Akathist Hymn to the Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian

Whose Memory the Holy Church Doth Celebrate on the 2nd of October

 

 

Kontakion I

O hieromartyr Cyprian, who didst leave the service of the devil for the worship of the true God, and wast numbered among the saints! Entreat Christ God, that we be delivered from the snares of the evil one, and may vanquish the world, the flesh and the devil, that we may cry unto thee:

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Ikos I

The angelic choirs were amazed at how thou didst turn from the sorcerous arts to divine knowledge, O divinely wise one, and through repentance didst find the angelic life of dispassion. And marveling at thy conversion, we cry out to thee such things as these:

Rejoice, thou who didst astonish the angels with thy conversion;

Rejoice, thou who didst gladden the choir of the saints!

Rejoice, thou who didst manifest wisdom;

Rejoice, thou who didst receive a crown from Christ!

Rejoice, for by thee are the demons driven away;

Rejoice, for by thee are all sicknesses healed!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion II

Seeing how from his earliest years Cyprian’s ungodly parents committed him to the study of demonic worship, the Lord desired to turn him to Himself, that with the angels and all the saints he might chant: Alleluia!

Ikos II

Possessed of a mind as yet unsuited for higher understanding, O Cyprian, thou didst labor diligently, studying the wiles of the devil; but perceiving the weakness of the demons, that they feared Christ, thou didst turn to the knowledge of the true God. Wherefore, we magnify thee:

Rejoice, thou who utterly overcamest the wiles of the demons;

Rejoice, thou who denounced the deception of their worship!

Rejoice, thou who didst put the evil serpent to shame;

Rejoice, thou who hast glorified Christians!

Rejoice, thou who art wiser than the wise of this world;

Rejoice, thou who hadst more understanding than any sage!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion III

The power of the Most High enlightened thy mind, O blessed Cyprian, when, having failed to bewitch Justina, the demons said to thee: “We fear and tremble before the power of the Cross, whereby the virgin Justina driveth us away!” And thou didst say to them: “Ye fear the Cross, but He Who was crucified on the Cross is mightier than the Cross!” Wherefore, thou didst go to the temple of the Lord to chant with all the faithful: Alleluia!

Ikos III

His mind illumined with power from on high, Cyprian approached the priest and requested baptism; but the priest, fearing perfidy, drove him away. Then Cyprian went to the temple of the Lord and, standing at the liturgy, refused to leave the church when the deacon proclaimed: “Catechumens, depart!”, but said: “I will not leave the church until I receive baptism!” And we, rejoicing that thou hadst come to thy senses, chant to thee such things as these:

Rejoice, thou who wast illumined with power from on high;

Rejoice, thou who was brought to thy senses by the Lord!

Rejoice, thou who didst perceive the power of the Cross;

Rejoice, thou who didst drive the demons away from thyself!

Rejoice, thou who didst set thy life aright;

Rejoice, thou who didst direct thy steps to the church!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion IV

A storm of thoughts beset Cyprian as to how to obtain baptism. Wherefore, first of all, taking his sorcerous books, he brought them to the center of the city and there made a bonfire of them, chanting to God: Alleluia!

Ikos IV

When the priest heard that thou didst indeed have the good intention to become a Christian, O most wise one, he baptized thee and made thee a reader in the church. Wherefore, we cry out to thee:

Rejoice, thou who vanquished the spirits of evil;

Rejoice, thou who burned up thy sorcerous books!

Rejoice, thou who desired to become a Christian;

Rejoice, thou who received holy baptism!

Rejoice, thou who wast adorned with struggles and the virtues;

Rejoice, thou who wast ordained to the priesthood!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion V

Having received the divinely-woven robe of holy baptism, O most lauded Cyprian, thou didst pray fervently to God for the forgiveness of the sins thou hadst committed before, chanting unto God with all the Christians: Alleluia!

Ikos V

Seeing thy struggles and labors, thy fasting, thy keeping of vigils for many nights, thy prostrations, penitence, tears and prayers, the priest had thee ordained to the diaconate after examining thee, O hieromartyr Cyprian. And we, giving thanks unto God, praise thee:

Rejoice, thou who didst cry out to God in repentance day and night;

Rejoice, thou who didst pray for the forgiveness of sins!

Rejoice, thou who wast an example of correction;

Rejoice, thou who didst offer the Lord tearful prayers!

Rejoice, thou who didst indicate the way to salvation;

Rejoice, thou who didst show ardent love for Christ!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion VI

Emulating the virgin Justina as a model of Christian piety, O hieromartyr Cyprian, thou didst truly show thyself to be a perfect Christian; for, having been baptized, thou didst abandon ungodly teaching, and in thanksgiving didst chant unto God with thy mouth and a pure heart: Alleluia!

Ikos VI

The light of divine perfection shone forth in thy heart, O divinely wise Cyprian, and thou didst attain the rank of priest, and later bishop. We entreat thee: By thy supplications illumine also the hearts of us who fervently pray to thee:

Rejoice, thou who wast ordained to the rank of bishop;

Rejoice, O eagle upborne on high!

Rejoice, city standing on the height of a mountain;

Rejoice, lamp burning before God!

Rejoice, tireless intercessor before Christ;

Rejoice, teacher given by God!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion VII

Desiring that all be saved, the Lord hath given us this advocate, helper and healer against the spirits of wickedness in high places. For by his teaching and words, the divinely eloquent one brought many to repentance and the correction of their sinful lives, teaching all to chant unto God: Alleluia!

Ikos VII

Thou hast been shown to the world as a new and most wise physician, O hieromartyr Cyprian, for the machinations of sorcery cannot withstand thy prayer, but the spells of evil men and wicked demons are straightway set at nought and dispelled. And we, seeing the power of God given thee, cry out to thee such things as these:

Rejoice, destroyer of sorcerous wiles;

Rejoice, dispeller of fearsome demons!

Rejoice, thou before whom the spirits of evil vanish like smoke;

Rejoice, thou who givest speedy aid to those suffering grievously!

Rejoice, thou who deliverest from misfortunes and sorrows;

Rejoice, thou who turnest sufferings into joy!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion VIII

A strange wonder is manifest upon those who have recourse unto thee with faith, O hieromartyr Cyprian; for by the grace given thee by God the demons which torment man are driven away, and the sick are healed, crying out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos VIII

O all-glorious one who lifted thyself up to God with all thy heart, and loved Him with all thy soul, thou didst have the zeal and desire to do His will; and as a good shepherd thou didst not turn away those weighed down by misfortunes, but intercedest before God in prayer, granting us healing and consolation. Wherefore, praising thy love for the Lord, we cry out to thee thus:

Rejoice, thou who didst love Christ with all thy heart;

Rejoice, thou who didst acquire all the virtues!

Rejoice, aid for those sick and paralyzed;

Rejoice, consolation amid sorrows and griefs!

Rejoice, repeller of the attacks and temptations launched by the world, the flesh and the devil;

Rejoice, healer of all ailments of soul and body!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion IX

The whole army of the angels was glad, seeing thee, O father, to be an invincible warrior of the King of heaven, preaching Christ with boldness when thou wast led with Justina to the place of execution. For, fearful lest she renounce Christ when she see thee beheaded, thou didst say unto her: “Let them behead thee first.” And bowing your heads beneath the sword, ye chanted unto God: Alleluia!

Ikos IX

The most eloquent of orators are unable worthily to hymn your sufferings for Christ, for ye were not afraid of the cruel threats, but stood before the emperor’s tribunal with shining faces, moving all the faithful to say to you such things as these:

Rejoice, unshakable confessors of the Faith of Christ;

Rejoice, bold proclaimers of the all-holy Trinity!

Rejoice, ye who laid down your life for Christ;

Rejoice, ye who considered the cruel torments as nought!

Rejoice, for your sufferings are glorified by the faithful;

Rejoice, for your names are magnified in the churches of God!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion X

Desiring to save the souls of all under the sway of unclean spirits, cease thou never to cry out to the Lord, O divinely eloquent Cyprian; for unto thee hath been given the grace to pray for us, that, finding mercy and purification, we may chant unto God: Alleluia!

Ikos X

Be thou a firm rampart and mighty bulwark for us who flee unto thee with fervent faith and love, O hieromartyr Cyprian; for, protected against enemies, visible and invisible, we who are delivered by thee glorify thee thus:

Rejoice, thou who didst vanquish the spirit of evil by humility;

Rejoice, thou who didst extinguish the fiery arrows of the enemy by the fire of prayer!

Rejoice, rampart and bulwark against enemies, visible and invisible;

Rejoice, all-glorious adornment of the Orthodox Church!

Rejoice, all-wondrous help for those abandoned by their physicians;

Rejoice, loving consolation and gladness of the sorrowful!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion XI

More than others, O hieromartyr Cyprian, didst thou offer unceasing hymnody to the All-Holy Trinity, Who out of mercy for fallen sinners hath been well-pleased to make the unworthy worthy and to number them among the flock of the saints. And, giving thanks to God for His mercy toward us sinners, we say unto Him: Alleluia!

Ikos XI

A radiant lamp in the Church of Christ wast thou, O divinely wise one, illumining the souls of the faithful with immaterial light. We beseech thee: Enlighten also our hearts, which have been darkened by sins, that we may chant unto thee such things as these:

Rejoice, thou who wast illumined by the thrice-radiant Light;

Rejoice, thou who hast been reckoned among the company of the saints!

Rejoice, for thou dost enlighten the souls of the faithful with immaterial light;

Rejoice, for thou guidest the lost to the straight path!

Rejoice, for like a lamb thou wast rescued by the Saviour from the pit of destruction;

Rejoice, thou who puttest the demons to shame and givest joy unto men!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion XII

The grace was given thee by God to trample down the power of the enemy and every assault of Satan; for thou didst vanquish thine enemies, and didst seal thy faith in Christ by thy martyric struggle. And standing now before the throne of the King of glory, O most blessed Cyprian, pray that we may be delivered from diabolical captivity, and may cry out unto God: Alleluia!

Ikos XII

Hymning thy faithfulness to God and thy wondrous and all-glorious miracles, we magnify and praise thee, O hieromartyr Cyprian; for thou hast received such grace from God. Wherefore, we entreat thee: When the hordes of demons surround our souls at the hour of our death, show us thine aid, that, delivered by thee, we may cry out to thee thus:

Rejoice, speedy defense against the assailing foe;

Rejoice, deliverance from all manner of tribulations and griefs!

Rejoice, thou who didst love Christ to the end;

Rejoice, thou who didst lay down thy life for Him!

Rejoice, thou who wast washed in the blood of the Lamb;

Rejoice, thou who hast made thine abode in the courts of the Lord!

Rejoice, O hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and intercessor for our souls!

Kontakion XIII

O all-wondrous and all-glorious favorite of God, hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper of all who have recourse unto thee! Accept from us, the unworthy, our hymnody of praise. Yea, O holy hierarch, we pray thee: Heal us of our multifarious ailments, help us against our enemies, visible and invisible, and entreat the Lord to deliver us from torment, that with thee we may chant: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

This kontakion is recited thrice, whereupon Ikos I and Kontakion I are repeated.

Prayer to the Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian

O holy favorite of God, hieromartyr Cyprian, speedy helper and advocate for all who have recourse unto thee! Accept this laudation from us, the unworthy. Ask that the Lord God grant unto all of us strength amid our infirmities, consolation amid our griefs, and all things profitable in our life. Lift up to the Lord thy mighty supplication, that He protect us from the assaults of sin, that He teach us true repentance, that He deliver us from diabolical captivity and every action of the unclean spirits, and subdue those who oppress us. Be thou for us a mighty champion against all enemies, visible and invisible. Grant us patience amid temptations, and at the hour of our death show us thy help against those who will interrogate us in the aerial toll-houses: that led by thee, we may attain unto the heavenly Jerusalem, and be vouchsafed with all the saints in the kingdom of heaven to glorify and hymn the all-holy name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

 

Source: Book of Akathists, Volume II, translated by Isaac E. Lambertson, compiled and published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY, 2008, pp. 251-260.