Akathist to the Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus
Kontakion 1
The election of Christ God, who was raised in the flesh from the dead, in assurance of the common resurrection of all, revealed to the world, the admiring youths of Ephesus, glorifying the Lord who was glorified in you, we offer you songs of praise, saying:
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Ikos 1
Creator of angels, knowing from the beginning the undoubted strength of your confession, create you in dire circumstances as heralds of the common resurrection of all, as angelic witnesses of the Gospel promise. Marveling at God’s look upon us, we call in reverence to Sitse:
Rejoice, bright stars of the coming resurrection;
Rejoice, glorify the rays of Christ the risen Savior.
Rejoice, O bright day of the Lord;
Rejoice, faithful children of Christ who have come from the houses of infidels.
Rejoice, in the wonderful light and freedom of the sons of the resurrection of calling;
Rejoice in the Holy Spirit as preachers of the verbs of the life of eternal election.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 2
Seeing you, your parents have a good mind, trying to place you in the rank of military squad of the princess; But you, having despised all the corruptible things of the world, take your hearts to the heavenly Zion, so that as friends of God and servants of the mystery of the general resurrection you will be imputed, singing to Christ: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Having been vouchsafed to receive the mind of Christ with pure souls, wondrous youths, in the midst of a sinful life, we are kept the same age as yours by the grace of Christ, the brethren appeared to each other with love and unity of spirit, and in one swift accomplishment. For this reason, accept this praise from us:
Rejoice, rebirth through a single bath of existence;
Rejoice, united brothers through the love of Christ.
Rejoice, beloved child of the Church of God;
Rejoice, interlocutors of God's angels.
Rejoice, having fed yourselves with the true bread of life more than natural ones;
Rejoice, you have sowed food through the grace of the Holy Spirit from death to prosperous life.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High, strengthening the secret places of grace in suffering, vouchsafes these to be crowned with a crown of good confession before men and angels; teach us to sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having the diligence to come to the house of the Lord to pray all the days, having rejected this custom, the holy persecution of Decius happened; Having realized that the faith of Christ had been attacked, he tried to inform the king about this, but the tormenting rebuke was replaced by the glorification of you by the power of God. Rejoicing in such a providence of God for you, we say to you with tenderness:
Rejoice, having crushed the dark forces of the prince of this world by the grace of Christ;
Rejoice, having victoriously put to shame the malice and deceit of his servants.
Rejoice, you who were not afraid of their intrigues and reproaches, but who were not embarrassed;
Rejoice, having been visibly strengthened by God’s help.
Rejoice, for Daniel of old was preserved in the cave of Lviv in the midst of tormentors;
Rejoice, by the power of the Lady you were removed from among them unharmed.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 4
Moved by a storm of rage, the evil King Decius in the wrath of the saint asks: Why weren’t the gods, who called the whole universe to worship, with us on the holiday? To him Maximilian, one of seven, answers: Imams of the one God and King who is in heaven, to Him we offer at every hour the sacrifice of praise, confession and supplication, singing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Having heard the wicked king how you boldly confess your faith, he commanded that you be deprived of your military honor, and so your trials for the sake of Christ began, and were quickly transformed by Christ into a wonderful dormition. In the same way, now pray for strength in testing from God, singing:
Rejoice, O warrior of the king of the earth, you are numbered with the army of the King of heaven;
Rejoice, having abandoned earthly honor, so that you may receive heavenly glory.
Rejoice, having been deprived of earthly honor for Christ;
Rejoice, for this reason you have been crowned with incorruptible crowns from Him.
Rejoice, the victory of His preacher has appeared;
Rejoice, His eternal glory shines sevenfold.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 5
Warmed by the warmth of Divine love, the grace of Christ from the tormentors of the veil appeared to nature, the holy youths, Maximilian, Iamvlish, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodian and Antonina, in their young years the beauty of the inner man with the beauty of the external, and, like angels, in the flame of your confession praising God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen the evil Tsar Decius's very splendid youth, he grants you weakness from the bonds for a few days, hoping to seduce you into renouncing Christ. But you, having gone home, were merciful in distributing silver and gold to the poor, preparing for your own exodus. For this reason, we sing this praise to you:
Rejoice, you who have moved the tormentor, hardened in evil, to some kind of mercy;
Rejoice, for by your infant meekness you have temporarily extinguished his insidious malice.
Rejoice, you who have captured the evil servants of sin through the beauty of the sons of light;
Rejoice, having victoriously put to shame the Holy Spirit through grace.
Rejoice, having become enriched by the distribution of earthly riches with heavenly treasures;
Rejoice, and let us teach God in return, so that we may find inexhaustible wealth in heaven.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 6
The cave of Mount Ohlon preaches your wondrous glory, holy youths, for the wilds and dens of its natural fragrance were fragrant with your prayer, from where in the firmament of the church, like the stars of heavenly glory, miraculously rising from the darkness of the tombs, appeared to us, the First One of the general resurrection, Christ God, teach us to sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
May the light of truth shine upon the people, but dispel the darkness of error, Christ God deigns to bring you down into the darkness of the grave, so that later in your wondrous uprising the general resurrection will be assured. Bowing before such God's favor for you, we send you these praises:
Rejoice, firmness for the sake of confession has been providentially delivered from torment;
Rejoice, and teach us to be stronger brothers for the truth.
Rejoice, you have passed away your feat painlessly;
Rejoice, having fallen into a wonderful sleep, and by rising from this sleep of death, dispel the darkness of error.
Rejoice, that your bodies have been kept incorruptible by the Lord;
Rejoice, having risen by the will of God before the general resurrection.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 7
Although the godless king, through his need, attracted the saints to idolatry, he still organizes an idol festival and commands to bring you Nan; those who did not find those in the city of Ephesus as his servant, his parents strive to frighten their execution, but from these he is informed, like a saint hiding in a cave, chanting to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
The world showed a new desire for malice, when the parents’ burial place of their children was opened to the princess, and thus the father’s love for them was renounced. For this reason, to the chosen one of God we say:
Rejoice, you who have been rejected by the world and accepted heaven;
Rejoice, for the sake of the heavenly Father, fathers of earthly devotions.
Rejoice, His paternal love was miraculously preserved in a mysterious dream;
Rejoice, having improved incorruption and illuminated the world with the light of resurrection.
Rejoice, you who show us the path to this wondrous light;
Rejoice, the hour of death brings joy to us through the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 8
The strange and glorious miracle of the omnipotence of God appeared upon you, holy youths, having appeared in stone at the command of Decius in the cave enclosed and sealed with a seal, a hundred and eighty years even until the days of King Theodosius, the sleeping nature remained there, but having arisen as if alive, the Sadducee wisdom was put to shame by nature, singing to Christ, who raised you: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
The whole seven-numbered confessor's face, having been imprisoned in a stone tomb, was in no way separated from eternal life, but with the expiration of one hundred and ten years of sleep, the sleep from their eyes was shaken by the will of God, and thus the living holy fathers arose, the whole world assuring everyone about the resurrection and teaching us to sing:
Rejoice, you who confirm the hope of the general resurrection by the promise of God,
Rejoice, for the sake of the corner stone of Christ God, a stone in the barrier of the tomb.
Rejoice, for His sake, sealed in the tomb, sealed with a seal;
Rejoice, the Lamb who took away the sin of the world and has been freed from the bonds of death.
Rejoice, in the assurance of the general resurrection, just as Lazarus was brought forth from the grave for four days;
Rejoice, the number of seven cherubim, the throne of the glory of God who are coming, according to your understanding.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the world-wide resurrection of the dead through the miracles of the preacher!
Kontakion 9
Every angelic nature rejoiced at your wonderful uprising after many years and was horrified: how you, the glorious miracle that happened about you, not knowing, offer the usual kiss to each other and morning singing to the Lord, just like yesterday you went to bed, bring, singing: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The prophetic tongue will not be able to utter Your miracles, O Lord, for we know how the blessed youth Jamblichus, not understanding his many years of dormition and going into the city for food, was surprised when Ephesus, enlightened by the faith of Christ from time immemorial, saw, and glorified the Lord, and said: “Create us.” like this:
Rejoice, laborer in the field of the Lord, who shed abundantly prayerful tears;
Rejoice, you who fell in poverty and persecution, but have risen in glory and wealth.
Rejoice, seeing the triumph of the faith of Christ, in the days of your persecution, after the rise of joy;
Rejoice, you who have seen the victory of Christ over the world.
Rejoice, and teach us to trust in this.
Rejoice, you who protect us from despondency;
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 10
Although God has strengthened people in their faith, this teaches us about the long-term dormition of Jamblichus through the ancient penalty brought to the market, the bishop of this city understood and glorified God with the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
The wall and affirmation of the faith appeared, O holy man, who came to your cave and found the reliquary with the charter, on which your names and the image of your death were written, in which everyone sang:
Rejoice, seven chosen vessels of God;
Rejoice, together with the holy martyrs anointed with the oil of joy;
Rejoice, seven lamps before the throne of the Mediator of God and men;
Rejoice, seven trumpets of the gospel of the second coming of the Son of Man.
Rejoice, seventh angel, who endured the glory of those who brought us glory to the end;
Rejoice, for you who adorn the church of God are the golden lamp of the seventh candlestick.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 11
Lifting up a song of thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity, the pious King Theodosius rushed to Ephesus with diligence, to see the holy youths, and remained there for seven days, until they bowed their heads, commending his spirit to the Lord, together with them sending up a victorious song to Christ God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Lamps, dispelling the darkness of heresy, appeared to nature, holy youths, shining with the light of your incorruptibility and blessed after the resurrection, again affirming the truth of the coming life, having put to shame the Sadducean wisdom, they calmed all the discord of the church, of course, the general resurrection, coupled with ancient Lazarus, is reassuring. Moreover, giving thanks to the Lord for this, we call to you with tenderness:
Rejoice, you who brighten our sorrowful life with good hope;
Rejoice, in the midst of the waves of this life you guide us to the heavenly refuge.
Rejoice, like the stars who guide us in the stillness of blissful peace in the devil of Christ;
Rejoice, eternal bliss prepared for those who mourn, those who bring good news.
Rejoice, for the passions of the present time are unworthy of the assurance of future glory;
Rejoice, good news of the former kingdom of heaven.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, at the miracles of the preacher at the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 12
Grace has been given to you from God, so that you may be guided by His wonderful light as you love and honor everything. In the same way, illumine the sorrowful path of our life with the strong hope of resurrection, protect us from sinful destruction, and at the hour of death appear to us, so that through your intercession of the unevening light of the majesty of God, we too will achieve sins, where from the faces of the righteous we will sing about you to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing the wondrous glorification of the power of God in you, holy youths, we bless you, as our intercessors and prayer books before the Lord, and with love, before your holy icon, we proclaim to you these praises:
Rejoice, in the Russian land of the city of the Staritsa there is praise and affirmation;
Rejoice, all the surrounding villages have been filled with the glory of your gracious help.
Rejoice, refuge and healing for sick babies;
Rejoice, for the sorrows of parents are not a false remedy.
Rejoice, for all who love and honor you are protected and protected;
Rejoice, for help and intercession for the whole Christian world.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wonderful preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Kontakion 13
Oh, wonderful youths, illuminating the sorrowful path of our life with the light of your heavenly glory and the assurance of an endless life! Accept this little prayer of ours and do not reject us, who are flowing to you: pray ever to the Master of all, so that we too will not be deprived of the heavenly palace, but together with the saints we will sing there to Christ our God: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Prayer 1 to the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus
Great God, praiseworthy and incomprehensible, and inscrutable, who created man by Thy hand, took away the dust from the earth, and honored him with Thy image, Jesus Christ, the most desired name, with Thy Beginning Father and with Thy Most Holy, and Good, and Life-giving Spirit, appearing on Thy servant (name), and visit his soul and body, we beg from our glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, the holy Heavenly Powers of the Bodiless, and the honorable and glorious prophet, and the Forerunner and Baptist John, the holy glorious and all-praised apostles, like our holy father , and ecumenical teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom, Athanasius and Cyril, Nicholas of Mirech, Spyridon the Wonderworker, and all the holy leaders, the holy Apostle Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen, the holy glorious great martyrs George the Victorious, Demetrius the Myrrh-Bearer, Theodore Stratilates, and all the holy martyrs, venerable and God-bearing fathers Anthony, Euthymius, Savva the Sanctified, Theodosius of the General Life of the Chief, Onuphrius, Arseny, Athanasius of Athonite, and all the venerables, saints and healers, unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Falaley and Tryphon and others, Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt, Holy Reverend John of Rylsk, Holy Blessed Xenia of Petersburg and all Your saints. And give him the sleep of repose, the sleep of bodily health and salvation and life, and the strength of soul and body, just as You sometimes visited Your saint Abimelech in the temple of Agrippa, and You gave him a dream of consolation, not to see the fall of Jerusalem, and to sleep with this nourishing sleep, and again resurrected in one moment of time, to the glory of Your goodness. But Your holy seven glorious youths, confessors and witnesses of Your appearance were shown, in the days of Decius the king and apostate, and they slept in a den for a hundred and eighty years, like infants warmed in the womb of their mother, and having never suffered corruption, to praise and glory Your love for mankind, and as a testimony and notification of our rebirth and resurrection of all. You yourself, more philanthropic than the Tsar, appear now by influx
Your Holy Spirit, and visit Your servant (name), and grant him health, strength, and blessings, by Your goodness, for from You is every good gift, and every gift is complete. For You are the physician of our souls and bodies, and we send up glory and thanksgiving and worship to You, with Your Originless Father, and with Your Most Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer 2 to the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus
Oh, most wonderful holy seventh generation, praise to the city of Ephesus and the hope of the whole universe! Look from the heights of heavenly glory at us, who honor your memory with love, and especially at the Christian infants, entrusted to your intercession by their parents. Bring down upon her the blessing of Christ God, saying: leave the children to come to Me. Heal those who are sick in them, comfort those who mourn; Keep their hearts pure, fill them with meekness, and in the soil of their hearts plant and strengthen the seed of the confession of God, so that they may grow from strength to strength. And all of us, your holy icon of the upcoming servants of God (name), and those who pray warmly to you, vouchsafe to enhance the Kingdom of Heaven and glorify with silent voices of joy there the magnificent name of the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
History and significance
The Seven Youths of Ephesus are known not only in Christianity. They are revered even by adherents of Islam. According to legend, they were walled up alive in a cave, after which they slept there for several centuries. The seven martyrs were named Maximilian, Jamblichus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodian and Antoninus. They all lived in the 3rd century.
It is believed that Saint Maximilian was the son of the Ephesian mayor, and the other six young men also came from worthy families. They all knew each other since childhood, as they were united by strong friendship. In addition, they performed military service together and were all Christians.
According to legend, one day Emperor Decius arrived in the city of Ephesus. He immediately demanded that people make sacrifices to the pagan gods. A terrible fate awaited the disobedient (torture, and then the death penalty). Seven young men also appeared before the emperor. However, they did not want to betray their faith. Then the bishop ordered them to be stripped of their military distinctions and released. He believed that the young men would come to their senses and change their minds. The seven martyrs left the city and took refuge on Mount Ohlon in a cave. All this time they prayed passionately and prepared themselves for the great feat of martyrdom.
One day, the youngest of his friends, Jamblichus, dressed in beggar's rags and went to the city to buy bread. It was then that he heard that the authorities were looking for all of them to bring them to justice. The young men voluntarily came out of their hiding place. As a death sentence, the emperor ordered the men to be walled up in their own cave so that they would die there of thirst and hunger.
However, it is believed that by the will of the Lord the youths did not die, but fell into a deep sleep, sleeping for two centuries. One fine day, the owner of the land on which Mount Ohlon was located decided to start construction there. Then, on his orders, the entrance to the cave was dismantled. The Lord woke up the youths, and they woke up without even realizing that almost 200 years had passed since the execution.
Interestingly, the legend became famous not only in Orthodox theology, but also in the Muslim religion.
Christians offer prayers in memory of the Seven Youths of Ephesus twice a year: August 4 and October 22 (according to the Julian calendar). It is believed that the young men who were ready to give their lives for their faith, and the prayer dedicated to their feat, symbolize not only the time when all Christians suffered from persecution for their religion, but also the period when Orthodoxy triumphed.
In addition to the fact that prayers dedicated to the seven youths of Ephesus are read in churches on memorial days, this religious text is distinguished by its incredible power. Mothers say this prayer if their babies are not sleeping well. The thing is that children are very weak spiritually and emotionally, so they are often exposed to the spread of negative clots of energy. Because of this, they may not sleep at night and cry. You can get rid of such trouble if you read the prayer to the Seven Youths of Ephesus at the head of your baby’s bed.
It is very important to say this prayer several times, preferably every evening before going to bed.
At the same time, be sure to feel the words with which you address the saints, then the baby will sleep more peacefully.
Video “Prayer to the Seven Youths of Ephesus”
The video voices a prayer that is read when the peaceful sleep of young children is disturbed.
