The Akathist to St. Simeon the Pillar is a prayer read in memory of the life and feats of this great saint. St. Simeon was known for his profound understanding of God’s love and his ability to help people in their spiritual searches.
Troparion, Tone 1
Thou wast a pillar of patience, O venerable one, envying thy fathers, Job in sufferings, Joseph in temptations, and the inhabitants of the desert, O our father Simeon, in the flesh, pray to Christ our God to save our souls.
Kondakion, Tone 2
Seeking the heights, thou didst unite with the heavenly hosts and didst become a pillar of fire, O venerable one, thou wast a fellow converser with the angels, praying unceasingly for all of us to Christ our God.
Kondakion 1
Approaching thee, O venerable father Simeon, as a chosen vessel of peace and a healer of the diseases of the soul and body, we humbly offer thee praise and prayer from the depths of our soul, entreating thee to free us from passions and all afflictions:
Rejoice, O Simeon, wondrous pillar and great wonderworker.
Ikos 1
The Guardian Angel was given to thee by God, when the fruit of thy parents’ fervent prayer was granted to thee. He preserved thee and taught thee in spiritual wisdom, when thou didst clothe thyself in white garments at thy baptism. We, who know thee to be a wondrous elect of God, dare to offer thee these praises:
Rejoice, O fruit of thy parents’ prayer, blessed by God.
Rejoice, who hast been endowed with the gift of the Holy Spirit in holy baptism.
Rejoice, chosen vessel of God’s grace.
Rejoice, manifestation of God’s love.
Rejoice, unlearned in earthly wisdom.
Rejoice, enriched with heavenly riches.
Rejoice, mystically deified by the Body and Blood of Christ.
Rejoice, lifted up in prayer.
Rejoice, O Simeon, wondrous pillar and great wonderworker.
Kondakion 2
Seeing the Lord’s humility and simplicity of heart, He chose thee as His instrument, to confound the cunning wisdom of the wise of this age, and to make thee a shepherd of the flock of the Lord’s words, that together we may sing to the Creator:
Alleluia
Oikos 2
Having thy mind longing and thirsting for the truth of Christ, thou did not hesitate to question the venerable elder concerning the words of the Holy Gospel. And, having learned from his divinely-taught speech, in that very hour thou did earnestly desire to leave thy paternal house and all the beauty of this world, and to go by the narrow path leading unto eternal life. For this reason we cry out to thee:
Rejoice, loved for dwelling in the temple from youth.
Rejoice, having departed from the paternal house.
Rejoice, cover for those who flee the world.
Rejoice, image of pleasingness to God.
Rejoice, having received the good yoke of Christ with love.
Rejoice, piercing the flesh as with a sword.
Rejoice, instructing those who have gone astray.
Rejoice, affirming those who live well.
Rejoice, Simeon, wondrous pillar-saint and great wonder-worker.
Kontakion 3
By the revelation of God, a vision came unto thee in a dream: laying the foundation of a building, thou didst dig a trench, and thou didst hear a voice thrice to go deeper; and, having reached many depths, the Lord commanded thee to build with all thy zeal. And this wondrous vision came to pass over thee: by the depth of humility thou didst lay a firm foundation of all virtues, by them adorned thou didst ceaselessly cry out unto the Lord:
Alleluia
Oikos 3
Having a strong desire for monastic life, thou came to a single monastery. For the sake of humility, for seven days without food or drink before its gates, falling upon the earth, thou remained lacking boldness to enter. But the blessed abbot of that monastery, foreseeing thee to be a chosen of God, tested thee in days past, as thou wished to serve the Lord, and admitted thee into the joy of his brethren. And we all honor thee:
Rejoice, true listener to the commands of Christ.
Rejoice, having striven for a life like unto angels.
Rejoice, having left this world.
Rejoice, having ardently desired the flame of an ascetic life.
Rejoice, armed with temperance against the passions.
Rejoice, good soldier of Christ.
Rejoice, having submitted thys to obedience in humility.
Rejoice, having shown great zeal for monastic learning.
Rejoice, Simeon, wondrous pillar-saint and great wonder-worker.
Kondak 4
As a gentle lamb, you have always obeyed the spiritual fathers, quelling the tempests of passions. Even as a youth, you were endowed with the image of an angel, and by increasing your fasting and labors, you subdued your flesh, saving your soul and crying out to God in the depths of your heart:
Alleluia
Icos 4
When the igumen heard you telling the brethren that a stench was emanating from you, and that worms were falling from your body, he asked you what had caused this. You, with bowed head, stood in silence. Then, taking some water and blood-stained cloth, they saw your body, and with a shudder, they thought of your sufferings. And we, in awe, call out to you:
Glorify, O habitation of the Holy Spirit, sanctified.
Glorify, O image of God, not obscured within yourself.
Glorify, O wonderworker, who amazed the brethren with your patience, like that of Job.
Glorify, O one who showed great courage within yourself.
Glorify, O zealot for the truth.
Glorify, O lamp of the fragrant oil of anointing.
Glorify, O one who renovates the desecrated temples of our souls.
Glorify, O one who overthrows the idols of our foolishness.
Glorify, O Simeon, wondrous pillar and great wonderworker.
Kondak 5
By the power of the blessing, you were strengthened, and you undertook new struggles against your flesh. However, because of fear, the igumen ordered you to leave these struggles, saying that the brethren, imitating you, would not accept them with reason. You, being meek, obeyed his will, and you settled in the waterless desert, where you again sang a hymn to Christ the God:
Alleluia
Icos 5
When the blessed igumen Timothy saw a vision in a dream, that a multitude of people surrounded his monastery and asked about the servant of God Simeon, he was seized with fear and, having risen from sleep, told the brethren about this. And he, together with them, went into the desert and called out to you. Honoring your struggles, we, by duty, glorify you:
Glorify, O one who revealed the power of the spirit of Joseph.
Glorify, O one who accomplished great struggles for the sake of Christ.
Glorify, O one who bore the Cross of Christ without complaint.
Glorify, O ornament of the Church.
Glorify, O wondrous servant of the truth of God.
Glorify, O good pilot of the ship of Jesus.
Glorify, O rule of the pious faith.
Glorify, O image of spiritual meekness.
Glorify, O Simeon, wondrous pillar and great wonderworker.
Condak 6
By the will of God, the preacher of God’s words, Bishop Vass, came to you when you dwelt in the desert hermitage. You showed great zeal, like Moses and Elijah, and desired a forty-day fast. May you not partake of bread during this time, and may you not enter your cell, but may you establish a new one, as you did, and depart, saying to the Lord:
Alleluia
Icos 6
You shone forth, venerable one, by your wondrous self-control, when, having passed the day of your fast, you were found by the holy bishop as one dead, lying on the ground, and you raised him up and granted him partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ. And thus, you told many brethren about your wondrous struggle, and taught them to glorify the Lord, who reveals His wondrous deeds in His saints, and to hymn you, His servant, saying:
Rejoice, for you have walked the earthly path in the footsteps of Christ.
Rejoice, for you have imitated Moses and Elijah in your fasting.
Rejoice, for you have placed your hope in the Lord.
Rejoice, for you have not partaken of food and drink in this hope.
Rejoice, for you have been enlightened by the divine light.
Rejoice, for you strengthen us, faithful ones, by your prayers.
Rejoice, for you have been likened to the bodiless fasting.
Rejoice, for you have conquered the invisible enemies with spiritual arms.
Rejoice, O Simeon, wondrous pillar and great wonderworker.
Condak 7
Although your struggles were to be increased, as a ladder leading to heaven, you ascended to the top of the mountain, and may you not descend from there, but may you be firmly established on it, and having heard the words of the holy bishop Melitius, may you have been captured by the mind in Christ’s obedience, and may you have cried out until the end of your life:
Alleluia
Icos 7
A new Wifesday appeared, the mountain on which you struggled, venerable one. Not only did you manifest healings to those who entered in the summer and first, but you also grant good help to all who come to God with hope in their troubles, illnesses, and sorrows, and all return, glorifying God, and hymning you, His servant, saying:
Rejoice, for you have been kindled by divine fire.
Rejoice, shining lamp and shining light.
Rejoice, healer of spiritual diseases.
Rejoice, healer of bodily infirmities.
Rejoice, nourisher of those thirsting for righteousness.
Rejoice, fountain of those thirsting for truth.
Rejoice, intercessor for our souls.
Rejoice, advocate for us and benefactor of the earth.
Rejoice, O Simeon, wondrous pillar and great wonderworker.
Condak 8
Thou hast created for thyself a wondrous life, O blessed one, when thou sawest the multitude of people approaching thee, understanding that they venerate and glorify thee. Fleeing from glory, thou hast chosen humility, and thou hast willed to dwell on a lofty pillar, ascending by degrees of the ladder to the heavenly height, and enduring cold, rain, and scorching heat. Thou hast sung to the Lord unceasingly:
Alleluia
Icos 8
Thou hast been filled with obedience to the testing of thee by the holy fathers of the desert: obeying their will, as divine, thou hast hastened to descend from thy pillar to the earth, so that, seeing thee, they might understand that thy deed is from God, and, resolving to remain on thy pillar unimpeded. Then the enemy of the human race devised to deceive thee: in the form of a shining angel, he appeared before thee. Thou, however, O blessed one, didst not understand the deceit of the enemy for an instant, but, by the sign of the Holy Cross, thou didst conquer that cunning; afterwards, thou didst offer great repentance to the Lord. From this, we, too, have learned, and we praise thee thus:
Rejoice, thou who hast repelled the fiery arrows of the wicked.
Rejoice, thou who hast conquered the cunning of the enemy.
Rejoice, thou who hast armed thyself with the power of the Cross.
Rejoice, thou who hast quenched the flame of falsehood with the fire of truth.
Rejoice, thou who hast been armed with prayer, as with a sword.
Rejoice, thou who hast been crowned with the helmet of salvation.
Rejoice, thou who hast offered deep repentance to God.
Rejoice, thou who hast placed thy hope on God’s mercy.
Rejoice, O Simeon, thou wondrous pillar and great wonderworker.
Condak 9
The Lord receives every repentant sinner, and thy repentance is pleasing to Him, and He will again glorify thee. But the devil, unable to endure thy exploit, struck thee with a bitter wound, and a foul ulcer with worms formed in thy foot. After a certain time, thy mother learned of thee and came to thy pillar, weeping bitterly. Thou, however, O blessed one, hast trusted in the will of the Lord, and hast promised to be with her in the future, and, having composed a prayer, thou didst sing to the Lord:
Alleluia
Icos 9
The cunning ones of old will not be able to explain the power of thy wonders, which thou didst perform in the glory of God and in the wonderful name of the Lord. Thou, having no water, didst cause the earth to tremble by thy prayer, and didst give abundant water. A certain woman, having received a small serpent in her womb, was healed by thy water. And many others were healed by thy holy prayers at thy pillar. The people, seeing the great wonders of God, didst glorify thee with joy:
Rejoice, O good and faithful servant of the Heavenly King.
Rejoice, thou who hast increased the talent received from Him.
Rejoice, thou who hast made the heavens rejoice with thy life.
Rejoice, thou who hast amazed the universe with thy wonders.
Rejoice, thou who art our helper and intercessor.
Rejoice, thou who art our defender against the temptations of the enemy.
Rejoice, thou who dost alleviate our passions.
Rejoice, thou who dost fulfill our good desires.
Rejoice, O Simeon, thou wondrous pillar and great wonderworker.
Condak 10
Thou didst follow in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, and didst save those who were guilty, and didst call them to repentance. Thou didst not deliver unto death the robber Jonathan, who had fled unto thee, but after his great repentance, thou didst entreat the Lord on his behalf, that he might depart in peace, and in eternity, praise the All-Merciful God with a grateful hymn:
Alleluia
Icos 10
Thou wast a good and faithful servant of the Heavenly King and Lord, and a merciful guide to thy spiritual children. Thou didst dwell on a pillar, and from one place, thou didst receive a multitude of people, both faithful and unfaithful, and thou didst assist them all. Thou didst heal their bodily and spiritual illnesses, and especially didst enlighten the unbelieving with the light of the Gospel of Christ, that they might be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, and call upon thee, their good shepherd:
Rejoice, thou mirror of the Triune Light.
Rejoice, thou one filled with the heavenly radiance.
Rejoice, thou one who enlightenest thy neighbors with the riches of the spirit.
Rejoice, thou one who teachest the fear of God.
Rejoice, thou one who uncomplainingly fulfilllest the will of the Lord.
Rejoice, thou one who art zealous for His glory.
Rejoice, thou good shepherd.
Rejoice, thou merciful and gentle father.
Rejoice, thou wondrous pillar and great wonderworker, Simeon.
Condak 11
Thou didst offer hymns to the beloved Christ in thy life, and didst receive the gift of prophecy. Thou didst foretell the coming drought, famine, and plague, and didst forewarn of the invasion of the unbelieving. Thou didst appease the Lord with many tears and warm prayers, that He might turn away His righteous wrath, and not permit the tongue of the unbelieving to conquer the Christians, who were bringing forth repentance and thanking the Lord for His great mercy, and continually singing to Him:
Alleluia
Icos 11
Thou didst appear as a chosen vessel of the heavenly light, when the hour of thy departure from this world drew near. Thy disciple Anthony testifies: “On the fifth day, at the ninth hour, when we were expecting thy teaching and blessing, thou didst not look upon us from the pillar. Similarly, on the Sabbath and on the Lord’s day. I was afraid, and I ascended the pillar, and I saw the venerable one with his head bowed down, and his hands on his chest. I thought that he was praying, and I was silent. Then I said, ‘Bless us, father!’ He did not respond. Then I thought that the venerable father had departed to the Lord, and I understood that it was so. I wept bitterly, and, approaching, I kissed him, saying, ‘On whom dost thou leave us, father?’ We pray to thee: do not leave us, sinful ones, with thy benevolent prayers, that we, from the depths of our soul, may call upon thee:
Rejoice, thou one who hast given thyself entirely to the Lord from childhood.
Rejoice, thou one who receivest the commandments of God as a precious treasure in thy heart.
Rejoice, thou one who art fragrant with the scent of paradise.
Rejoice, thou one who art enlightened by the light of prayer.
Rejoice, thou one who art clothed in Christ.
Rejoice, thou one who art adorned with the garment of incorruption.
Rejoice, thou one who directest all thy thoughts unto the Lord.
Rejoice, thou one who lovest thy neighbors as thyself.
Grant us mercy, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Father, whom we have rightly praised, hearken unto our sighs, and despise not our tears, and forsake us not, as Thou hast promised not to forsake either Thy pillar or Thy mountain, chosen by Thee, and to those who approach Thee in supplication, and who are sheltered beneath Thy protection, O Lord, who sing unto Thee: All glory be to God. In celebrating thy life, O blessed Father, we praise God, and as the saints, the pastors, and the faithful gathered around thy tomb with tears and many prayers, bearing candles and incense, so too do we, gathered on the day of thy commemoration, offer thee fervent hymns and supplications: Rejoice, O thou who from youth didst die to the world. Rejoice, O thou who didst take upon thyself the sweet yoke of Christ. Rejoice, O thou who didst joyfully emerge from the prison of the flesh to eternal life. Rejoice, O thou who dost delight in the vision of the divine light. Rejoice, O thou who dost stand before the Holy Trinity. Rejoice, O thou who dost continually send up prayers for us. Rejoice, O thou who dost leave behind healing relics for us. Rejoice, O thou who art a helper to the Christian people. Rejoice, O Simeon, thou wondrous pillar and great wonderworker. O great and wondrous servant of God, our venerable Father Simeon! Thou dost now stand before the Throne of God and dost bring our supplications to the Lord, and receive this small prayer from us, sinners, and as Thou didst not reject the thief who approached thy pillar, but didst deliver him from earthly troubles, and didst lead him as a guide into the Kingdom of Heaven, so too, O our Father, do not forsake us by thy intercession, but help us in this present life, and by thy prayers enable us to attain the heavenly habitations, where with thee we shall cry out to Christ, our Savior: All glory be to God. (This condak is read three times, followed by Icos 1 and Condak 1). O holy and great servant of God, Simeon! By thy virtuous deeds, thou didst strive on earth, and didst receive the crown of righteousness, which the Lord hath prepared for those who love Him. Beholding thy holy image, we rejoice at thy glorious departure from this life, and we venerate thy sacred memory. Thou, standing before the Throne of God, receive our supplications, and bring them to the All-Merciful God, that He may forgive us all our sins, and may stand by us against the snares of the devil, that we may be delivered from troubles, diseases, misfortunes, and all evil, and may live a righteous and blameless life in this present age, and may be enabled, by thy intercession, though unworthy, to behold the good things of the land of the living, glorifying the One God, in His saints, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.Icos 12
Condak 13
Molitva