Akathist to Nicholas the Wonderworker: text
Kontakion 1
Chosen Miracle-worker and a great servant of Christ, exuding myrrh of great mercy to the whole world, and an inexhaustible sea of miracles, I praise you with love, Saint Nicholas: you, as if you had boldness towards the Lord, free me from all troubles, let me call you: Rejoice, Nicholas, great Miracle-worker .
Ikos 1
An angel in the form of an earthly being, show to you the Creator of all creation; Having foreseen the fruitful kindness of your soul, blessed Nicholas, teach everyone to cry out to you: Rejoice, purified from the womb of motherhood; Rejoice, even you who are completely sanctified. Rejoice, you who surprised your parents with your birth; Rejoice, you who revealed the strength of your soul at Christmas. Rejoice, garden of the land of promise; Rejoice, flower of the Divine planting. Rejoice, virtuous vine of Christ's grapes; Rejoice, miraculous tree of Jesus' paradise. Rejoice, the end of the paradisiacal vegetation; Rejoice, myrrh of Christ's fragrance. Rejoice, for you will drive away sobbing; Rejoice, for you bring joy. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 2
Seeing your outpouring of peace, O God-Wise One, we are enlightened in our souls and bodies, the wondrous myrrh-bearer of life, Nicholas, understanding: miracles are like waters pouring out with the grace of God, you faithfully cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Instructing an unintelligible mind about the Holy Trinity, you were in Nicaea with the holy fathers, a champion of the confession of the Orthodox faith: for you confessed equal to the Father, co-essential and co-throne with the Father, but you denounced the madman Aria. For this sake, for the sake of faithfulness, I have learned to sing to you: Rejoice, great pillar of piety; Rejoice, faithful refuge of the city. Rejoice, solid strengthening of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, the honorable One of the Most Holy Trinity was also praised. Rejoice, Thou who preached the Son with equal honor to the Father; Rejoice, you drove away Aria, who was enraged from the Council of Saints. Rejoice, father, glorious beauty of the fathers; Rejoice, wise kindness to all the God-wise. Rejoice, you who utter fiery words; Rejoice, teach your flock well. Rejoice, for through you faith is confirmed; Rejoice, for through you the heresy is being overthrown. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 3
By the power given to you from above, you took away every tear from the face of the fiercely suffering, God-bearing Father Nicholas: for you appeared to the hungry as a nourisher, to those in the abyss of the seas as a great ruler, to those who were sick, healing and every helper appeared to everyone, crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having truly, Father Nicholas, a song will be sung to you from heaven, and not from earth: how can any man from man be able to preach your holy greatness? But we, conquered by your love, cry out to you: Rejoice, image of lambs and shepherds; Rejoice, holy purifier of morals. Rejoice, repository of great virtues; Rejoice, holy and pure dwelling. Rejoice, all-bright and all-loving lamp; Rejoice, golden and immaculate light. Rejoice, worthy interlocutor of Angels; Rejoice, good teacher of men. Rejoice, rule of pious faith; Rejoice, image of spiritual meekness. Rejoice, for through you we are delivered from bodily passions; Rejoice, for through you we are filled with spiritual sweets. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 4
A storm of bewilderment confuses my mind, how worthy it is to sing your miracles, blessed Nicholas; No one can erase me, even if I had many tongues and wanted to speak; but we marvel at God, who is glorified in you, and dare to sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing, God-wise Nicholas, those near and far, the greatness of your miracles, as if through the air with light grace-filled wings you were accustomed to anticipate those in troubles, quickly delivering from them all who cry out to you like this: Rejoice, deliverance from sorrow; Rejoice, bestower of grace. Rejoice, banisher of unforeseen evils; Rejoice, wishing good things to the planter. Rejoice, speedy consoler of those in trouble; Rejoice, terrible punisher of those who offend. Rejoice, abyss of miracles, poured out by God; Rejoice, the law of Christ is the tablet written by God. Rejoice, strong erection of those who fall; Rejoice, rightful affirmation. Rejoice, for through you all flattery is laid bare; Rejoice, for through you all truth comes true. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 5
The God-bearing star appeared, instructing those floating on the sea, whose death was soon approaching sometimes, if only you had not appeared to those calling you for help, Wonderworker Saint Nicholas; You are already unashamed of the flying demons and forbade those who want to load ships, you drove them away, but you taught the faithful to cry out to the God who saves you: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing the young women, prepared for a bad marriage for the sake of poverty, your great mercy for the poor, blessed Father Nicholas, when you gave the bundles of three hidden gold to their elder father at night, saving him and his daughters from the fall of sin. For this reason, hear from everyone: Rejoice, great treasure of mercy; Rejoice, friend of industry for people. Rejoice, food and joy for those who come running to you; Rejoice, uneaten bread of the hungry. Rejoice, wealth given by God to the poor living on earth; Rejoice, speedy exaltation of the poor. Rejoice, quick hearing of the poor; Rejoice, pleasant care for those who mourn. Rejoice, three virgins, immaculate bride; Rejoice, zealous guardian of purity. Rejoice, unreliable hope; Rejoice, joy of the whole world. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 6
The whole world preaches to you, blessed Nicholas, a quick intercessor in troubles, as many times in one hour traveling on earth and sailing on the sea, anticipating, helping, preserving all from the evil ones, crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Thou didst shine as an animal light, bringing deliverance to the commanders, who accepted unrighteous death for those who had, to you, good shepherd Nicholas, who called, when soon after appearing in the princess’s dream, you frightened him, and you commanded to release these unharmed ones. For this reason, we are happy with them and we cry out to you in gratitude: Rejoice, help those who earnestly call upon you; Rejoice, deliverer from unrighteous murder. Rejoice, keep away from flattering slander; Rejoice, destroy the unrighteous councils. Rejoice, tear apart lies like a spider; Rejoice, gloriously exalting the truth. Rejoice, release from bonds of the innocent; Rejoice, and revival of the dead. Rejoice, demonstrater of truth; Rejoice, darker of untruth. Rejoice, for through your disobedience you delivered from the sword; Rejoice, for I have enjoyed the light of you. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 7
Although the blasphemous heretical stench was driven away, the truly fragrant, mysterious myrrh appeared to Nicholas: you saved the people of Myra and you filled the whole world with your blessed peace. And drive away from us the godless, sinful stench, so that we may cry out pleasingly to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
We mean the new Noah, the mentor of the ark of salvation, Holy Father Nicholas, who disperses the storm of all fierce ones with his direction, but brings Divine silence to those crying out like this: Rejoice, a quiet refuge for those overwhelmed; Rejoice, drowning famous repository. Rejoice, good pilot of those floating in the midst of the depths; Rejoice, calmer of the sea. Rejoice, transport of those who are in whirlwinds; Rejoice, warming of those who are in the filth. Rejoice, radiance that disperses the sorrowful darkness; Rejoice, luminary, illuminating all the ends of the earth. Rejoice, you deliver sinful people from the abyss; Rejoice, cast Satan into the abyss of hell. Rejoice, for through you we boldly invoke the abyss of God’s mercy; Rejoice, for by you having been delivered from the flood of wrath, we find peace with God. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 8
A strange miracle is flowing to you, Blessed Nicholas, your sacred church: in it even small prayers bring, healing of great ailments is acceptable, if only according to God we place our hope in you, truly crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You are truly a helper to everyone, God-bearing Nicholas, and you have gathered together all those who come running to you, as a liberator, a nourisher and a quick doctor to all earthly people, raising up the praise of everyone to cry out to you: Rejoice, source of all healings; Rejoice, dear helper to the suffering. Rejoice, dawn, shining in the night of sinful wanderers; Rejoice, dew that does not flow in the heat of the work of beings. Rejoice, give well-being to those who need it; Rejoice, prepare abundance for those who ask. Rejoice, thou who hast preceded the petition many times; Rejoice, renew the strength of old gray hairs. Rejoice, many who have gone astray from the path of the true accuser; Rejoice, faithful servant of the mysteries of God. Rejoice, for through you we trample on envy; Rejoice, for through you we correct a good life. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 9
Alleviate all illnesses, our great intercessor Nicholas, dissolving grace-filled healing, delighting our souls, and cheering the hearts of all who zealously flow to your help, crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
We see the wise branches of the wicked put to shame by you, God-wise Father Nicholas: Aria for the blasphemer, dividing the Divinity, and Sabellia, confusing the Holy Trinity, has changed, but you have strengthened us in Orthodoxy. For this reason, we cry out to you: Rejoice, shield, protect piety; Rejoice, sword, cut off evil. Rejoice, teacher of Divine commandments; Rejoice, destroyer of ungodly teachings. Rejoice, ladder established by God, by which we ascend to heaven; Rejoice, protection created by God, with which many are covered. Rejoice, thou who hast made wise the foolish with thy words; Rejoice, having inspired the morals of the lazy. Rejoice, unquenchable brightness of God’s commandments; Rejoice, bright ray of the Lord’s justifications. Rejoice, for through your teaching the heretical heads are crushed; Rejoice, for through your faithfulness the faithful are worthy of glory. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 10
Although you have truly saved your soul, your flesh and your spirit, Our Father Nicholas, by being silent before and struggling with thoughts and deeds, you have applied the thought of God, and through the thought of God you have acquired a perfect mind, through which you boldly conversed with God and the Angels, always crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall to those who praise, O blessed one, thy miracles and to all who resort to thy intercession; Likewise, free us, the poor in virtue, from poverty, adversity, ailments and various needs, who cry out to you with love like this: Rejoice, take us away from eternal misery; Rejoice, give us imperishable wealth. Rejoice, undying cruelty to those who hunger for truth; Rejoice, inexhaustible drink for those thirsty for life. Rejoice, keep from rebellion and warfare; Rejoice, freest from bonds and captivity. Rejoice, glorious intercessor in troubles; Rejoice, great protector in adversity. Rejoice, thou who has deceived many from destruction; Rejoice, you who preserved countless people unharmed. Rejoice, for through you sinners escape cruel death; Rejoice, for through you those who repent receive eternal life. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 11
You brought the singing of the Most Holy Trinity to the Most Holy Trinity more than others, most blessed Nicholas, in mind, in word and in deed: for by many trials you have clarified the orthodox commandments, by faith, hope and love, instructing us in the Trinity to chant to the One God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
We see you as a luminous ray in the darkness of life, unquenchable, chosen by God, Father Nicholas: with immaterial angelic lights you talk about the uncreated Trinity Light, but you enlighten the faithful souls, crying out to you like this: Rejoice, illumination of the Trisolar Light; Rejoice, day of the never-setting Sun. Rejoice, O luminary, kindled by the Divine flame; Rejoice, for you have extinguished the demonic flame of wickedness. Rejoice, bright preaching of orthodoxy; Rejoice, transparent light of the Gospel. Rejoice, lightning, consuming heresies; Rejoice, thunder, terrifying tempter. Rejoice, true teacher of reason; Rejoice, mysterious exponent of the mind. Rejoice, for through you I have trampled upon the worship of creation; Rejoice, for through you we have learned to worship the Creator in the Trinity. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 12
The grace given to you from God, knowledgeable, rejoicing in your memory, we celebrate according to duty, glorious Father Nicholas, and we wholeheartedly flow to your wonderful intercession; But your glorious deeds, like the sand of the sea and the multitude of the stars, cannot be exhausted, but once you are overcome by bewilderment, we cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your miracles, we praise you, O all-praised Nicholas: for in you God, glorified in the Trinity, is wondrously glorified. But even if we bring you many psalms and songs composed from the heart, O holy miracle-worker, we do nothing equal to the granting of your miracles, and in admiration we cry out to you like this: Rejoice, O King of kings and servant of the Lord of lords; Rejoice, cohabitants of His heavenly servants. Rejoice, help to faithful people; Rejoice, kind of Christian exaltation. Rejoice, victory of the same name; Rejoice, proud crowned one. Rejoice, mirror of all virtues; Rejoice, everyone who flows to you has been taken away by the strong. Rejoice, all our hope is in God and the Mother of God; Rejoice, health to our bodies and salvation to our souls. Rejoice, for through you we are freed from eternal death; Rejoice, for through you we have been granted endless life. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 13
O most holy and wonderful Father Nicholas, consolation of all who mourn, accept our present offering and implore the Lord to deliver us from Gehenna through your God-pleasing intercession, so that we may sing with you: Alleluia. (This kontakion is read three times)
Ikos 1
An angel in the form of an earthly being, show to you the Creator of all creation; Having foreseen the fruitful kindness of your soul, blessed Nicholas, teach everyone to cry out to you: Rejoice, purified from the womb of motherhood; Rejoice, even you who are completely sanctified. Rejoice, you who surprised your parents with your birth; Rejoice, you who revealed the strength of your soul at Christmas. Rejoice, garden of the land of promise; Rejoice, flower of the Divine planting. Rejoice, virtuous vine of Christ's grapes; Rejoice, miraculous tree of Jesus' paradise. Rejoice, the end of the paradisiacal vegetation; Rejoice, myrrh of Christ's fragrance. Rejoice, for you will drive away sobbing; Rejoice, for you bring joy. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Kontakion 1
Chosen Miracle-worker and a great servant of Christ, exuding myrrh of great mercy to the whole world, and an inexhaustible sea of miracles, I praise you with love, Saint Nicholas: you, as if you had boldness towards the Lord, free me from all troubles, let me call you: Rejoice, Nicholas, great Miracle-worker .
Prayer
O all-holy Nicholas, exceedingly saintly servant of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper! Help me, a sinner and a sad person, in this present life, beg the Lord God to grant me forgiveness of all my sins, which I have sinned greatly from my youth, in all my life, in deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me, the accursed one, beg the Lord God, the Creator of all creation, to deliver me from airy ordeals and eternal torment, so that I may always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and your merciful intercession, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Why read the canon?
The canons of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker can be read at home or heard during services in church. The holy fathers of the church say that those who read the Canons of the Mother of God, the Savior and the saints are especially protected by the Lord. The canons of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker are also prayers, by reading which a person turns to the saint through biblical events.
The canons were written many centuries ago by highly spiritual people and, as a rule, later canonized as saints. Reading the songs of praise and prayers written by them, a person offers a prayer to God together with them.
Canon of St. St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is read for healing from illnesses, help in times of need and material lack. The saint is also considered the protector of widows and orphans. They pray to him in times of despondency, sadness and despair. Since the saint himself was imprisoned for some time, people turn to him in captivity and in other difficult life circumstances.
Hymnographic creativity of modern times
In Russia, writing akathists became widespread in the 19th century. Documents have been preserved indicating that by the beginning of 1901, the ecclesiastical department had approved one hundred and fifty-eight works of this genre for publication, and rejected more than three hundred. Nowadays, when after many decades of fighting against God, the Orthodox Church again takes its rightful place in society, there is also a creative upsurge in this area. Every year at least forty new works appear from the pens of church authors. This genre is becoming a favorite among newly converted church members, although many of them are learning for the first time what akathists are.
Speaking about the use of works of this genre in liturgical practice, it should be noted that the Church Charter mentions only one - the Great Akathist, which was discussed above. It is read on the fifth Saturday of Lenten. On this day the Feast of the Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated. It is customary to include other akathists in prayers and other various services. The church also blesses their reading at home during cell prayers.
How to read the canon correctly
The Canon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Russian is not as difficult to read as in Church Slavonic. When reading the canon, you must pronounce each word thoughtfully. Unlike the akathist, the canon of repentance to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker can be read while sitting. You can recite hymns of praise to the saint at any time. There are special initial prayers that are read before the canon. If biblical hymns to the saint follow the daily prayer rule, then additional prayers are not required.
In cases where it is not possible to read the canon out loud, you can say the prayer silently. The main thing is that her words are pronounced consciously, with a feeling of repentance and love for God, the Holy One. It is better to read the canon out loud in a calm and monotonous voice. There is no need to pay attention to the expressiveness of your voice. Church and home prayers are not secular poetic works, therefore they are pronounced somewhat differently. The most important thing when reading sacred chants is the turning of the soul to God, the spiritual world.
Before reading the canon, you can light a candle or lamp near the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. If there is no suitable image of a saint, then you can turn to the image of the Mother of God or the Savior.
