Saturday, March 29, 2025

Akathist to Saint Patrick of Armagh, Enlightener of Ireland

Kontakion 1

 

O Treasure of the Orthodox, bearer of the True Faith, O our Father among the Saints, Patrick! Devotion to thee has never brought but joy and gladness to we who live here in sorrow and toil. In praise for thy love of the Font of Love and honor for the place which thou was granted in the glories of Heaven, we cry aloud to thee: 

                                        

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Ikos 1

 

In youth were thou captured and sold as a slave, to prepare thee for becoming a slave to Christ! Thou was made to work for the heathens as a foreshadow of that work thou wouldst do amongst that people! In faith thou bore thy imprisonment, a faith we now praise in song:

 

Rejoice, O bearer of earthly crosses!

Rejoice, Slave to the One True God!

Rejoice, Companion of angels!

Rejoice, O Seer of visions!

Rejoice, Bringer of miracles!

Rejoice, Prayer of holy prayers!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 2

 

Thou found freedom by the vision of an angel, who cried unto thee, “Lo, thy ship is ready!” Thou gave freely to even thy captors, mimicking the Giver of All Good. At night thou was tormented by demons, but by calling on the Lord, He by the sun drove away their tortures. At last thou was reunited with thy family in thy own land, whereupon in praise of God we join with thee in crying out: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 2

 

Thy life was tossed upon the waves of the sea as the boats which carried thee to thy captivity, and yet again to freedom. In all the storm of uncertainty was thou in the hands of the Father who bore thee to the places He would have thee rest.  Guide us by this example to bear with faith the tribulations which rain upon us as we cry out to thee:

 

Rejoice, O joy of the Son!

Rejoice, Compass of the Father!

Rejoice, Speaker of the words of the Holy Spirit!

Rejoice, O provider for the humble!

Rejoice, Lover of the children of God!

Rejoice, Calmness in the height of the storm!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 3

 

Thou was always a student at the feet of God, accepting lessons in all things.  A pillar of obedience, a ready lover of patience, in thou was found a heart eager for the Holy Spirit. Yet again did the angel appear unto thee, telling thee, “The children of the wood of Fochlath call to thee!” In the obedience for which thou wast known, thou readily went, for which we cry: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 3

 

The plans of men are at the mercy of God, and thou accepted this truth with a willing spirit! Forsaking thy own will thou was fond of the plans of God, for which thou art now honored among the saints, pre-eminent among thy children where thou sowed the fruitful seeds of the Gospel. Calling ourselves also thy children we sing unto thee:

 

Rejoice, O patient acceptor of God’s plans!

Rejoice, Willing tool in the Hand of God!

Rejoice, Eager pupil of St. Germanus of Gaul!

Rejoice, O crown of the Holy Priesthood!

Rejoice, Conversant with angels!

Rejoice, Thou who carried the Gospel in thy heart!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 4

 

The work of others had been in vain, for the wild island of the Celts had been ordained for thee by Heaven. Accepting the mantle of St. Palladius before thee, thou boarded again a ship which with swift winds was thy carriage across the sea to the hills which would become thy home. In the favor of God, thou could not fail! In devotion to him, thou gave all thou had! In praise of thee and with thee praising God we cry: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 4

 

Without the help of God mankind amounts to nothing. With the help of God, the gold of Heaven is poured down. In the love of God did thou do all things, O St. Patrick, and emboldened by this virtue we sing again unto thee:

 

Rejoice, O favored by God!

Rejoice, Imitator of Christ!

Rejoice, Lover of the Lord!

Rejoice, O Fruitful sprig of the True Vine!

Rejoice, Bringer of the blessings of God!

Rejoice, Shepherd of the Green Isle!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 5

 

Afeared by the practitioners of the heathen religions was the power of God, manifest in thee. In thou was observed the miracles of God! With the sword of thy tongue thou pronounced the Gospel, with the mercy of thy hands thou enacted it. The treasures of the Irish kings were but rusted iron to the treasures of the Kingdom of Heaven! In all thy work thou never ceased praising the Most Holy Trinity, and with thee in this song we sing: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 5

 

From demons was thou immune, from thee the truth of The Faith spread. Servants of the evil one abounded, but against thee was their work but straw. In the light of God did thou walk, in the waters of His baptism did thou make present His Kingdom! Thus do we hymn thee:

 

Rejoice, O Ransomer of captives!

Rejoice, Follower in the footsteps of angels!

Rejoice, Righter of injustices!

Rejoice, O Harbinger of the faith!

Rejoice, Stranger in a strange land!

Rejoice, Student of the Apostles!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 6

 

To the heart of the pagan religion thou struck a blow as with a hammer, by enkindling the fire of the Christian Passover. The darkness of the land was but a means by God that His light should be more readily seen by all. The fortress of The Church was burnt into the field of Temoria, from the flame dwelling in thy heart was it set alight! Enjoining our own meager embers of faith with the leaping flames of thine own we cry aloud to thee: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 6

 

Summoning all to the Light of Pascha, emboldened by backing of the Kingdom of God, unafraid of the swords of men who could but take the life and not end the soul, O Father Patrick, in praise of thy fearless faith we chant to thee:

 

Rejoice, O Beacon the True Faith!

Rejoice, Blazing coal of the Blessed Trinity!

Rejoice, Warm Expression of God’s Love!

Rejoice, O Fearless Soldier of The Lamb of God!

Rejoice, Hope of the Heathens!

Rejoice, Reproachment of the Pagans!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 7

 

God sheltered thee in all thy life, in the ship, in the field, and in making thou appear as deer. He now shelters thee in the glories of Heaven, in the pure worship of Him who is Above All! Before thee doors opened, opened by the hands of God! Before thee men believed, blessed by the hands of God! In the fertile soil of Ireland did thou toil, and in thy wake God’s grace established a bastion of faith! In response to threats thou said “Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses; but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God.” and thus with thee we cry: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 7

 

How blessed is he who is able to spread the Holy Orthodox Faith! How the favor of God shines upon him! In the revelry of joy in Heaven at the conversion of a sinner do we find thee, Patrick, and in celebration with thee we sing:

 

Rejoice, O Rebuke of false worship!

Rejoice, Source of pure faith!

Rejoice, Helper of sinners!

Rejoice, O Servant of the True King!

Rejoice, Guide of the Convert!

Rejoice, Instructor of the Catechumen!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 8

 

In prayer didst thou find refuge, in prayer didst thou find peace! Prayer is the armor of the Christian, and the weapon of the Orthodox! Bound by thy prayers to the service of the Holy Trinity, thou didst entreat all to do likewise, composing the Lorica which is the defense of all Christians. In prayer will the rain of life wash away to reveal the treasures of Heaven, in prayer will God stir up ashes to burn anew. Knowing this didst thou foster prayer among thy children, and so in prayer we say: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 8

 

In thy words, O Father Patrick, we arise today by the belief of the Threeness, and confession in the Oneness. We arise by the strength of God, and in wonder before all His Creation. In praise of His mighty works we sing:

 

Rejoice, O Speaker of Divine Wisdom!

Rejoice, Scribe of prayer!

Rejoice, Proclamation of Truth!

Rejoice, O Teacher of true spirituality!

Rejoice, Laborer in God’s Kingdom!

Rejoice, Utterer of holy words!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

 

Kontakion 9

 

By thy preaching was an island converted, by thy preaching are we likewise made aware. Our sins build before us a mighty wall, refusing our path. In the trust of thy preaching we beseech God to do now as He has always done, to love now as He has always loved, to accept us now, as He has always accepted. Behold the walls will crumble, our paths will be renewed. In repentance we invoke thee, Saint Patrick, and in praise of God we sing: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 9

 

The Apostle has stated, “Faith without works is dead.” Fearful of this dead faith and fortified by thy example, we seek true imitation of Christ in all our actions. Desirous of thy assistance in this task we sing:

 

Rejoice, O Fountain of Faith!

Rejoice, Clay in the Hands of the Almighty!

Rejoice, Tongue which speaks God’s Message!

Rejoice, O Trumpet call to faithfulness!

Rejoice, Inspiration to good works!

Rejoice, Rebuke of Sloth!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 10

 

The confirmed teachings of God didst thou proclaim, calling all only to worship in Spirit and truth. Devoted to the doctrines of the Holy Catholic Faith thou was unswayed from the true path. Thus was thou given singular graces, and men beheld in thy face the Uncreated Light. Aspiring likewise to holiness and devotion we hymn God with thee: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 10

 

Far from the origins of thy faith didst thou foster ardent belief in the One True God, for what is distance to the Creator of the entire world? In sincerity of doctrine was found thy rock, and in gratitude for this unshakeable virtue we sing thus thy praise:

 

Rejoice, O Enforcer of God’s Commandments!

Rejoice, Unwavering traveler of God’s path!

Rejoice, Teacher of unadulterated doctrine!

Rejoice, O Practitioner of pious action!

Rejoice, Adherent of Christianity!

Rejoice, Lover of true teachings!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 11

 

The impenetrable mysteries of God didst thou endeavor to make apparent for man, thus in sign and symbol didst thou teach, taking as example our Lord Who taught in parable. Thus art thou depicted and recognized by the elevation of the shamrock, by which is explained thy truest love, The Most Holy Trinity. For as the Trinity is the Great Three-in-One so does the shamrock comprise one plant, yet display three distinct forms! In thankfulness for thy deeds we cry aloud: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 11

 

In all Creation is the Creator made present, in the heights of the mountain is revealed His glory, in the depths of the ocean is revealed His mystery! So do we find in the fields of Ireland green vegetation, the universe proclaiming “Behold, my Creator speaks through me! God is One in Three Persons!” Acknowledging this cry we join with our own singing:

 

Rejoice O Instructor of men!

Rejoice, thou who was instructed by Creation!

Rejoice, Symbol of the Irish People!

Rejoice, O Explainer of Mystery!

Rejoice, Meditator on the Unknowable!

Rejoice, thou who praises the Magnificence of God!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 12

 

In thy miracles was the glory of God displayed, in thy action was the symphony of His compassion broadcast throughout all people! Throughout all times is thy name remembered for thy devotion, thy piety, thy work but most as Beloved by God. In thy life we find inspiration to preach our most holy faith, the courage to trust in God free of fear from those who would dissuade us! Exerting ourselves for God, let us begin with this cry: Alleluia!

 

Ikos 12

 

The Lord of Heaven requires nothing from us, He is sovereign of all. Yet does He deign to act through us, for love of us inspires Him. What can we offer to such as He? What can we say in praise of Him? Let us take as example our father, Patrick, and not let fear or ignorance keep us from acting! Behold what God can do with one willing to follow without restraint! Invoking in this act Holy Patrick we sing again:

 

Rejoice, O Pursuit of Piety!

Rejoice, Temptation to Theosis!

Rejoice, Inspiration to devotion!

Rejoice, O Thou who fosters faith!

Rejoice, Example of Christianity!

Rejoice, Faithful Bishop!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 13

 

Thou who were a slave became a slave of Christ, once forced to shepherd heathen’s sheep, thou returned in triumph to shepherd heathens! Bearing in all thou did the actions of Christ, thou art now recognized as the Treasure of the Irish! A prophet of prayer, speaking to us still of the importance of such meditations and calling us further and deeper into the unknown future Christ has for us without knowledge of what may be but ever trusting in Him, we cry once more, never ceasing to love thee, never ceasing to hymn thee, never ceasing to count God above all things: Alleluia! (3x)

 

Ikos 1

 

In youth were thou captured and sold as a slave, to prepare thee for becoming a slave to Christ! Thou was made to work for the heathens as a foreshadow of that work thou wouldst do amongst that people! In faith thou bore thy imprisonment, a faith we now praise in song:

 

Rejoice, O bearer of earthly crosses!

Rejoice, Slave to the One True God!

Rejoice, Companion of angels!

Rejoice, O Seer of visions!

Rejoice, Bringer of miracles!

Rejoice, Prayer of holy prayers!

Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

Kontakion 1

O Treasure of the Orthodox, bearer of the True Faith, O our Father among the Saints, Patrick! Devotion to thee has never brought but joy and gladness to we who live here in sorrow and toil. In praise for thy love of the Font of Love and honor for the place which thou was granted in the glories of Heaven, we cry aloud to thee; Rejoice, O Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!

 

 

 

 

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