The Akathist to the Equal-to-the-Apostles Myrrh-Bearer Mary Magdalene is a prayer that helps us deepen our understanding of her life and mission. Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus Christ’s closest disciples and the first to see him after his resurrection. Reading this akathist helps us better comprehend her role in spreading the Gospel and her role in the development of the early Christian Church.
Kontakion 1
Chosen by the Lord for an equal-to-the-apostles ministry, holy Mary Magdalene, thou hast followed the beloved Christ; therefore with songs of love we praise thee; but thou, having such great boldness toward the Lord, deliver us from every sorrow by thy prayers, that we may cry out to thee with joy:
Rejoice, holy Mary Magdalene, who hast loved the Sweetest Lord Jesus.
Ikos 1
The Creator of Angels and Lord of of Hosts, having foreknown thy good pleasure, O holy God-bearer, didst choose thee from the city of Magdala, freeing thee from the snare of the devil; but thou hast appeared even now as a faithful servant of the Lord, zealous for His glorification through thy life and service. We too, marveling at such divine providence toward thee, with gladness of hearts cry out unto thee:
Rejoice, called from the darkness of demons into the wondrous light of the Son of God;
rejoice, revealed to the whole world as the messenger of the power of God.
Rejoice, who hast been graciously renewed by thy own soul;
rejoice, having well overcomer the power of the enemy.
Rejoice, having remained pure unto the end in body and spirit by the grace of Christ.
rejoice, having preserved unto the end the purity of heart and spiritual poverty.
Rejoice, who hast shined with steadfast faith and warm love unto Christ God;
rejoice, having hast served Him faithfully even unto death.
Rejoice, who wert wert found worthy to see Christ after He had risen above all;
rejoice, honored by angelic discourse.
Rejoice, having hast stowed the preaching of the Gospel within the treasure of thy heart;
rejoice, having announced the preaching of the Resurrection to the Apostles.
Rejoice, holy Mary Magdalene, who hast loved the Sweetest Lord Jesus.
Kontakion 2
Seeing, holy Mary, herself delivered from seven fierce demons, she clung to the Victorious over Hades, Christ God, with all her heart, teaching all people not only not to be ashamed but to serve God with their whole life, crying out to Him:
Alleluia
Ikos 2
Human reason marvels, pondering from what calamities thou hast ascended to the height of an angel-like life by the grace of Christ, worthy Mary Magdalene. Therefore we too, having thee as a good intercessor, pray to thee with warmth: deliver us also from the abyss of sin, that we may cry out to thee with love so:
Rejoice, who hast escaped harsh demonic bondage;
rejoice, having hast openly exposed the deceptions of the wicked demons.
Rejoice, who hast taught all to flee to Christ God in times of enemy affliction;
rejoice, urging those burdened by sins not to despair.
Rejoice, who hast shown the path to holiness to all sinners;
rejoice, having hast known the mighty power of the grace of Christ.
Rejoice, a good teacher worthy of thanks-giving to God;
rejoice, a faithful teacher of true God-praise.
Rejoice, who hast shown us the right path of earthly conduct in thy life;
rejoice, protecting our souls from satanic guile.
Rejoice, a good intercessor for all sinners before God;
rejoice, a warm advocate for us unto Christ in every sorrow.
Rejoice, holy Mary Magdalene, who hast loved the Sweetest Lord Jesus.
Condak 3
By the power of divine grace and Your benevolent will, You left the house of Your father, just as the ancient Abraham, and joyfully followed Christ, the God; therefore, we beseech You, O Christ’s disciple, glorious Mary, enlighten our hearts with love for God through Your prayers, that we may now and forever cry out to Him:
Alleluia
Icos 3
Having been endowed with the blessed gift of wisdom, You, O Mary Magdalene, rejected the fleeting allurements of this world, and, as a good disciple, You served the impoverished Word of Truth with great mercy. For this reason, we, with reverence, address You:
Rejoice, O good disciple of Christ;
Rejoice, O true guide to love for God.
Rejoice, O one who has wisely discerned the vanity of this world;
Rejoice, O one who has rejected its snares.
Rejoice, O one who has not been corrupted by the allurements of this world;
Rejoice, O one who has attained eternal blessedness.
Rejoice, O one who has departed from the earthly house to do good deeds;
Rejoice, O one who has found Christ’s mercy both here and in heaven.
Rejoice, O one who has shown the good path of monastic life;
Rejoice, O one who guides all to Christ, the God.
Rejoice, O wise and prudent one, who has fled from the evil wolves to the good Shepherd Christ;
Rejoice, O one who has entered the fold of His sheep.
Rejoice, O holy Mary Magdalene, who has loved the Sweetest Lord Jesus.
Condak 4
The storm of demonic fury, with great force, assailed the temple of Your soul, O holy Mary, but was unable to prevail against You, for You had obtained salvation on the firm rock of Christ’s faith, on which You, wise woman, stand unshakeably, teaching all to sing the hymn to the All-beneficent God:
Alleluia
Icos 4
Having heard, O wise Mary, that You have obtained true joy in following Christ, the truth, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, we strive to appear as participants in the Kingdom of God. To You, as a participant in that which is, and as one who has shown us the way to it, we all say:
Rejoice, O one who has known the heavenly sweetness of Jesus;
Rejoice, O one who has been feeding on the delights of paradise.
Rejoice, O one who has obtained true life in Christ;
Rejoice, O one who has shown us the true image.
Rejoice, O one whose heart has been set on fire with love for God;
Rejoice, O one who now lives in the joy of heaven.
Rejoice, O one who has been loved by Christ, the God;
Rejoice, O one who is the sacred dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, O helper in our afflictions;
Rejoice, O one who is diligent in prayer to God on our behalf.
Rejoice, O all-zealous disciple of the Word of God;
Rejoice, O our good and gentle teacher.
Rejoice, O holy Mary Magdalene, who has loved the Sweetest Lord Jesus.
Кондак 5
Most glorious Star of God, accompanying Christ, thou didst appear among the Myrrh-bearing women. With them, thou dost now stand before the Holy Trinity, and by thy prayers, thou dost unite us with the sacred choir, illuminating the darkness of our life with thy light, that we may joyfully cry out to God:
Alleluia
Икос 5
Beholding Christ, the God, hanging on the Cross, thou didst show forth thy wondrous courage, O holy Mary: many of the disciples of thy Teacher did forsake Him, but thou, by the unceasing teachings of God, didst kindle thy soul and mind, and didst overcome the weakness of thy sex, and didst partake of the most saving Passion of Christ. For this reason, we, beholding thy most noble courage, offer thee praise:
Rejoice, thou who didst show compassion to Christ, the God, hanging on the Cross;
Rejoice, thou who didst rejoice at His Resurrection.
Rejoice, thou who didst show us the path of love for Christ;
Rejoice, thou who didst obtain great boldness in interceding for us before God.
Rejoice, for God hath revealed to thee His secret wisdom;
Rejoice, for God hath taught thee the true theology, His own Word.
Rejoice, thou who art the good example and praise of women;
Rejoice, thou who art stronger than the strongest men.
Rejoice, thou who art the beauty and ornament of wise women;
Rejoice, thou who art wiser than the wise men of this world.
Rejoice, thou who art the strong refuge of those tormented by demons;
Rejoice, thou who art the good joy of all Christians.
Rejoice, O holy Mary Magdalene, who didst love the Sweetest Lord Jesus.
Кондак 6
By thy grace, thou dost heal the weak and make the fragile vessels strong, O Christ, King: the Myrrh-bearing women stand before thy Cross with masculine courage, and they proclaim the cross-bearing grace to all without fear; and the faces of the wise women, striving to be like the Angels, do cry out to the Holy Trinity with boldness:
Alleluia
Икос 6
Seeking to be enlightened by the light of true understanding, when thou didst behold God hanging on the Cross, thou didst say, weeping, O wondrous Mary: “How hath Life taken voluntary death?” We, guided by the glorious illumination of thy grace, through the Holy Spirit, sing to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst mourn Christ, the God, from the depths of thy soul;
Rejoice, thou who hast obtained eternal joy in the heavenly dwellings.
Rejoice, thou who didst show us the example of good lamentation;
Rejoice, thou who art our unceasing joy.
Rejoice, thou who art a partaker of Christ’s Passion on earth;
Rejoice, thou who dost glorify Him with Him in heaven.
Rejoice, thou who art the strong conqueror of the incorporeal enemies;
Rejoice, thou who art the true vine of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who art the unfeigned comfort of all who suffer;
Rejoice, thou who art the speedy helper in all our sorrows.
Rejoice, for thy remembrance is sweet to all Christians;
Rejoice, for thy name is revered in the whole Church of Christ.
Rejoice, O holy Mary Magdalene, who didst love the Sweetest Lord Jesus.
Kondak 7
Though thou didst comprehend the victorious power of the Cross, O blessed one, thou didst stand before the Cross of the Saviour with other women, O most glorious Mary, Mother of the Lord, who was suffering in pain, and thou didst cry out in wonder: “What is this strange wonder? It is the will of the Lord to suffer for all creation.” We, however, by the will of the Risen One, proclaim with love:
Alleluia
Icos 7
O wondrous woman, thou didst appear, O blessed Mary, by thy love for Christ the God, for thou didst express thy sorrow with tears, and thou didst approach the One who was taken down from the Cross, and thou didst wash His holy wounds with tears. And thou didst also follow after the blessed Joseph and the righteous Nicodemus, and thou didst go to the tomb of the Saviour with other holy women, sometimes weeping, sometimes weeping for the Mother of the Lord, who was not comforted, for the fierce sword had pierced her soul. We, however, following thy example of virtue, humbly entreat thee:
Rejoice, O holy wounds of Christ, washed with tears;
rejoice, O Mother of the Lord, who suffered on Golgotha.
Rejoice, O one who did not leave Christ even to the tomb;
rejoice, O one who saw the Life of the Lord laid in the grave, and wondered.
Rejoice, O good teacher of our tears of repentance;
rejoice, O one who teaches us to be cleansed of our sins by those same tears.
Rejoice, O one who softens our hardened heart with those same tears;
rejoice, O one who teaches us to remember the Passion of Christ.
Rejoice, O glorious Mary, our faithful intercessor;
rejoice, O good servant of the Lord.
Rejoice, O one who did not please men, but God;
rejoice, O one who showed us the true wisdom of God.
Rejoice, O holy Mary Magdalene, who loved the Sweetest Lord Jesus.
Kondak 8
It was strange, O wise Mary, that the burial of the Life-giving Lord, who gives life to all, was revealed to thee: for, being wounded by love for Him, thou didst bring myrrh to His tomb, and thou didst pour out tears as fragrances. And thus, thou dost remain now in the fragrant gardens of the heavens, with angelic voices, crying out to God:
Alleluia
Icos 8
All sweetness, all joy, all life was Jesus to thee, O holy Mary: for this reason, when thou sawest the stone taken from the tomb, and didst not find Him, thou didst weep, and didst run to the living rock of faith, Simon and the other, whom Jesus loved, and thou didst say to them: “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Now, however, thou hast been freed from that sorrow, and thou dost rejoice eternally with Christ in heaven. We, however, who are earthly, by thy prayers, enter into this joy, and with humility, we cry out to thee thus:
Rejoice, O one who, by the radiance of thy love for Christ, didst conquer the darkness of night;
rejoice, O one who doth earnestly entreat for our salvation.
Rejoice, O one who, by spiritual poverty, didst attain the Kingdom of Heaven;
rejoice, O one who is illuminated by the eternal light of heaven.
Rejoice, O one who, by the sorrow of the Passion of Christ, didst find abundant consolation;
rejoice, O meek woman, who hast inherited the land of the heavenly kingdom.
Rejoice, O one who didst thirst and hunger for the Every angelic order was astonished at the great mystery of Your glorious Resurrection, O Christ, King. And even hell itself was shaken, beholding that You had descended into the lower parts of the earth and had shattered the eternal chains, O Christ. We, however, rejoicing with the joy of the women who anointed You with myrrh, proclaim to You with gladness: Alleluia Many-tongued nations cannot adequately express the great sorrow of Your sorrow, O glorious Mary, when You stood outside the tomb, weeping. For who can describe the disease of Your soul, when You did not find Your beloved Lord in the tomb, but rather life itself? Your sorrowful heart could not attend to the consolation of the radiant angels. Remembering Your sorrow with compassion, we sing to You thus: Rejoice, Mary who saw Christ Jesus in the cave; Rejoice, now seeing Him seated on the throne of glory. Rejoice, adorned temple of the All-Holy Spirit; Rejoice, beholding the radiant angels on earth. Rejoice, receiving the voice of the Resurrection of Christ; Rejoice, for You now rejoice with them forever. Rejoice, entering the fragrant perfume of Christ’s peace; Rejoice, offering the myrrh of love to Christ. Rejoice, rejecting the bitterness of the world’s sin; Rejoice, drawing sweetness from Christ’s Chalice. Rejoice, good branch of the Vine of Jesus; Rejoice, fruitful vine of the Lord’s garden. Rejoice, holy Mary Magdalene, who loved the Sweetest Lord Jesus. Although You descended into the tomb, O Immortal One, to save the world, You shattered the power of hell and rose, as the Victor, O Christ, God, saying to the women who anointed You: “Rejoice.” With them, we now offer to You a hymn of joy: Alleluia The stones of the tomb became harder than Your love for Your beloved Christ, O glorious Mary Magdalene. Therefore, You saw Him before us, rising from the tomb; and You did not doubt that You would be the gardener of that One, and You cried out to Him, forgetting the weakness of human nature: “If You have taken Him, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” But the sweet voice of that One, the Teacher, showed You this, and now teaches us thus: Rejoice, first seeing the true Gardener rise; Rejoice, dwelling in the heavenly garden. Rejoice, now nourished by the clusters of God’s grace; Rejoice, feasting on the wine of heavenly delights. Rejoice, for Your love for God has conquered the weakness of human nature; Rejoice, for it has taught us to strive for God’s zeal. Rejoice, receiving the first announcement of the Resurrection from the lips of Christ; Rejoice, first proclaiming the words of joy to the Apostles. Rejoice, obtaining eternal joy in heaven; Rejoice, for You call us to that joy through You. Rejoice, for You intercede for us before God without ceasing; Rejoice, for You offer to Him our prayers with greater fervor. Rejoice, holy Mary Magdalene, who loved the Sweetest Lord Jesus. O Lord, Christ our King, in the greatness of Your ineffable mercies, we, who have been humbled, beseech You with reverence and love: Alleluia You, O radiant star, appeared to the world in darkness, O Mary Magdalene, when, after the glorious Resurrection of the Savior, you traversed cities and villages, proclaiming the word of the Gospel everywhere, and many were brought under the good yoke of Christ. Having reached even ancient Rome, you appeared before the male Tiberius Caesar and explained to him the living force of Christ through wise words, and you also rebuked the wicked Pilate and the impious high priest. Marveling at the apostolic feat of your apostleship, we joyfully exclaim to you thus: Rejoice, O glorious herald of Christ’s teaching; rejoice, O radiant dispeller of the darkness of paganism. Rejoice, O one who was not afraid of the wrath of the Caesar; rejoice, O one who showed the cunning and malice of Christ’s enemies. Rejoice, O one who boldly rebuked the darkness of paganism; rejoice, O one who loosed the bonds of sin for many people. Rejoice, O one who well understood the commandments of Christ; rejoice, O one who followed them faithfully. Rejoice, O one who showed us the firmness of standing for Christ’s truth; rejoice, O one who taught us the wisdom of Christ. Rejoice, O one who led many people from the darkness of ignorance to the wondrous Christ; rejoice, O one who loved the salvation of souls more than your own life. Rejoice, O holy Mary Magdalene, who loved the Sweetest Lord Jesus. Filled with the abundance of God’s grace, you brought many souls to Christ, O glorious Mary. And so, you came to Ephesus, where, with the Apostle, you served the salvation of humanity with apostolic love, and you departed to the Lord with blessed repose. To Whom, now, with the countless heavenly choirs, you sing unceasingly: Alleluia We, singing your praiseworthy life on earth and your glory in heaven, joyfully praise, sing, and glorify the wondrous King of the Saints in heaven, because not only do you, O holy Mary, rejoice in the blessings of the righteous on earth, but you also gladden us on earth, leaving us your precious relics, which the wise King Lysias of Ephesus ordered to be brought to Constantinople. These, which are sources of abundant grace for all who come with love, we, with faith and love, kiss and humbly sing to you thus: Rejoice, O one who sorrowed for Christ’s love on earth; rejoice, O one who was established in the heavenly abodes of the Kingdom. Rejoice, O steadfast protector of the faithful; rejoice, O source of unceasing healings. Rejoice, O fragrant incense, making the Church fragrant; rejoice, O treasure of God’s unending grace. Rejoice, O golden censer, offering prayers to God unceasingly; rejoice, O one who intercedes for us to receive joy, grace, and glory unceasingly. Rejoice, O faithful companion of the angelic choirs; rejoice, O glorious inhabitant of the heavenly palaces. Rejoice, O one whose reward is great in heaven; rejoice, O one whose joy is eternal in the dwellings of the saints. Rejoice, O holy Mary Magdalene, who loved the Sweetest Oh, wondrous and resplendent maiden, ornament of all Christians, and joy of all, equal to the Apostles in glory, and renowned Magdalene Mary! Receiving our present supplication, deliver us from all manner of afflictions, both spiritual and bodily, and from all visible and invisible enemies that assail us, and by thy intercession, direct us all to the Kingdom of Heaven, with compassion and love, as we sing to thee, O God: Alleluia This condak is repeated thrice. This condak and ikos are repeated. O Creator and Lord of the Angels, who, foreseeing thy good purpose, didst choose thee, O holy Magdalene, from the city of Magdala, and didst free thee from the snares of the devil; and thou, being a faithful servant of the Lord, didst manifest thyself, zealous for the glory of His life and service. We, marveling at such divine providence, with hearts full of compassion, call to thee: Rejoice, thou who, by the Son of God, wasst called from the darkness of the devil to the wondrous light of His glory; Rejoice, thou who, as a herald of the power of God, didst manifest thyself to the whole world. Rejoice, thou whose soul wasst renewed by the grace of Christ; Rejoice, thou who didst overcome the enemy’s power. Rejoice, thou who, by the grace of Christ, didst remain chaste in body and spirit until the end; Rejoice, thou who didst preserve the purity of thy heart and the spiritual poverty until the end. Rejoice, thou who didst shine forth with strong faith and warm love for Christ, the God; Rejoice, thou who didst serve Him faithfully, even unto death. Rejoice, thou who didst have the privilege of beholding the first to rise from the dead, Christ; Rejoice, thou who didst receive the honor of angelic conversation. Rejoice, thou who didst contain the treasure of the Gospel in the secret of thy heart; Rejoice, thou who didst proclaim the Resurrection of Christ, as an Apostle. Rejoice, O holy Mary Magdalene, who didst love the Sweetest Lord Jesus. Chosen by the Lord for apostolic service, O holy Mary Magdalene, thou didst follow the Beloved Christ; therefore, we hymn thee with love: thou, having great boldness before the Lord, pray for us, and deliver us from all afflictions, that we may call to thee with joy: Rejoice, O holy Mary Magdalene, who didst love the Sweetest Lord Jesus. O holy myrrh-bearer and all-glorious equal-to-the-apostles, Mary Magdalene! To you, as our most faithful and powerful intercessor before God, we, wretched and unworthy, now fervently turn and pray. You, in your life, have experienced the terrifying wiles of the demonic, but through the grace of Christ, you have been manifestly freed from them; and now, through your prayers, deliver us from the snare of the demonic, that we may always serve the One, Holy, and Almighty God in deed, word, thought, and secret intentions of our hearts, as we have promised Him. O holy myrrh-bearer, equal-to-the-apostles Mary Magdalene! You have overcome the wicked plots of the enemy through your warm love for Christ, the God, and having found the priceless pearl of Christ, you have attained the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, I, with a contrite soul, and with a heart full of sorrow, cry out to you: Look down upon me from the heights of heaven, for I am beset by the temptations of sin; behold, how many sins and afflictions the enemy daily lays in wait for me, threatening my destruction. For this reason, O glorious and all-glorious disciple of Christ, I beseech you to entreat the beloved Christ, who loves you and is loved by you, to grant me forgiveness for many of my transgressions, to strengthen me with His grace to walk steadfastly in the path of His holy commandments, and to make me a temple of the Holy Spirit: that, having completed my laborious life on earth, I may be worthy to be translated into the radiant and blessed habitations of the heavenly paradise, where, with all the saints, you rejoice in hymning the Undivided Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for all eternity. Amen.Condak 9
Icos 9
Condak 10
Icos 10
Condak 11
Icos 11
Condak 12
Icos 12
Condak 13
Icos 1
Condak 1
Meditation
Meditation