Why is the akathist called the Sweetest?
No one knows the author of this song of praise, for the men of God did not seek glory for themselves, but humbly labored to praise Jesus Christ. Historians suggest that its author could be Saint Hesychius, who always emphasized the importance of Orthodox prayer in the life of every person. He believed that words spoken with sincere faith were the way to miracles.
The Akathist was named for the following reason: The Lord is Love. It is He who gives happiness and joy to those who turn to Him. This is where the name comes from.
INTERESTING: The Crucifixion of Christ.
Why and when do they read the akathist to the Sweetest Jesus? What is its strength
The Almighty comes to the aid of every person who turns to him with a sincere request. Priests recommend reading the akathist at a moment of despair and depression, when there is no hope left for a favorable outcome of events.
There are no strict rules for reading time. Ideally, before prayers, turn to the priest so that he gives a blessing for this ritual. You only need to turn to the Lord while standing. It’s good if you read prayers in front of the icon of Jesus Christ and light candles.
In what cases is it recommended to read the akathist:
- When your soul is not at peace, you are tormented by obsessive thoughts and there is no way to resist them.
- To cope with sinful habits that destroy the body and soul (alcohol, drugs or gambling addiction).
- When you want to find yourself and the true path to salvation.
- When making important decisions in life.
- To restore spiritual balance and continue to experience joy and happiness from communication with the Lord and the saints.
- When a person feels that he cannot resist the devil’s machinations and is on the verge of sinning.
When and how to read the canon
The text is read in the evening, on the eve of the communion ceremony. Together with him, the canons to the Mother of God and the Guardian Angel are read. It is recommended to start preparing for communion three days in advance.
Since reading these canons takes a lot of time, they should be distributed over three days. On the day of Communion, before going to church, read “Following to Holy Communion.”
During Lent, on certain days, it is customary to read the Great Penitential Canon, written by Andrei of Crete.
Interpretation of the Akathist
Before reading prayers, it is important to understand all the words that will be spoken by you. For convenience, we have prepared the information in the form of a table:
| Prayer | Interpretation |
| Kontakion 1 | The Orthodox recognizes his natural sinfulness and thanks the Savior for his feat. All who turn to Him for a request will be heard and saved from the evil one. |
| Ikos 1 | Praise of the Son of God, protector of all the oppressed. He will listen and support all people who come to Him with sincere faith and pure thoughts. |
| Kontakion 2 | A request is addressed to the Almighty to save a lost and sinful soul. The believer compares himself to a widow whom Jesus Christ helped by resurrecting her dead son. This episode is described in the Bible. |
| Ikos 2 | The story of Philip, who did not recognize Jesus as Lord, is mentioned. Orthodox Christians ask God to support them in days of trials and tribulation. |
| Kontakion 3 | The prayer recalls the episode with the apostles who received the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is said that the third hypostasis of God is always with the believer. |
| Ikos 3 | The Orthodox compares himself with sinners and tax collectors, for whose sake the Lord descended from heaven to earth, and trusts in the grace of God to receive salvation. |
| Kontakion 4 | The episode of the drowning Peter, who trusted Jesus and boldly walked on the waves of the sea, is mentioned. In the same way, a person must stand firmly on his path and have strong faith. |
| Ikos 4 | An episode is described with a beggar and a blind man whom Jesus met and restored his sight. The believer asks the Savior to enlighten his mind to see the truth. |
| Kontakion 5 | We ask the Lord for protection from the devil’s wiles and from the temptation to sin. |
| Ikos 5 | Mention is made of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem when the people greeted Him. Praise to the Almighty. |
| Kontakion 6 | A hymn about the wounds of the Savior, which helped many believers to be healed. |
| Ikos 6 | The story of the destruction of idols and the recognition of the true Lord. |
| Kontakion 7 | Jesus is compared to a lamb going to the slaughter. People received the opportunity of salvation in the form of eternal life in paradise. |
| Ikos 7 | It tells about the virgin birth of the Messiah. |
| Kontakion 8 | Refusal of earthly sins and choice of God's light. |
| Ikos 8 | A song praising the feat of Jesus and his sacrifice for the salvation of the worldly race. |
| Kontakion 9 | Believers compare themselves to angels who praise the Lord in heaven. |
| Ikos 9 | Mention is made of speakers who failed to explain the miraculous resurrection of Jesus. |
| Kontakion 10 | Exaltation of the Lord by the Heavenly and Earthly King. |
| Ikos 10 | A prayer request for Jesus to cleanse from sins and filth. An incident is mentioned when He healed 10 lepers. |
| Kontakion 11 | Prayer to the Almighty for cleansing from sinful desires and thoughts. |
| Ikos 11 | The story of the Pharisee Paul, who cruelly treated the first Christians, but subsequently accepted faith in one Lord. |
| Kontakion 12 | Contrition and a request for mercy. The episode with Peter, who renounced his faith. |
| Ikos 12 | Hope for salvation after death. People believe that after earthly life they will go to the Kingdom of Heaven. |
| Kontakion 13 | Please protect us from bad and evil, diseases and disasters, from the actions of bad people. |
In what cases is the Canon of Repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ read?
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The canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus is included in any prayer book. This is one of the three canons read by an Orthodox Christian in preparation for the sacrament of Holy Communion. The name of the canon speaks for itself: it must soften the soul of the believer, tune it to a wave of repentance, open it to communication with God and the acceptance of His Holy Body and Blood.
The Canon of Penitence for Jesus Christ is read before Communion also because in the Orthodox tradition the sacrament of Communion is always preceded by another sacrament - Repentance. What kind of sacrament is this and why can’t you start communion without it? Many people confuse repentance and confession, because for a believer these two concepts are inseparable, but still we should not forget that repentance is an internal state of the soul, and confession is a consequence of this state, its external manifestation.
The penitential canon to the Lord Jesus as part of the preparation for Communion
A person who is just starting to go to church is often upset by the need for such a long preparation for the Sacrament of Communion - before starting the cup with the Body and Blood of Christ, you need to fast for an average of three days, attend divine services if possible, and pray more diligently. Direct prayer preparation for the Sacrament begins the night before or in the morning on the day of communion - it is at this time that an Orthodox Christian must read three canons, among which the Canon of Repentance for the Lord Jesus Christ occupies an important place. After them, the Follow-up to Holy Communion is read, the last prayers of which are mentally pronounced by the believer immediately before communion. All of the above is not just a ritual, it is a rule that every Orthodox Christian adheres to. But we must not forget that the Canon of Repentance for Jesus Christ is not only part of the rule, but also an independent prayer that can be read at any time with the appropriate spiritual disposition.
How does the Penitential Canon to the Lord Jesus promote repentance?
The author of the Christian canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus is reliably unknown, but in Orthodox circles one can hear the opinion that it was compiled by Count A. S. Suvorov, inspired by the Great Canon of Repentance of St. Andrew of Crete. It consists of nine songs, each of which expresses many feelings - regret for sins, hope for forgiveness, gratitude for God's great mercy and patience. The Irmos of the canon tell about significant Old Testament events, and also contain dogmatic explanations concerning the Savior and His Most Pure Mother. Thus, reading the Canon of Repentance to Jesus Christ has not only a spiritual, but also an educational function.
Listen to the video of the Canon of Repentance to Jesus Christ
Text of the Canon of Repentance to Our Lord Jesus Christ
Tone 6. Song 1
Irmos: How Israel walked across the abyss on dry land, and, seeing the persecutor Pharaoh drowning, cried out: “Let us sing a victorious song to God!”
Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Now I have come, sinful and burdened, to You, my Master and God; but I don’t dare look at the sky, I just pray, crying out: “Give me, Lord, reason, so that I bitterly mourn my sins!
Oh woe to me, a sinner! I am most unhappy of all people: there is no repentance in me. Give me, Lord, tears so that I may bitterly mourn my sins!”
Slava: Crazy, unhappy man, you are wasting your time in laziness! Think about your life and turn to the Lord God, and weep bitterly for your sins!
And now: Most Pure Mother of God! Look at me, a sinner, and deliver me from the snares of the devil, and guide me on the path of repentance, so that I bitterly mourn my sins!
Song 3
Irmos: You are Holy above all, O Lord my God, Who exalted Your faithful in glory, the Good One, and established us on the rock of Your confession.
Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
When the thrones are set at the Last Judgment, then the affairs of all people will be revealed; woe there will be for the sinner, sent away to torment! And knowing this, my soul, repent of your sins!
The righteous will rejoice, and sinners will mourn: then no one will be able to help us, but our deeds will condemn us. Therefore, before your death, repent of your sins!
Slava: Woe to me, a great sinner! Having been defiled by deeds and thoughts, he did not shed a drop of tears from hardness of heart! Now arise from earthly things, my soul, and repent of your sins!
And now: Behold, O Lady, Your Son calls and teaches us to do good; I, a sinner, always run from good! But You, Merciful One, have mercy on me, so that I may repent of my sins!
Lord have mercy (three times)
Sedalen, voice 6th
I think about the Last Day and mourn my evil deeds. What answer will I give to the Immortal King? Or how dare I, the prodigal, look at the Judge? Merciful Father, Only Begotten Son and Holy Spirit, have mercy on me!
Glory, even now, to the Mother of God:
Bound by the bonds of many sins and oppressed by severe suffering and troubles, I resort to You, my salvation, and cry out: “Help me, Virgin, Mother of God!”
Song 4
Irmos: “Christ is my strength, God and Lord,” the Holy Church reverently sings, proclaiming from pure reason, triumphant in the Lord.
Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
The path here is wide and it is easy to succumb to pleasures, but it will be bitter on the last day, when the soul and body will be separated! Save yourself from this, man, for the sake of the Kingdom of God!
Why do you offend the poor, steal a worker’s wages, don’t love your neighbor, sin with fornication and pride? Leave all this, my soul, and repent for the sake of the Kingdom of God!
Slava: O crazy man! How much longer will you drown and get stuck like a bee, collecting your wealth? After all, it will soon perish like dust and ashes; but you strive more to receive the Kingdom of God.
And now: Madam Mother of God! Have mercy on me, a sinner, and strengthen me in virtue, and preserve me, so that I do not die suddenly, being unprepared, and bring me, Virgin, to the Kingdom of God!
Song 5
Irmos: With Your divine light, O Good One, illuminate the souls of those who call on You in the morning, I pray, in order to know You, the Word of God, the true God, who calls everyone out of the darkness of sin.
Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Remember, unfortunate man, how enslaved you are by your sins to lies, slander, robbery, infirmities, and the evil beast! My sinful soul, is this what you wanted?
The members of my body are trembling, for I have been guilty of all of them: I looked with my eyes, I listened with my ears, I spoke evil with my tongue, I gave myself over to hell! My sinful soul, is this what you wanted?
Glory: You received the fornicator and the repentant thief to Yourself, Savior; but I alone am so burdened with sinful laziness and enslaved by evil deeds! My sinful soul, is this what you wanted?
And now: Wonderful and quick helper to all people, Mother of God! Help me, unworthy, for my sinful soul longed for it!
Song 6
Irmos: Seeing the sea of life, agitated by a storm of troubles and temptations, I have landed at Your quiet pier and cry out to You: “Lift up my life from destruction, O Most Merciful One!”
Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
I lived my earthly life as a prodigal and betrayed my soul into darkness; Now I pray to You, merciful Master: free me from this slavery to the enemy and give me the understanding to do Your will!
Who does something like me? For just as a pig lies in the mud, so I serve sin. But You, Lord, pluck me from this vileness and give me a heart to fulfill Your commandments!
Glory: Rise up to God, unfortunate man, remembering your sins, falling to the Creator, shedding tears and groaning! He, being merciful, will give you the mind to know His will!
And now: Virgin Mary! Save me from visible and invisible evil, O Most Pure One, and accept my prayers and bring them to Your Son, that He may give me the mind to do His will!
Lord, have mercy, three times. Glory, and now:
Kontakion
My soul! Why are you rich in sins? Why do you do the will of the devil? What are you hoping for? Stop doing this and turn to God, crying out: “Merciful Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
Ikos
Think, my soul, about the bitter hour of death and about the Last Judgment of your Creator and God. After all, then the terrible angels will take you, soul, and lead you into the eternal fire. So repent before death, crying out: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
Song 7
Irmos: You made it so that the oven was sprinkled with dew by an Angel to the holy youths, and God’s command, which scorched the Chaldeans, convinced the tormentor to exclaim: “Blessed are You, God of our fathers!”
Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Do not rely, my soul, on corruptible wealth and unrighteous acquisitions; You don’t know to whom you will leave all this, but cry out: “Have mercy on me, O Christ God, unworthy!”
Do not rely, my soul, on bodily health and short-term beauty; After all, you see how the strong and young die, but cry out: “Have mercy on me, Christ God, unworthy!”
Glory: Remember, my soul, about eternal life and the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for the saints, and about outer darkness and the wrath of God for the evil ones, and cry out: “Have mercy on me, O Christ God, unworthy!”
And now: Fall, my soul, to the Mother of God and pray to Her, for She, the speedy Helper of the repentant, will beseech the Son, Christ God, and He will have mercy on me, unworthy.
Song 8
Irmos: You poured out dew from the flame for the saints, and burned the sacrifice of the righteous with water: for You do everything, O Christ, by Your will alone. We exalt you throughout all ages.
Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
How can I not cry when I think about death! For I saw my brother lying in the tomb, inglorious and ugly. What am I waiting for and what am I hoping for? Just give me, Lord, repentance before the end! (Twice)
Glory: I believe that You will come to judge the living and the dead, and everyone will stand according to their rank: old and young, rulers and princes, virgins and priests. But where will I end up? Therefore I cry: “Give me, Lord, before the end, repentance!”
And now: Most Pure Mother of God! Accept my unworthy prayer, and save me from sudden death and grant me repentance before the end!
Song 9
Irmos: It is impossible for people to see God, at whom even the ranks of Angels do not dare to look; but through You, All-Pure One, the Word Incarnate appeared to people. By magnifying Him, we, together with the heavenly armies, praise You.
Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Now I turn to you, Angels, Archangels and all the heavenly Powers standing at the throne of God: pray to your Creator, may He deliver my soul from eternal torment!
Now I cry before you, holy forefathers, kings and prophets, apostles and saints, and all the chosen ones of Christ: help me at the Judgment, may the Lord save my soul from the power of the enemy!
Glory: Now I lift up my hands to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous people and all the saints who pray to the Lord for the whole world, that He may have mercy on me at the hour of my death!
And now: Mother of God, help me, who rely greatly on You, beg Your Son, that He will place me, unworthy, at His right hand when He sits to judge the living and the dead! Amen.
Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ
Master Christ God, who healed my passions with His sufferings and healed my ulcers with His wounds! Grant me, who have sinned much before You, tears of tenderness. Co-dissolve in my body the grace from Your Life-Giving Body, and sweeten my soul with Your Honest Blood after the bitterness that the enemy fed me.
Raise my mind to You, from the vanity of the world, and lift me out of the perilous abyss. For I do not have repentance, I do not have tenderness, I do not have comforting tears that lead my children to their inheritance in heaven.
My mind has become darkened by worldly passions, in my illness I cannot look at You, I cannot warm myself with tears of love for You!
But, Master Lord Jesus Christ, Source of all good things, grant me repentance, a full and hardworking heart to find You, grant me Your grace and return me to Your image.
If I leave You, You will not leave me. Come out to look for me, bring me to Your pasture and introduce me to the sheep of Your chosen flock, grow me, nourishing me with the bread of Your Divine Sacraments, through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints.
