The Akathist to the Passion of Christ is a prayer that helps to deepen one’s understanding and experience of Christ’s Passion. Reading this akathist helps believers to better comprehend the suffering and love of the Lord for humanity.
Condak 1
Thou, O Lord, Commander of the Heavenly Hosts and Ruler of the earth, who on the Cross didst hang, dost behold the eternal King, and all creation hath been transformed, the heavens have trembled, and the foundations of the earth have been shaken. We, unworthy ones, offer to Thee thanksgiving worship, bearing the burden of Thy passion, and with the voice of a thief, we cry out to Thee:
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
Icos 1
By filling the ranks of the angels, Thou didst not take on the form of an angel, but for our sake, O God, Thou didst become man, and by dying as a mortal, Thou didst give life-giving flesh and blood. Therefore, we, filled with gratitude for Thy love, cry out to Thee:
Jesus, Eternal God, by Thy love, Thou hast deigned to bless us, lowly mortals.
Jesus, boundless in mercy, Thou didst descend to fallen humanity.
Jesus, by taking on our flesh, Thou didst destroy the power of death.
Jesus, by Thy divine mysteries, Thou hast made us divine.
Jesus, by Thy sufferings and Cross, Thou hast redeemed the whole world.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
Condak 2
When Thou didst see the angel in the garden of Gethsemane, beset by sweat and blood, Thou didst strengthen him, for when our sins weighed heavily upon Thee, Thou didst take upon Thyself the burden of Adam’s fall, and didst pray to the Father, bending Thy knees in supplication. Therefore, with faith and love, I sing to Thee:
All hail
Icos 2
The Jews, who could not comprehend Thy free will, didst not understand Thy sufferings. Therefore, when they sought Thee at night with lanterns, Thou didst say to them: “I am He, though I have fallen to the ground, but they bound Thee and led Thee to judgment.” We, on this path, approaching Thee with love, cry out to Thee:
Jesus, Light of peace, hated by the world.
Jesus, living in the inaccessible light, separated from the darkness.
Jesus, Eternal Son of God, destined for death by the son of perdition.
Jesus, not subject to flattery, betrayed by the treachery of a friend.
Jesus, who gave Himself to all, sold for thirty pieces of silver.
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
Condak 3
By the power of Thy divinity, Thou didst prophesy threefold rejection to Thy disciple. He, however, though he had denied Thee with an oath, when he saw Thee in the high priest’s court, his heart was softened, and he went out, weeping bitterly: “Behold, Lord, and have mercy on me, and smite my hardened heart, that I may wash away my sins with my tears, and sing to Thee:
All hail
Ikos 3
Having true power according to the order of Melchizedek, as High Priest in eternity, You stood before the unrighteous high priest Caiaphas, Lord and Master of all; receiving suffering from Your servants, accept from us this supplication:
Jesus, priceless, bought with an inestimable price, acquire me for Your eternal inheritance;
Jesus, the desire of all, rejected by Peter out of fear, do not reject me, a sinner.
Jesus, gentle Lamb, tormented by fierce beasts, deliver me from my enemies;
Jesus, High Priest, entering the Holy of Holies with Your own Blood, cleanse me from the stains of the flesh.
Jesus, bound, having power to bind and loose, release my heavy transgressions;
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom.
Kondak 4
Blowing with the breath of Christ-killing Judaism, the Jews, having listened to the voice of the father of lies and the murderer from the beginning, the devil, rejected You, the Right Path, Truth, and Life; we, however, confessing You, Christ, the power of God, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and reason are hidden, cry out:
All glory be to God
Ikos 4
When Pilate heard Your gentle words, as if worthy of death, he delivered You to crucifixion, although You testified that You had committed no sin; therefore, he polluted his hands, but his heart was defiled; we, however, marveling at the mystery of Your voluntary suffering, call out with humility:
Jesus, Son of God and Son of the Virgin, murdered by the sons of lawlessness;
Jesus, scorned and stripped, giving beauty to the thorns of the field and clothing the heavens with clouds.
Jesus, filled with wounds, feeding five thousand with five loaves;
Jesus, King of all, receiving cruel sufferings instead of love and gratitude.
Jesus, wounded for us throughout the day, heal the wounds of our souls;
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom.
Kondak 5
Covered with Your blood, which is a fountain of life, You clothed Yourself with light, as with a garment. We know, we know with the prophet, why Your garments were torn: I, Lord, I, with my sins, have wounded You; therefore, I, who have been wounded for You, give thanks and call out:
All glory be to God
Ikos 5
Seeing You, the God-speaking Isaiah, filled with shame and wounds, he trembled and cried out: “We have seen Him, and He had no form, nor beauty”; we, however, seeing You on the Cross, call out with faith and wonder:
Jesus, enduring shame, crowning man with glory and honor;
Jesus, on whom the angels cannot look, having been struck on the cheek.
Jesus, struck on the head with a reed, bow my head in humility;
Jesus, having Your radiant eyes dimmed with blood, turn my eyes away from vanity.
Jesus, from head to foot, not having wholeness, make me whole and healthy;
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom.
Condak 6
Thy herald, Pilate, proclaimed Thy benevolence, showing the people that Thou wast not worthy of death; but the Jews, like ferocious beasts, beholding Thy blood, gnashed their teeth at Thee, crying out, “Crucify Him!” We, however, kissing Thy most pure wounds, cry out:
All-hail!
Icos 6
Thou didst shine forth in ignominy and astonishment, both angel and man proclaiming Thee to Pilate: “Behold, the Man!” Come, then, let us worship Thee, O Jesus, for our sake, crying out:
Jesus, Thou Creator and Judge of all, judged and tormented by Thy own creatures;
Jesus, Giver of wisdom, not giving answer to the foolish;
Jesus, Healer of those wounded by sin, grant me healing through repentance;
Jesus, Shepherd wounded, strike down the demons tempting me;
Jesus, having a body crushed, crush my heart with Thy fear;
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Condak 7
Although Thou didst deliver man from the work of the enemy, Thou didst humble Thyself before Thy enemies, O Jesus, and, like a silent lamb led to slaughter, Thou didst endure wounds everywhere, that Thou mightest heal all of man, crying out:
All-hail!
Icos 7
Thou didst show forth a wondrous patience, when the soldiers, blaspheming Thee, according to the word of the unjust judge, inflicted upon Thy most pure Body the most cruel wounds, from the soles of Thy feet to the crown of Thy head, with blood. For this reason, we cry out to Thee with tears:
Jesus, Thou man-loving One, crowned with thorns by men;
Jesus, impassible by nature, enduring passions, that Thou mightest deliver us from passions;
Jesus, my Savior, save me, a servant of all afflictions;
Jesus, forsaken by all, my Establisher, establish me;
Jesus, offended by all, my Joy, gladden me;
Jesus, Son of God, remember us, when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Condak 8
Moses and Elijah appeared to Thee on the Mount of Transfiguration, proclaiming Thy departure, which Thou now dost complete in Jerusalem. There, beholding Thy glory, they now see our salvation, and cry out:
All-hail!
Ikos 8
Everywhere, O Lord, You were persecuted by the Jews, and many, on account of the multitude of my sins, endured sufferings and afflictions: for some said that You were opposed to the Caesar, others condemned You as a malefactor, and others cried out, “Take Him, take Him, and crucify Him.” Therefore, from all those who condemned You, and led You to the cross, we, the Lord, from the depths of our soul, say:
Jesus, unjustly condemned, our Judge, do not condemn us according to our deeds;
Jesus, weary on the way to the Cross, my strength, do not leave me in the hour of my sorrow and anger;
Jesus, crying out for help to the Father, my Helper, strengthen me in my weakness;
Jesus, receiving shame, my glory, do not deprive me of Your glory;
Jesus, Image of the Holy Godhead, transform my impure and dark life;
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom.
Kondak 9
All creation was shaken, for You were hanged on the Cross, and on the heavens, the sun hid its rays, the earth was shaken, the veil of the temple was torn, the rocks were split, and the abyss of the dead was opened: and we, bowing down to the place where Your holy feet stood, sing:
Alleluia
Ikos 9
Although many speak of Your many wonders, yet they are unable to render worthy thanks for Your divine passions, O Lover of Mankind: but our soul and body, heart and all our members, with humility, cry out to You:
Jesus, nailed to the Cross, nail down the writing of our sins;
Jesus, stretching out Your hands to all from the Cross, draw me, a sinner, to Yourself;
Jesus, Door of the sheep, pierced in the side, lead me, a sinner, into Your fold;
Jesus, crucified in flesh, crucify my flesh with its passions and desires;
Jesus, dying in agony, give me that my heart may not judge anything else, but only You, who were crucified;
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom.
Kondak 10
Wishing to save the world, You healed the blind, the lame, the lepers, the mute, and the deaf, and You drove out unclean spirits; but the foolish Jews, filled with malice and envy, nailed You to the Cross, not knowing what they were doing:
Alleluia
Ikos 10
King Eternal, Jesus, You have endured everything for my lack of self-control, that You may make me entirely pure, and grant me the form of Your image, that we may follow in Your footsteps, crying out:
Jesus, Unsearchable Love, not setting a limit to sin;
Jesus, crying out with a loud voice and with tears in the garden, teach us to pray;
Jesus, fulfilling all the prophecies about You, fulfill the good desires of our heart;
Jesus, giving Your Spirit to the Father, receive my spirit in the hour of my departure;
Jesus, not preventing the division of Your garments, gently separate my soul from my body;
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom.
Condak 11
The All-Holy Theotokos offered to You a hymn of universal praise, saying: “Although You were crucified on the Cross, I know that You were born of the Father before the dawn of day, immaculate and untouched. I behold that all creation will suffer for You; You surrender Your spirit to the Father, and receive my spirit and do not abandon me, who cry out to You:
All-hail
Icos 11
As a light-bearing candle, You burn with love for You at Your Cross, and the Immaculate Virgin Mother is afflicted with sickness, I approach You, the true Sun of Righteousness, in the grave. With Her, receive our heartfelt prayers:
Jesus, having ascended the tree, raise us, who have fallen, to Your Father;
Jesus, the Virgin’s gift of a Bridegroom, teach us chastity and purity;
Jesus, the Word of God, born of God, entrust us to Your Mother’s intercession;
Jesus, the Victor over war and Hades, vanquish unbelief, worldly pride, and the lust of the eyes in us;
Jesus, the Destroyer of the power of death, deliver me from eternal death;
Jesus, the Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom.
Condak 12
Grant me Your mercy, Jesus, my God. Receive me, as You received Joseph and Nicodemus. Let me bring my soul to You, as a pure linen cloth, and anoint Your holy body with the fragrance of virtues. And, as I have You in my heart, in the tomb, I cry out to You:
All-hail
Icos 12
As we sing of Your voluntary crucifixion, we bow down to Your passions, O Christ. We believe with the centurion that You are truly the Son of God, having come on the clouds with great power and glory. Do not shame us, who have been redeemed by Your Blood and cry out to You:
Jesus, the much-suffering One, with the lamentation of the Virgin Mother, put an end to our eternal sorrow;
Jesus, forsaken by all, do not leave me alone in my hour of death;
Jesus, touched by Magdalene’s hands, receive me;
Jesus, do not condemn me with the betrayer and those who crucified You;
Jesus, with the repentant thief, lead me into paradise;
Jesus, the Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom.
Condak 13
O Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, taking away the sins of the world, accept this small offering from the entirety of our soul, and heal us with Your redeeming passions from all spiritual and bodily afflictions. Protect us with Your Cross from visible and invisible enemies, and at the end of our life, do not leave us, that we may be delivered from eternal death through Your death. We cry out to You: All-hail.
[This condak is read three times.
Then we repeat the 1st Icos and 1st Condak]
Meditation
O Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of the Unbegotten God the Father, source of boundless mercy, love, and compassion! I know that, for the sake of my sins, Thou hast willed to shed Thy Blood on the Cross, which I, a wretched and ungrateful sinner, have hitherto polluted with my wicked deeds and have not even acknowledged.
Therefore, from the depths of my lawlessness and uncleanness, with the eyes of my mind, I behold Thee, O my Redeemer, nailed to the Cross, and, with humility and faith, I cast myself into the depths of Thy wounds, filled with Thy mercy, and I beseech Thee to forgive my sins and to reform my life of wickedness. Be merciful to me, O Lord and Judge, do not turn me away from Thy face, but, with Thy almighty hand, turn me to Thyself and guide me on the path of true repentance, that from now on I may lay the foundation of my salvation.
Shield me with Thy divine sufferings from my bodily passions; cleanse me with Thy shed Blood from my spiritual impurities; crucify me to the world and its temptations with Thy crucifixion; protect me from the invisible enemies that pursue my soul with Thy Cross. With Thy pierced feet, restrain my feet from every path of deceit; with Thy pierced hands, keep my hands from every deed that is displeasing to Thee. As my flesh is nailed to the flesh, nail my flesh to Thy fear, that I may turn away from evil and do good before Thee. Bowing Thy Head on the Cross, bow down my lifted pride to the earth; with Thy thorny crown, guard my ears, that I may not hear what is useless; having tasted gall with my lips, put a guard on my unclean lips; having my heart pierced with a spear, create a clean heart within me; with all Thy wounds, sweetly wound me with love for Thee, that I may love Thee, O my Lord, with all my soul, with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my thought.
Give me Thyself, a stranger and a beggar, where I may bow my head; give me Thyself, the All-Beneficent, who delivers my soul from death; give me Thyself, the All-Sweet, who comforts me in sorrows and afflictions with Thy love, that I may now love Him whom I formerly hated, reviled, and cast out, and whom I nailed to the Cross, and may receive Him with joy and bear His Cross until the end of my life.
Do not, O all-beneficent Redeemer, allow any of my will to be fulfilled, for it is evil and unprofitable, lest I fall again into the heavy yoke of the reigning sin within me; but may Thy good will, which desires to save me, be fulfilled in me always, to which I commit myself, presenting my heart to Thee, O crucified Lord, and praying from the depths of my soul, that even in my separation from my mortal body, I may see Thee, O One, on Thy Cross, receiving me into Thy protecting hand, and guarding me from the spirits of wickedness, and dwelling in me with those who have pleased Thee by repentance. Amen.