice, O John, holy Warrior and glorious Wonderworker.
Kontakion 13
O holy wonder of Christ and wonder-worker John the Warrior! Receive this praise of ours and the petitions offered unto thee, and by thy favorable prayers to God, deliver us from all evils and circumstances, diseases of soul and body, and by thy intercession preserve us from eternal torment, and pray to be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, that we may be granted in the Heavenly dwellings to sing to God:
Alleluia
[This kontakion is said three times.]
[Then we repeat the 1st Icos and Kontakion:]
Icos 1
The Archangels and Angels with love beheld thy life, equal to the angelic, O wondrous John; thou, concerned for the Lord and seeking how might please Him, did preserve virginity uncorrupted, mortifying thy flesh through fasting and prayer day and night. We, marveling at such a life, with reverence cry out unto thee thus:
Rejoice, O hast preserved the purity of thy heart;
rejoice, for for this reason thou hast been granted to see God.
Rejoice, having taken the yoke of Christ upon thy shoulder;
rejoice, having laid down thy soul for Christ’s sake, so that thou might save it.
Rejoice, O companion of the Angels;
rejoice, O praise of the virgins.
Rejoice, O guardian and teacher of young children;
rejoice, O swift helper of those struggling with passions and lust.
Rejoice, O protector of virgins and widows;
rejoice, O rebuke of those who violate chastity.
Rejoice, O teacher of parents and educators;
rejoice, O invisible guide of the orphaned.
Rejoice, O John, holy Warrior and most glorious wonder-worker.
Kontakion 1
Let us praise the chosen servant of the King of Heaven, the good passion-bearer of Christ, holy John the Warrior and wonder-worker, with praeworthy songs, as the intercessor of Christians, the guardian of chastity, and the comforter of those suffering. And thou, standing before the Throne of the Holy Trinity, guard by thy prayers from all evils and calamities those who call unto thee with faith and love:
Rejoice, O John, holy Warrior and most glorious wonder-worker.
Prayer
O martyr of Christ, John the warrior! Thou art brave in the battles, and a dispeller of the enemy, and a defender of the oppressed, for all Orthodox Christians. O great intercessor and wonder-worker of Christ, John the militant! Have mercy on us, sinners and unworthy, and intercede in troubles and sorrows, and in grief, and in every evil calamity, and from every evil and oppressing man; for unto thee such grace was given from God, to pray for us, sinners suffering in troubles and evil calamities. Deliver us, therefore, from those who oppress and hate us; be a strong champion for us against all visible and invisible enemies. O great champion, John the warrior! Forget not us, who always pray unto thee, asking for help and for thy inexhaustible mercy, and grant us, sinners and unworthy, to receive from God the unspeakable good things, which He hath prepared for those who love Him. For fitting Him is all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.