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Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
anonymous tr., 1919
Chapter 5
Choir. To thee, the Champion Leader, do I, thy City, ascribe thank-offerings of victory, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered me from terrors; but as thou hast invincible power, do thou free me from every kind of danger, so that to thee I may cry: Hail, thou Bride unwedded.
Priest. Gloriously the Angels hymned the incarnate Presence of Christ, and the shepherds heard; and hastening as to a Shepherd, they beheld Him as a Lamb without spot, reposing on Mary’s breast, and her they hymned and they said:
Hail, Mother of the Lamb and of the Shepherd; hail, Fold for the sheep of His pasture.
Hail, Bulwark from invisible foes; hail, opener of the Gates of Paradise.
Hail, for the things of Heaven rejoice with the earth; hail, for the things of earth join chorus with the Heavens.
Hail, never-silent Voice of the Apostles; hail, never-conquered courage of the Champions.
Hail, firm Support of faith; hail, shining Token of grace.
Hail, thou through whom Hades was laid bare; hail, thou through whom we are clothed with glory.
Hail, thou Bride unwedded.
Choir. Hail, thou Bride unwedded.
Priest. High in the heavens the Magi beheld the Godward-pointing Star, and they followed its rays and kept it as a beacon before them; through it they sought a mighty King, and as they approached the Unapproachable they rejoiced and cried to Him: Alleluia.
Choir. Alleluia.
Priest. In the Virgin’s hand the sons of the Chaldees saw Him Who with His Hand had made man; and knowing Him as Master, though He had taken the form of a servant, they hastened with gifts to do homage, and cried to her who is blessed:
Hail, Mother of the Star that never sets; hail, Dawn of the mystic Day.
Hail, thou who quenchest the furnace of error; hail, thou who enlightenest those who know the Trinity.
Hail, thou who castest out the inhuman tyrant of old; hail, thou who showest forth the Lord, the merciful Christ.
Hail, thou who redeemest from the creeds of barbarism; hail, thou who releasest from the morass of evil deeds.
Hail, thou who madest the worship of fire to cease; hail, thou who madest the flame of suffering to be allayed.
Hail, Guide of the wisdom of the faithful; hail, Joy of all generations.
Hail, thou Bride unwedded.
Choir. Hail, thou Bride unwedded.
Priest. King’s messengers, the Wise Men became, when they returned to Babylon; they fulfilled Thy prophecy and to all preached Thee as the Christ, and they left Herod as a trifler, who knew not how to cry: Alleluia.
Choir. Alleluia.
Priest. Lighting in Egypt the lamp of truth, Thou, O Saviour, didst cast out the darkness of falsehood, and their idols endured not Thy strength but fell; and those among them who were saved cried to the Mother of God:
Hail, uplifting of men; hail, downfall of demons.
Hail, thou who tramplest upon the wanderings of error; hail, thou who refutest the lies of idols.
Hail, Sea which drowned Pharaoh and his schemes; hail, Rock which refreshed those athirst for Life.
Hail, fiery Pillar, leading those in darkness; hail, Shelter of the world, broader than a cloud.
Hail, Sustenance in succession to Manna; hail, messenger of holy joy.
Hail, Land of promise; hail, thou from whence flow honey and milk.
Hail, thou Bride unwedded.
Choir. Hail, thou Bride unwedded.
Priest. Marvelling at Thine ineffable wisdom when Thou wast presented to him as a new-born Babe, Simeon, who was nearing his time of departure from this age of error, recognised Thee as perfect God and he cried: Alleluia.
Choir. Alleluia.