The Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God of Iveron
Kontakion
1
O chosen
Champion, Our Lady the Mother of God, we thy servants bring thee a song of
praise, bearing as it were thine honoured image in procession like a mighty
shield, an unbreakable wall, an unsleeping guard; and thou, as thou hast
invincible power, cover and protect us, Lady, from all our enemies seen and
unseen, and deliver us from all harm to body or soul, who cry to thee: Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Ikos
1
The leader of
the angels was sent to speak to the Mother of God, that her apostolic service
might fall upon the land of Iviron: Separate not thyself from Jerusalem, for it
is thy lot to enlighten her in the last days; for God hath laid it upon thee to
work for the world: wherefore we cry to thee:
Rejoice, by
whom the Gospel is spread abroad.
Rejoice, by
whom the lure of idols is made vain.
Rejoice, by
whom the power of the Prince of Darkness is broken.
Rejoice, by
whom the Kingdom of Christ is confirmed.
Rejoice,
recalling to the light of the Gospel those sunken in darkness.
Rejoice,
leading us from the slavery of the Devil into the glorious liberty of the
children of God.
Rejoice, ready
handmaid of thy Son and God.
Rejoice, by
thy obedience atoning for the disobedience of Eve.
Rejoice,
height of beneficence.
Rejoice, depth
of humility.
Rejoice, by
whom the unbelieving come to know the Creator.
Rejoice, by
whom the faithful are adopted as sons by the Father.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
2
The Holy
Virgin seeing the wonderful new plan of God, as his handmaid was as ever ready
to carry it out, crying: Alleluia.
Ikos
2
The mysterious
meaning of the Angel's word was clear to thee, Purest One, and in obedience to
it thou didst wend thy way to Mount Athos, to spread the Gospel, as the lot
fell to thee. And we joyfully sing to thee:
Rejoice,
illuminating Athos with thy coming.
Rejoice,
dispersing the darkness of idols.
Rejoice,
planting there the true faith.
Rejoice,
driving out unbelief.
Rejoice,
taking this Mountain into thy care.
Rejoice,
promising grace to this place.
Rejoice,
bestowing earthly joy on the faithful dwellers therein.
Rejoice,
assuring them of eternal salvation.
Rejoice,
fervent intercessor for those in thy care.
Rejoice,
destroyer of all their foes.
Rejoice,
promising thy Son' s mercy to this place till the end of time.
Rejoice,
foretelling that his grace should never leave it.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
3
At the
intercession of the Mother of God, the power of the Most High overshadowed the
holy mountain, and its glens and thickets appeared as a great harvest-field
full of religious eager to reap their salvation, as they sang to her: Alleluia.
Ikos
3
Having in mind
the lot of the people of the land of Iviron, thou didst settle thyself in their
midst, even upon Mount Athos, to them all a shelter, a quiet harbour of
salvation to them, giving them thy icon as a shield and guard, and all cried
out:
Rejoice,
glorious preacher of the Gospel in the land of Iviron.
Rejoice,
turning this land from the lure of idols to the light of Christ.
Rejoice, branch
of the deathless Vine, giving wondrous grapes.
Rejoice,
bearing branches of miracle-grapes and the blessings of faith.
Rejoice, who
hast planted a spritiual garden on Athos.
Rejoice,
watering the land of Iviron with the stream of spiritual enlightenment flowing
therefrom.
Rejoice, fair
speech from lips of gold.
Rejoice,
unshakable tower of the fortress.
Rejoice,
strength of honourable Tsars.
Rejoice,
protecting wall of monks.
Rejoice, quiet
harbour for those who seek salvation.
Rejoice,
preparing for them an endless rest.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
4
The noble
widow was tossed by a storm of inward doubts, when in Nicea, perplexed, she saw
the sacrilegious warrior pierce with his spear the face of the holy and
honoured icon of the Mother of God, and blood issuing from it; seized with fear
lest the holy icon be defaced, with prayers and tears she flung it into the
sea. But seeing it on the surface of the water making its way towards the west,
she cried joyfully: Alleluia.
Ikos
4
When the monks
of the holy mountain saw it proceeding over the sea like a burning flame, even
a pillar of fire, lighting up the heavens like the shining sun, and in the
night drawing near to the shore; and knowing it for the holy icon of the Mother
of God, borne on the waves by a supernatural power, they cried to the Blessed
One:
Rejoice,
Burning Bush, foreseen by those who kept the law.
Rejoice,
pillar of fire, enlightening those who sit in darkness.
Rejoice,
stairway leading up to Heaven, whereby God came down.
Rejoice,
bridge leading creatures from earth to Heaven.
Rejoice, dawn
of the mysterious day.
Rejoice, star
that brought forth the sun.
Rejoice, who
gavest birth to the light that is beyond words.
Rejoice, who
hast taught no one how it was done.
Rejoice,
clothed with the sun, radiant with grace and glory.
Rejoice,
lightning, illuminating souls, lighting up faithful minds.
Rejoice,
radiance shining in darkness.
Rejoice,
bringing forth the many splendid glory.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
5
Wishing to
give thy God-sent icon to the dwellers in Iviron, thou didst speak, Mother of
God, to the Elder Gabriel: "Go down with the choir of monks to the
seashore, enter the water and bring up my icon;" and he, filled with faith
and love, walked over the water as if on dry land, took it in his bosom, and
they, receiving the treasure, all unworthy of it, to be their own icon of
Iviron, joyfully sang: Alleluia.
Ikos
5
The monks of
Iviron, seeing the icon of the Mother of God many times rise out of its shrine
and fly up the wall above the monastery gate, borne by an invisible force, were
terrified, and standing cried to her thus:
Rejoice,
deigning to bestow on us thy holy icon.
Rejoice,
promising us to be our defence.
Rejoice,
showing thy love to our hermitage.
Rejoice,
showing thy beneficient plan for us.
Rejoice, our
help in strange lands.
Rejoice, our
comfort on pilgrimages.
Rejoice, God's
goodness to us.
Rejoice, our
boldness to God.
Rejoice, who
dost dry our tears.
Rejoice,
protectress of us orphans.
Rejoice, our
defender.
Rejoice, our
only joy.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
6
When the elder
Gabriel had done thy will, thou saidst to him, O Lady: "I have not come to
be preserved by you, but to be your preserver, both in this world and the world
to come. Behold, I give you a sign: as long as you see my icon in this monastery,
my Son's mercy will not be withdrawn from you, who all cry to him:
Alleluia."
Ikos
6
The monks,
beaming with joy on hearing thy great promise, Mother of God, raised a shrine
above the gate of the monastery to the heavenly Lady of the Portal, joyfully
crying out thus:
Rejoice, our
protectress in this life.
Rejoice, our
leader into the next.
Rejoice,
teaching us the fear of God.
Rejoice,
setting us in the way of good works.
Rejoice, our
boldness and our hope.
Rejoice, our
confidence and protection.
Rejoice, inclining
to us the Son, the fruit of thy womb.
Rejoice,
giving us good news of his inalienable grace among us.
Rejoice,
giving thy holy icon to us as a pledge of mercy.
Rejoice,
giving with it miraculous gifts.
Rejoice,
turning away all threat of evil from our retreat.
Rejoice,
giving all a safe going-out.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
7
One day the
wicked Amir thought to destroy the Iverskaya hermitage, and scatter the flock
of monks gathered there; but soon after he learned that the Mother of God was
their strong defence, as he saw his ships flounder in the depths of the sea,
and his warriors destroyed; whereupon he humbly brought silver and gold to the
hermitage, asking their prayers. The monks, seeing this, cried to God:
Alleluia.
Ikos
7
And new and
countless miracles wrought the Mother of God, filling the hermitage with wine,
flour and oil, healing those possessed of devils, making the lame to go, the
blind to see, and curing all ills, and those who saw these marvels sang to
thee:
Rejoice,
chosen Champion, conquering the enemies of all.
Rejoice, swift
help of all who cry to thee.
Rejoice, who
dost not despise our prayers.
Rejoice, who
goest not back on thy word.
Rejoice,
turning the grief of the hermitage into joy.
Rejoice,
turning the dearth of the hermitage into abundance.
Rejoice, sight
of the blind.
Rejoice, going
of the lame.
Rejoice,
healer of all the sick.
Rejoice,
comfort of all the unhappy.
Rejoice, who
never ceasest to plan for us and save us.
Rejoice,
delivering us from a troubled mind.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
8
The Patriarch
Nikon, hearing of the wonderful protection given by the icon of the Mother of
God to the monastery of Iviron, would fain have the land of Russia share in her
grace; wherefore he set up a monastery in honour of the glorious image,
respectfully soliciting a copy of the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God,
that those who enjoyed her protection might cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos
8
Ever dwelling
on high, but not forsaking the lowly, thou deignedst, Mother of God, to give
the new monastery in the land of Russia thy blessing, even as of old to ancient
Antony on Mount Athos when he established his holy cave-dwelling; even the
blessing wherewith thou didst bless Athos, in honour of thy revered image.
Wherefore we cry to thee:
Rejoice,
protectress of the land of Russia, broader than a cloud.
Rejoice,
defence and strengthening of the Orthodox faith.
Rejoice,
unshakable pillar of the Orthodox Church.
Rejoice, who
castest down heresy and schism.
Rejoice, icon
that lightest up all the land with bright and wonderworking rays.
Rejoice, from
whom flow gifts of healing and mercy.
Rejoice,
strength of the sceptre of the Tsars.
Rejoice,
terror of foes.
Rejoice, joy
of the Saints.
Rejoice,
praise of the priests.
Rejoice,
patroness of monks.
Rejoice,
salvation of all our race.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
9
With all
reverence for the copy of the honoured image of the merciful Lady of the
Portal, the host of mortified monks of Iviron finished their prayers and hymns
and washed with holy water the board on which the honoured image was to be
portrayed; and they consecrated the Elder Lamblichus for the work; who in
fasting, prayer and vigil with all the brethren, using only holy water and
blessed relics executed the noble likeness of the Mother of God, praying and
crying to God: Alleluia.
Ikos
9
We see wise
men silent as fish on account of thee, Mother of God; for they cannot tell how
fitly to sing of thy wondrous works, done for our race through thy holy icon;
for on the way to Russia, commanding the noble Manuel to give ransom to the
infidels who were obstructing the progress of the holy icon into the land of
Russia, thou rewardest him twofold thereafter. And we, marvelling, faithfully
sing to thee:
Rejoice,
inexhaustible fountain of marvels.
Rejoice, giver
of all mercies.
Rejoice, ever
fervent intercessor for us with God.
Rejoice,
treasure of his providence.
Rejoice,
refuge of those in distress.
Rejoice,
comfort of the afflicted.
Rejoice,
health of the sick.
Rejoice,
strength of the infirm.
Rejoice,
comforter of widows.
Rejoice,
gentle mother of orphans.
Rejoice, guide
of those who stray from the way of truth.
Rejoice,
leader of sinners to repentance.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
10
Wishing to
save many times from grief and misery, thou pourest forth from thy icon an
unending stream of mercies on our race, Mother of God. Wherefore, blessed Lady
of the Portal, in the royal city of Moscow thou didst show thyself to all who
bow down to thee, giving ready help and pouring forth streams of light from thy
icon in the new Iverskaya shrine; and on other cities, monasteries and all who
honour thee, fulfilling thy kindly promise. Wherefore, glorifying God, who gave
us so much grace, we sing to him: Alleluia.
Ikos
10
Thou art, a
wall of defence to monks, O Mother of God, and to all who take refuge with
thee; for the Creator of Heaven and earth dwelt in thy virgin womb, and taught
all who long for purity and chastity to cry to thee:
Rejoice,
chosen vessel of virginity.
Rejoice,
purest image of chastity.
Rejoice, womb
of seedless conception.
Rejoice, Bride
ever virgin.
Rejoice, who
didst bear the Sower of Purity.
Rejoice, who
dost unite the faithful to the Lord.
Rejoice, swift
help in the storms of temptation.
Rejoice,
destroyer of the enemy's snares.
Rejoice, who
sweepest away the dark passions that destroy the soul.
Rejoice, who
dost purify the mind.
Rejoice, who
teachest us to despise the temptations of the world.
Rejoice,
directing mind and heart to Heaven.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
11
All songs must
fail that try to encompass the magnitude of thy mercies; if we brought thee as
many songs as the sands of the sea, Our Lady, Mother of God, we should do
nothing worthy of what thou hast given to us, who sing to thee: Alleluia.
Ikos
11
We see the
holy icon of the Mother of God shining in darkness like a glorious light; with
its mysterious fire of grace, its miraculous rays, it illuminates all, teaching
us to cry to the Blessed Lady:
Rejoice, swift
help in all our need.
Rejoice, swift
ear to hear in our sorrows.
Rejoice,
delivering us from fire, sword and invasion by the stranger.
Rejoice,
freeing us from famine and an unprovided death.
Rejoice,
warding off from us poison and all deadly things.
Rejoice,
sudden help to those in trouble travelling by land or sea.
Rejoice,
healing of the soul's poison and the body's.
Rejoice,
taking into thy hands those whom the doctors have given up.
Rejoice,
merciful consoler of all sorrowful and burdened.
Rejoice, who
wilt not thrust away the despised and the outcast.
Rejoice,
snatching those in utmost despair from the brink of ruin.
Rejoice, who
withholdest not thy protection and intercession from worthless me, whose good
deeds are so few.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
12
Wishing to
give grace and release from ancient debts to all debtors, the Redeemer of
mankind came with thee to those who had departed from his grace, and tearing up
the writ against them, gave us a mighty intercessor, high in God's grace: so to
her in prayer we cry: Alleluia.
Ikos
12
As we sing thy
wonders shown to us in this life, we praise thee, Mother of God, as the
inexhaustible fountain of mercy: but falling down before thy wonderworking
icon, we humbly pray, be our protection and shield in the day of our death, and
when we come to stand before the dreadful judgement seat of they Son, let us
cry to thee:
Rejoice,
sitting in glory by the throne of the Son; remembering us there.
Rejoice, ever
reigning with thy Son and God, and interceding for us.
Rejoice,
giving confidence to those who hope in thee at their life's end.
Rejoice,
making their end painless and peaceful.
Rejoice,
deliverer from bitter pains.
Rejoice,
deliverer from the power of the Prince of the Air.
Rejoice, who
makest our sins to be forgotten.
Rejoice, God's
hope to us of bliss.
Rejoice,
making a place at the right hand of thy Son for those that hope in thee.
Rejoice,
enabling us to hear his blessed voice that promises us a dwelling in Heaven.
Rejoice,
blessed Mother, who takest to dwell with thee all who honour thee.
Rejoice,
strong hope of eternal salvation to all Christians.
Rejoice,
blessed Lady of the Portal, opening the gate of Paradise to the faithful!
Kontakion
13
O
most holy Lady, Virgin, Mother of God, Mother whose praise all sing look down
upon us humbly with tears bringing our little prayers before thy most pure
image, putting all our trust and hope in thee, and deliver us from all ills and
disasters in this life, and from torments in that to come, that, saved by thee,
we may sing: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
http://www.angelfire.com/adfontem/akathists/akathist_portaitissa.html
