The Akathist to the Resurrection of Christ is a prayer that gives glory to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It helps believers to deepen their understanding of this historical event and its impact on each of our lives.
Canon 1
We, Your servants, offer to You, O Lord of Heaven and earth, a victorious hymn of thanksgiving, to You who have descended into Hades and, with Yourself, have raised up all who were there, and who are now celebrating our salvation, and we cry out to You in a bright voice:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He has trampled death and, to those in the tomb, has given life.
Ikos 1
O Angel of the Lord, on the evening of the Sabbath, you descended from Heaven in great glory, and, rolling away the stone from the door of the tomb of Jesus, you sat upon it. The guards were shaken with fear and became as dead men. We, however, worship the Risen and Living God, and we proclaim the hidden Pascha, crying out:
Christ is risen, and the princes of Hades have fallen.
Christ is risen, and the gatekeeper of Hades is terrified.
Christ is risen, and the iron gates are shattered.
Christ is risen, and the strongholds of Hades are laid waste.
Christ is risen, and Death itself is mourning.
Christ is risen, and Hades, crying out, says:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He has trampled death and, to those in the tomb, has given life.
Canon 2
When Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome saw the youth in the tomb of Jesus, clothed in white and sitting on the right, they were terrified. He said to them, “Do you seek Jesus the Crucified? He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay, and quickly go and tell His disciples:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He has trampled death and, to those in the tomb, has given life.
Ikos 2
We seek to understand the incomprehensible, Peter and the other disciple hastened to the tomb, and, entering, they saw the garments lying alone, and the cloth which was on the head of Jesus, not lying with the garments, but separate on one place. Believing, they cried out with joy:
Christ is risen, and all creation rejoices.
Christ is risen, and the heavens are filled with joy.
Christ is risen, and the angels are rejoicing with us.
Christ is risen, and the underworld is enlightened.
Christ is risen, and let us cry out with joy, O you who have been saved from death. Sing to the Lord, all the earth:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He has trampled death and, to those in the tomb, has given life.
Canon 3
The Lord clothed His disciples with power from on high after the Resurrection. They went to Galilee, to the mountain, as the Lord had commanded them, and, coming to them, the Lord said, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” They fell down before Him, crying out:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He has trampled death and, to those in the tomb, has given life.
Ikos 3
Having within her heart the love for the Teacher, Mary Magdalene, standing outside the tomb, weeping, and seeing the One risen from the dead as a gardener, she inquired: “If You have taken Him, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him.” But, exceeding all expectation, having heard: “Mary, I am ascending to My Father and to your Father and to My God and to your God,” she came to the disciples, saying:
Christ is risen, and the sting of sin has been taken away.
Christ is risen, and the world has been saved from the flood of sin.
Christ is risen, and we have been freed from the work of the enemy.
Christ is risen, and the temptation of the devil has been abolished.
Christ is risen, and the handwriting of what has been against us has been erased.
Christ is risen, and all creation has been renewed, crying out:
Christ is risen from the dead, having abolished death by death, and having given life to those in the tombs.
Kondak 4
Having within her a tempest of unprofitable thoughts, Thomas, the disciple, saying that he had seen the Lord, spoke to them: “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” But, having been convinced, he cried out with joy:
Christ is risen from the dead, having abolished death by death, and having given life to those in the tombs.
Ikos 4
Having heard Thomas, the disciple, who had seen the Lord, and desiring to see Him with his own eyes, he said: “I do not have faith.” But, after eight days, Jesus came to the sealed doors, stood in the midst of the disciples, and spoke to Thomas: “Reach out your hand and see My hands, and reach out your hand and put it into My side: and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas responded, and said:
Christ is risen, You are my Lord.
Christ is risen, You are my God.
Christ is risen, and we have received all that is not subject to decay and all that is life.
Christ is risen, and the dead have risen.
Christ is risen, and we have been delivered from judgment and from suffering.
Christ is risen, and life has shone forth from the grave for all who cry out:
Christ is risen from the dead, having abolished death by death, and having given life to those in the tombs.
Kondak 5
Thomas, the blessed twin, was not shaken by the fire of the divine nature, having touched the side of the Savior with boldness. But, having been enlightened, he knew that the God, who had taken on our salvation and had risen again with the flesh, was the same one. Therefore, he confirms the church’s faith, which he confesses, saying in agreement:
Christ is risen from the dead, having abolished death by death, and having given life to those in the tombs.
Ikos 5
Beholding Thee, O Jesus, risen from the dead, Thy disciples were filled with fear, supposing Thee to be a spirit. But Thou, O Jesus, to reassure them, showed them Thy hands and feet and side, and then, taking a piece of broiled fish, Thou didst eat before them. Thus, having been reassured, and having laid aside their fear and sorrow, they rejoiced and sang:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and bestowing life upon those in the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead, and the hellish powers have been laid low.
Christ is risen from the dead, and the darkness has been dispelled, and the malignant demons have fled.
Christ is risen from the dead, and the human nature, worn down by passions, has been renewed.
Christ is risen from the dead, and our iniquities have been cleansed.
Christ is risen from the dead, and we, all of us, clothed in incorruption, offer to Thee this hymn:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and bestowing life upon those in the grave.
Kondak 6
As Thou didst send forth Thy holy apostles into the world, O Christ, proclaiming the Gospel of Thy Resurrection, Thou didst say to them, breathing upon them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” And thus, even to this day, the children of the Church, freed from their sins, sing Thy mercy without ceasing, and with pure souls, they rejoice and sing:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and bestowing life upon those in the grave.
Ikos 6
Thou didst shine forth, O Christ, and in the dark recesses of Hades, Thou didst bring light, proclaiming forgiveness and deliverance, O Most Merciful One, to the souls that have been there from the beginning. And thus, those who were taken captive by the serpent, the murderer, having been freed, hasten towards Thy light, singing:
Christ is risen, and our bonds have been torn asunder.
Christ is risen, and the shadow of death has been transformed into eternal life.
Christ is risen, and the power of death can no longer hold man captive.
Christ is risen, and the boldness of the tormentors has been laid low.
Christ is risen, and paradise has been given to us instead of hell.
Christ is risen, and the world sings Thy praise eternally:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and bestowing life upon those in the grave.
Kondak 7
Although Thou didst come to serve the fallen Adam, O our Savior, Thou didst appear on earth, and on earth, Thou didst not find him, but even to the depths of Hades, Thou didst descend, seeking to save all those who were there, and with them, all the saved sing:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and bestowing life upon those in the grave.
Ikos 7
O Lord, You have established the beginning of new life through Your glorious Resurrection. All the old things have passed away: death, hell, the power of the devil, and all that was contrary to Your will. Therefore, all creation is now free and is recognized as such, and before being shrouded in darkness, it now rejoices as children of God, singing:
Christ is risen, pouring out boundless mercy and compassion upon our race.
Christ is risen, raising us from the depths with Himself.
Christ is risen, and we are delivered from the snares of demons.
Christ is risen, and the sorrow of sin has been transformed into the sweetness of eternal life.
Christ is risen, and the tree of death has been uprooted.
Christ is risen, and He has restored us to our former glory, so that we may cry out:
Christ is risen from the dead, having conquered death by death, and granting life to those in the tomb.
Kondak 8
While traveling with Cleopas and Luke, sixty stadia from Jerusalem, and not recognizing You, O Savior, they mocked Your ignorance and hardness of heart, saying, “Is it not fitting to suffer with Christ and enter into His glory?” And, beginning from Moses and all the prophets, You taught them to pray:
Christ is risen from the dead, having conquered death by death, and granting life to those in the tomb.
Ikos 8
O Savior, You, who are the very essence of God and the perfect man, gave Yourself to Your two disciples in Emmaus, when You took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized You, though You were invisible to them, and they said to themselves:
Christ is risen, and life has been established.
Christ is risen, and the devil’s deceit has been exposed.
Christ is risen, and the idolatrous sacrifice has ceased.
Christ is risen, and the whole earth offers Him a sacrifice of praise.
Christ is risen, and we, who once tasted the old bread, now partake of the eternal bread.
Christ is risen, and we are partakers of the eternal joys, singing:
Christ is risen from the dead, having conquered death by death, and granting life to those in the tomb.
Kondak 9
All the angels, O Christ, Savior, sing Your Resurrection in heaven. Grant us, on earth, to sing with a pure heart in joy:
Christ is risen from the dead, having conquered death by death, and granting life to those in the tomb.
Ikos 9
The venerable Paul, the teacher of languages, like a trumpet, cries out:
“Christ is risen from the dead, the beginning of the resurrection of the dead. Just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, we cry out in joy:
Christ is risen, and the prince of this world has been cast down.
Christ is risen, and hell trembles.
Christ is risen, and death has been conquered by victory.
Christ is risen, and hell has been taken captive by His power.
Christ is risen, and we are freed from the unbreakable bonds of hell.
Christ is risen, and we, having been delivered from the abyss, have become sons of the resurrection, and we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead, having conquered death by death, and granting life to those in the tomb.
Condk 10
Save, O Lord, the human race from the work of the enemy, for You endured crucifixion and death, and having been buried, on the third day You rose from the dead. And the same Angel, shining in the tomb, proclaims to the women, saying:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He destroyed death, and to those in the tomb He gave life.
Icos 10
On the third day after the Resurrection, Jesus appeared on the Sea of Tiberias to Simon Peter, and Thomas, and Nathanael, and the sons of Zebedee, along with two of His disciples, and, as the Lord of all, He commands them to cast the net on the right side of the boat, and immediately the word became a deed, and a multitude of fish were caught, and a strange supper was prepared on the land. May we now mentally partake of it and be enabled to do so, O Lord, by those who sing:
Christ is risen, and He has been given authority in heaven and on earth.
Christ is risen, and the Kingdom of God has come.
Christ is risen, and His Body, as the Bread of Life, is received by all.
Christ is risen, and His Blood, as the Fountain of Immortality, is tasted.
Christ is risen, and Adam, having been set free, rejoices with us.
Christ is risen, and Eve, having been delivered from bondage, rejoices, saying:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He destroyed death, and to those in the tomb He gave life.
Condk 11
Peter, having offered a hymn of all-honorable praise to the Risen One, having previously denied Him three times, and having confessed, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You,” he also hears from Him the sweetest call to the flock once again: “Feed My sheep, feed My lambs.” Therefore, he also cries out:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He destroyed death, and to those in the tomb He gave life.
Icos 11
As the Giver of Light, You shone forth like the sun on the third day after the tomb, and You illuminated all with the light of true knowledge. Therefore, those sitting in the darkness of unbelief and doubt are assured, along with the apostles, that You are the Lord, and they no longer ask, “Who are You?” But, glorifying the Risen One, we cry out in humility:
Christ is risen, and all things are illuminated by His Resurrection.
Christ is risen, and eternal light shines in the darkness and shadow of death for those sitting in it.
Christ is risen, and He gives the hidden, heavenly light to the faithful.
Christ is risen, and the spiritual eyes of the blind are opened.
Christ is risen, and we have come to know the Father of Lights.
Christ is risen, that all who have rejected the Lord of glory may be put to shame, and with us may sing:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He destroyed death, and to those in the tomb He gave life.
Кондак 12
By Thy grace, O Christ, Thou hast indicated to every man the most convenient path of salvation, saying to Simon Peter: “When thou art old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldest not,” foretelling the manner in which Thou shalt glorify God. And to Thy beloved disciple Thou hast commanded to remain, until Thou comest. And thus, although the apostles were separated, yet bound together by the bond of love, we sing in harmony:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He destroyed death, and to those in the tomb He has given life.
Икос 12
Singing Thy three-day Resurrection, O Christ, we rejoice in Thy unbroken promise. For Thou hast promised to be with us until the end of the age, delivering us from every evil and guiding us to eternal life. Therefore, glorifying Thee, we cry out:
Christ is risen, and we are delivered from every evil now.
Christ is risen, and He has seated us at His right hand.
Christ is risen, and He has made us partakers of His eternal glory.
Christ is risen, and He has crushed the ancient strong enemy of our father.
Christ is risen, and we, who were previously rejected by the angels, are now dwelling with them.
Christ is risen, and He will raise up all who call upon Him:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He destroyed death, and to those in the tomb He has given life.
Кондак 13
O great and most holy Pascha, O Christ Jesus, our Savior, we gratefully confess Thy saving great mercy, for Thou hast again vouchsafed to us, unworthy ones, to taste the joy of Thy radiant Resurrection. Grant us to partake of Thee in the day of Thy Kingdom, more and more perfectly, O Sweetest One, that we may sing with the angels and all the saints, in all the ages of ages:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He destroyed death, and to those in the tomb He has given life.
[This kondak is read three times.]
[We repeat the 1st Ikos and Kondak:]
Икос 1
The angel of the Lord, in the evening of the Sabbath, descended from heaven in great glory, rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulcher of Jesus, and sat upon it. The guards were shaken with fear, and became as dead men. We, however, worship the Risen Living God, and proclaim the hidden Pascha, crying out:
Christ is risen, and the princes of Hades have fallen.
Christ is risen, and the keeper of the gates of Hades has been terrified.
Christ is risen, and the iron gates have been shattered.
Christ is risen, and the strongholds of Hades have been laid waste.
Christ is risen, and death is lamenting.
Christ is risen, and Hades, weeping, cries out:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He destroyed death, and to those in the tomb He has given life.
Canon 1
We offer to You, O Lord of Heaven and earth, our victorious thanksgiving hymn, O Master, to You, our Lord, who have descended into Hades and have resurrected all with You, and who are celebrating our salvation, shining brightly, we cry out:
Christ is risen from the dead, by death He destroyed death, and to those in the tomb He gave life.
Prayer to the Risen Savior
Glorify You, O Lord Jesus Christ, my God, for You have again deigned to grant me, a most unworthy one, to venerate Your divine Passion and to behold the joyful day of Your glorious Resurrection from the tomb, in which You have freed those bound in Hades by eternal chains. Grant me, O dearest Savior, the divine freedom of spirit and body, and I desire that You may resolve my many sins, and that You may cause the radiant light of Your Resurrection to shine in my darkened soul: for I behold Your boundless mercies and Your ineffable philanthropy, for You have not only brought me from non-being into being, but have also adorned me with Your image, and have made me a ruler over all creation, but even when I fell from the heights and became a slave to the enemy, You did not abandon me, but, having redeemed me with Your precious Blood, You have supplied me with the gift of baptism, that I may rise to my former estate. But I, wretched one, having been led astray by my fleshly mind, have turned back and again become a slave to sin and passions, until I have destroyed all the gifts of Your grace, one by one. And now, I do not know what to do: but, remembering the words of Your holy lips, that You have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, and I, as one of these, come to Your Life-giving Tomb with faith and humility, not bearing incense or perfume (for I am poor and devoid of good deeds), but rather having hope of obtaining forgiveness for my sins and renewal of my impure life in it. Look upon me, therefore, O Lord, who am repentant and desiring to serve You, and do not reject me from the grace of Your Resurrection! By Your Life-giving Death and Burial, put to death my bitter passions, that I, as one dead and buried, may live in this world. By Your glorious Resurrection, raise up my soul, which has been killed by sin, and revive my conscience, which is of no use in this world. By Your Ascension, deliver me from the vanities and fleeting pleasures of the earth, and make me to think on heavenly things, that I may not live for myself and for the things that please me, but may serve and work for You, O Lord and my God, as I have been granted to venerate Your Resurrection on earth, so may I be granted to behold You, my dearest Savior, and to be crowned with glory and honor in heaven, and to stand at Your right hand, with the Archangels and Angels, and with all my brethren who have been redeemed by You, and to sing to You forever and ever: Alleluia. Amen.