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Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
anonymous tr., 1919
Chapter 12
Hymn
“Let every earth-born mortal leap in spirit, and carry torches, and let the whole nature of disembodied Mind celebrate and honour the divine Festival of the Mother of God, and let them cry: Hail, all-blessed, pure, and ever-virgin Theotokos.”
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
Verses
Deliver us, O Maiden, from temptation, from heathen assault, and from every other ill which threatens sinful mortals owing to the multitude of their trangressions, so that we, the faithful, to thee may cry aloud, “Hail”; for through thee we become partakers of everlasting joy.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
Thou hast appeared as our light and our confirmation, wherefore we cry to thee: Hail, unsetting star which led the mighty Sun into the world; hail, pure Maiden who openedst closed-up Eden; hail, fiery column, leading mankind to a higher life.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
Let us stand with reverence in the House of our God, and let us cry aloud: Hail, Mistress of the world; hail, Mary, Lady of us all; hail, thou who alone art blameless and noble among women; hail, Vessel receiving the unemptied Myrrh which into thee was emptied out.
Glory be to the Father . . .
Hail, O ever Virgin, the Dove which engendered Him Who is merciful. Hail, boast of all the Saints and crown of those who strive; hail, divine ornament of all the just and salvation of us the faithful.
Both now, and for ever . . .
Spare, O God, Thine inheritance and overlook now all our sins, for Thou hast near Thee, her who earnestly entreats and on earth blamelessly bore Thee, O Christ, Thou Who wast willing through Thy great mercy to take upon Thyself an alien form.