Akathist Hymn to Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul

Kontakion 1

Our Lord said of Himself: I am the Good Shepherd. To you the Chief Apostle Peter, He said: If you love Me, feed My sheep. And Peter said: Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. I am Jesus, He said to you, O Paul the Chief Apostle, and of you, our Lord said: This is My chosen instrument to carry My Name before the Gentiles. Jesus instructed those who were your fellow disciples as well as His apostles: As My Father sent Me, so have I sent you, go and make disciples of all nations. Since you have the same grace from your Master, as after our Lord the Great Pastor of all, shepherd us to salvation that we may call to you:

Rejoice, Saints Peter and Paul together with all the holy apostles.

Ikos 1

Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah, for Christ the Son of the Living God said to you, O Apostle Peter: You are worthy of glory. How may we be worthy of your blessedness, O blessed one of God? Truly, because of our loving duty, we may come to you in faith and now we sing to you:

Rejoice, Apostle Peter, first after Christ among the apostles and foundation of the Holy Church.

Rejoice, powerful pillar of the Orthodox Faith and Its confirmation.

Rejoice, zealous lover of the teachings of Christ.

Rejoice, first-seated of the Apostolic College.

Rejoice, good gatekeeper of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Rejoice, renowned physician of those who repent of their sins.

Rejoice, rejecter of worldly vanity and lover of the spiritual life.

Rejoice, renouncer of material nets and fisherman of the universe with imperishable nets.

Rejoice, Peter and Paul, who enlighten like two golden luminaries.

Rejoice, twins yoked together by God, and His chariots bearing the light of knowledge.

Rejoice, all you holy apostles, seers of God, for you are lights of the world.

Rejoice, for through you, through Christ, everywhere the Faith that saves us shines forth.

Rejoice, Saints Peter and Paul together with all the holy apostles.

Kontakion 2

You believed, having accepted the miraculous call from above, O teacher of nations, when Jesus said to you: Saul, why do you persecute Me Who cannot be comprehended by doubt? But from now on, you will believe because the boldness of the adversary is overcome. You have been chosen as witness of My destiny before kings and nations and before the sons of Israel. Hereafter, you understood, Apostle Paul chosen by God, for you cried out: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Saul heard the voice from Heaven and after that he could not see for he had persecuted the incomprehensible One, and for zeal of the Law he exchanged his sight. However, he was led to the font and received Baptism by faith, and in immersion he gained sight in both his physical and spiritual eyes. Awed by your wondrous calling, we gratefully cry out to you:

Rejoice, Apostle Paul, called by God, for you were sent to preach to all nations.

Rejoice, for you flow with sweet faith in Christ toward all men.

Rejoice, eyewitness illumined by the Divine Light from above.

Rejoice, for you were enlightened above others by grace after the shadow of the Law.

Rejoice, converser with the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on earth.

Rejoice, for you were strengthened by Him Whom you denounced with daring faithlessness.

Rejoice, enlightener of the entire world by your divinely inspired writings.

Rejoice, laborer above others, after Christ, for the salvation of mankind.

Rejoice, Peter and Paul, for you are like two cherubim covering the ark of the Holy Church.

Rejoice, for you are like two seraphim standing before the Throne of the Most Holy.

Rejoice, stars who crown the Church, the Bride of Christ.

Rejoice, all you holy apostles, for you are proclaimers of the glory of God in Heaven.

Rejoice, Saints Peter and Paul together with all the holy apostles.

Kontakion 3

You were filled with wondrous fear, holy Apostle Peter, when you saw the sheet being lowered from above and in it was a parable of God’s love of mankind. All the animals, even the unclean, symbolized that it is not right to turn away those of other nations who desire to believe in Christ Jesus. Peter, having understood this mystery, cried out: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

The defiled nurture of the evil and impious generation has never entered my mouth, you said, most blessed Apostle Peter. Notwithstanding, the Divine Wisdom answered you with a voice from Heaven: What God has cleansed, you must not call common. By this was signified that the Savior did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. This which was revealed to you, we have understood and now we may sing:

Rejoice, Apostle Peter, for you mercifully reveal the Kingdom of Heaven.

Rejoice, for you regard not the exterior but the deeds of all nations.

Rejoice, for you cover with your love our many sins.

Rejoice, for you fulfill with your mercy our meager repentance.

Rejoice, quick helper of those who call to you in time of spiritual trouble.

Rejoice, honorable uplifter of the dead in spirit and body by your prayers.

Rejoice, by the Holy Spirit you strengthen the faithful who hear your words.

Rejoice, for your words are like darts which strike the faithless.

Rejoice, Peter and Paul, two eyes of the Church who see divine things.

Rejoice, righteous protectors of the New Israel.

Rejoice, all you holy apostles who stand as vigilant guards on the walls of Jerusalem.

Rejoice, our instructors who are concerned for all Christian souls.

Rejoice, Saints Peter and Paul together with all the holy apostles.

Kontakion 4

You began your preaching to the Jews dwelling in Damascus, O divinely inspired Apostle Paul, calling them to believe in Christ Jesus the Son of God. You wondrously led them into belief, for you yourself came to believe in the Name of Jesus Christ whose followers you had persecuted. When others conspired to kill you, and you saw their plan and the hardness of their hearts, you handed them over to their own blindness and faithlessness. Then, by the faithful, you were lowered to safety over the wall in a basket and you cried out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Apostle Paul, you preached with mighty zeal the renunciation of past services to the ancient Law and circumcision. You called all to approach the font of divine Baptism. You preached not only to the Hebrews, but also to the Gentiles of whom you became a most beloved teacher. For this cause we truly call to you:

Rejoice, Apostle Paul, preacher sent by God to proclaim repentance to sinners.

Rejoice, evangelizer of virtue and denouncer of evil.

Rejoice, merciful greeter to faith in Christ of those lost Gentiles who have found the Way.

Rejoice, true instructor of the True Way.

Rejoice, saving-vessel of those drowning in their sins.

Rejoice, pilot who guides us into the harbor of pleasing God.

Rejoice, comforter who comes quickly to the aid of those who suffer.

Rejoice, unmercenary healer of those who suffer physical and spiritual weaknesses.

Rejoice, Peter and Paul, two wings of the Church given by Christ the Great Eagle.

Rejoice, two wings of the dove given by the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, all you holy apostles, pure like doves and soaring on wings like eagles.

Rejoice, those who were assembled together when Christ was in the flesh.

Rejoice, Saints Peter and Paul together with all the holy apostles.

Kontakion 5

Holy Apostle Peter, you were a fisherman laboring by the sweat of your brow when you were called to be an apostle. You believed in Christ who nourishes wholly and who fed five thousand from five loaves of bread. Following Him in search of the imperishable food which is for eternal life, you cried to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

You were barred by the high priests and elders of Judea to teach in the Name of the Lord Jesus, O blessed Apostle Peter. You then armored yourself with the assurance of the Faith saying that, above all, one must submit to God rather than to men. For this you suffered imprisonment and wounds. Yet, you left rejoicing after you appeared before the Council, and for the Name of the Lord you were counted worthy to bear persecution. We now come to you rejoicing and say:

Rejoice, Apostle Peter, victor over the gathering of Jews, with the writings of the prophets concerning Christ.

Rejoice, destroyer of the spider’s web of arguments of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Rejoice, worker of many miracles by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, for you give mobility to the crippled and sight to the blind.

Rejoice, for you raised from the bed of illness by your shadow.

Rejoice, healer of many who suffered from evil spirits.

Rejoice, fisherman who calls us to miraculous fishing.

Rejoice, for you attract unbelievers to true belief by your evangelical eloquence.

Rejoice, Peter and Paul, two sources of nourishment of the Church our Mother and the Bride of Christ.

Rejoice, two vines of grapes who nourish us and make us rejoice.

Rejoice, all you holy apostles, for you are true branches of the True Vine.

Rejoice, for you are good laborers in the vineyard of Christ.

Rejoice, Saints Peter and Paul together with all the holy apostles.

Kontakion 6

Saint Paul, you were an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin according to the Law of the Pharisees — who in zeal persecuted the Church of God when you were called to be an apostle. This you did conceal, but then revealed your former zeal when you punished the unfaithful of Jesus Christ. Even as you greatly persecuted the Church of God, so now is She gloriously adorned by you, and by your wondrous writings She is firmly established and cries out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

What shall separate us from the love of God — sorrow, or anguish, or persecution or any other thing? O God-loving preacher Apostle Paul, you spoke this and brought together all those who believed in Christ through your sincerity in His love. For the sake of God you suffered courageously, and with thanksgiving we lovingly call to you thus:

Rejoice, Apostle Paul, for zealous in the Law you were called Saul.

Rejoice, for as perfect lover of Christ you were named Paul.

Rejoice, for in the light of Divine Wisdom you enlightened those in the shadow of ignorance.

Rejoice, guiding-star who guides those lost in the depths of lawlessness.

Rejoice, for you betrothed the souls of the faithful to Christ, calling them to the heavenly mansions.

Rejoice, for having yourself suffered many sorrows, you encouraged others to be patient in their suffering.

Rejoice, by your hands the power of God was made manifest.

Rejoice, by your handkerchief the infirm were healed.

Rejoice, Peter and Paul, two lofty pillars of the Church, asserted by the heavenly Solomon.

Rejoice, two pure lilies on the pillars of the Church who beautify the Holy Place of God.

Rejoice, all you holy apostles who are like flowers exuding perfume for all the world.

Rejoice, by your sweet-smelling fragrance you ward off evil-smelling unrighteousness.

Rejoice, Saints Peter and Paul together with all the holy apostles.

Kontakion 7

Saint Peter, you arrived in Lydda where Aeneas had been bedridden for eight years with paralysis, and all the people marveled when you raised him up to walk in the Name of Jesus Christ. By prayer you restored the dead Tabitha to life in Joppa. When you were called to Caeserea, you enlightened the centurion Cornelius — baptizing him together with those of his household, and for his sake we all now call out in one spirit: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Simon the Magician thought that he could acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit with silver, and the blessed Apostle Peter denounced him as the inheritor of damnation along with his silver. This avaricious attitude of simony is like stealing holy things and this you strictly prohibited, and so we rightfully call to you in this manner:

Rejoice, Apostle Peter, enricher of the Church of Christ with spiritual grace.

Rejoice, forbidder of the acceptance of payment for the sacred in the Church.

Rejoice, you by whom the love of silver as the root of all evil was severed from spiritual grace.

Rejoice, you by whom evil bribery, even as idolatry, was rejected from the Holy Church.

Rejoice, teacher for the sake of Christ of the unmercenary life of non-acquisition.

Rejoice, good fulfiller of Christ’s commandment that one cannot serve God and mammon.

Rejoice, punisher with harsh death the robbery of the sacred by Ananias.

Rejoice, punisher also of Sapphira who conspired with her husband.

Rejoice, Peter and Paul, two olive trees who bear mercy.

Rejoice, two candles who illuminate with wisdom.

Rejoice, all you holy apostles who are like fruitful olive trees.

Rejoice, for you are all brightly burning candles in the House of God.

Rejoice, Saints Peter and Paul together with all the holy apostles.

Kontakion 8

Holy Apostle Paul, blessed by God, you attained to the third heaven because of your physical and spiritual holiness, and God enriched you with ineffable gifts when you descended from the third heaven. You revealed wise and divinely inspired teachings to all. You amazed all people, both Jews and Gentiles, who were believers in Christ. Now, together with them and with all the faithful, we are learners of heavenly teachings and we cry out: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

You were an example of faith, O Apostle Paul, bearing many wounds from the sword and on your flesh the marks of stoning which you bore joyously for the sake of the Sweet Jesus. You heard the call of God and were delivered over to punishment for your belief in Christ Jesus — as it is right indeed to bear all sorrows with thankfulness. We therefore come to you in lowliness and cry to you:

Rejoice, Apostle Paul, for you bore joyously in your body the wounds of the Lord Jesus.

Rejoice, precious stone, strong in soul and body, who deeply suffered all sorrows.

Rejoice, worshipper of the True God, for you heeded the call to follow Christ and serve the Church.

Rejoice, incomparable witness of Christ before peoples and kings.

Rejoice, unconquerable teacher before the teachers of the Law of Israel.

Rejoice, light-giving ray which shone forth on the earth below from the third heaven above.

Rejoice, fruitful branch which springs forth from Paradise with ripe spiritual food.

Rejoice, for the benefits of your labors, like the sweetest fruit in all the earth, nourished the faithful.

Rejoice, for your teachings, like a never-waning light, illumined all the earth under the heavens.

Rejoice, Peter and Paul, two fig trees planted in the midst of Paradise — the Church.

Rejoice, for you brought forth the fruit of life and good understanding.

Rejoice, all you holy apostles who are like bountiful fig trees and cedars of contemplation.

Rejoice, Saints Peter and Paul together with all the holy apostles.

Kontakion 9

You were concerned about all, O blessed Apostle Peter, including those coming into the Christian Faith — in which the heart and mind must act in harmony. Therefore, to meet their needs you presented them with virtuous Stephen as a servant together with six deacons. You and the other apostles then diligently applied yourselves by prayer and the words of teaching, instructing all believers who call in one spirit to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

You were inflamed with zeal for your Lord when you cut off the ear of Malchus who was unwilling to listen to the testimony of the prophets about Jesus Christ. However, you were restrained by your Master, O holy Apostle Peter, and you were grateful for His reprimand and for all the hostile actions which you suffered with patience. Remembering your zeal, we call to you in unity:

Rejoice, Apostle Peter, for you surpassed in your zeal the other disciples.

Rejoice, for you were a courageous warrior of Christ in the garden.

Rejoice, for you followed Jesus in His Passion to the house of Caiaphas.

Rejoice, for you were ready to suffer imprisonment and even death for your Lord.

Rejoice, for your bitter tears healed your weakness which had led to denial of Christ.

Rejoice, for you were called to the first rank after the Resurrection of our Lord.

Rejoice, for you have given an image of repentance for others who have likewise sinned.

Rejoice, for you counseled repeated forgiveness of the weaknesses of repentant sinners.

Rejoice, Peter and Paul, two tablets of the Commandments of the Lord.

Rejoice, teachers of the love of God and of our neighbor.

Rejoice, all you holy apostles, for you preserved in totality all the Commandments of our Lord.

Rejoice, for you left all and walked in the footsteps of Christ and found Him to be all in all.

Rejoice, Saints Peter and Paul together with all the holy apostles.

Kontakion 10

Apostle Paul, called by God, you were a powerful witness who proclaimed from the writings of the prophets concerning Christ before the leaders of Judea — at the trial before Festus and before King Agrippa. Before both, you were falsely charged, as many books have also written, and in fury you were sentenced to be sent to Rome. All this you suffered in thanksgiving and you cried out together with the faithful people of God: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Apostle Paul, you proclaimed the life-giving Trinity as you had been taught in the third heaven. O pre-ordained vessel of the wondrous divine mysteries, you evangelized nations, judges and kings –promising salvation to all who willed to believe in Jesus Christ and who accepted holy Baptism in the Name of the Trinity. For that reason, all who believe in divine hope of salvation sing to you thus: