Akathist to The Holy Archangel Gabriel
O firey-eyed Archangel Gabriel, Herald of the most
joyful tidings, we fall down and beseech you: Instruct us and enlighten us to
glorify and praise you thus:
Rejoice, intercessor before the tri-radiant throne of God.
Rejoice, bright beacon of the rays of divinity.
Rejoice, banner of the Christian assembly, with which we
sing.
Rejoice, for those on earth are praising and exulting
with you.
Rejoice, O Commander Gabriel, for you rejoice with those
in heaven.
Rejoice, as you aid us in all pious living of this
temporal life.
Rejoice, for you direct our steps on the path of
salvation.
Rejoice, O Captain of the Host of the Lord, bearing a
blazing scepter.
Rejoice, doer of the Master’s will.
Rejoice, one of the three visitors of our forefather
Abraham.
Rejoice, foreteller of the birth of Abraham’s son Isaac
from his old and feeble wife, Sarah.
Rejoice, for you behold the heavens brilliantly adorned
with divine luminaries.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 2
Perceiving with the eyes of faith the power and brightness
of your lightening-bearing appearance, O Archangel of God Gabriel, we, the
earthly ones, are filled with love and thanksgiving to the Most-Holy Trinity
and cry out with all the holy angels: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Grant us the discernment to know God’s will, O
Most-Wondrous Gabriel, so that we may walk in the Lord’s commandments and endlessly
sing to you:
Rejoice, for you instructed the Prophet Moses to write
the divine scriptures after he fled from Pharaoh to the desert.
Rejoice, for you revealed to him the story of creation
of the world and of the life of Adam and his descendants.
Rejoice, for you narrated to him the story of the
ancient generations, the flood, and the division of languages.
Rejoice, for you taught him to understand the position
of planets, the universe, and the ways of God’s wisdom.
Rejoice, for you interpreted the knowledge about kings
and kingdoms to the Prophet Daniel, fulfilling his spirit with the revelation
of unknown things.
Rejoice, for you pointed him to the time of Christ’s
first coming to the world through being incarnate of the Pure Virgin.
Rejoice, for throughout the world our souls have
recourse to your deliverance and intercession.
Rejoice, vigilant guard of God’s Church and destroyer of
church discord.
Rejoice, for you silence the fierce storms the
barbarians raise against your servants.
Rejoice, for you rescue from misfortunes and evils.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 3
You are mighty with divine strength, O God’s Chief
Commander Gabriel, do not forsake us who pray to you with faith in your powerful
help against sin and temptation, as we cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having you for our steadfast helper and defender against
the adverse powers, we beseech you to be our protector in all journeys of our
life so that we may cry out to you in gratitude:
Rejoice, for you appeared to Righteous Anna in an
orchard when she was tearfully lamenting to God about her barrenness, and you
announced to her: “Anna, your prayer has been heard, the multitude of your sighs
is passed, and your tears reached God. Be glad, for I bring you glorious tidings
that you will conceive and give birth to the most-blessed daughter, through which
all generations of the earth will be blessed and through which salvation shall
be given to the world, and her name shall be Mary.”
Rejoice, for the Holy and Righteous Joachim, who was
fasting in the desert, also received your foretelling of his daughter, who was forechosen
to be the Mother of the Messiah desiring to come to save mankind.
Rejoice, for God appointed you guardian of the godly
Maiden’s virginity.
Rejoice, for you brought her food after she entered the
Lord’s temple.
Rejoice, for you stand before the throne of divine glory
with all the hosts of heaven.
Rejoice, one of the seven commanders of the heavenly
army.
Rejoice, O Greatly-Glorious Gabriel, along with the other
commanders, Michael, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel, for
you all ceaselessly glorify the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 4
From the tempest of temptations and dangers deliver us,
O our merciful intercessor. Do not leave us without help in the days of our
earthly trials as we cry unto our Creator and God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Seeing your boldness before God's throne, all dark
spirits tremble and dare not commit villainy against those who honor you with
these words, O radiant Gabriel:
Rejoice, tamer of endless temptations.
Rejoice, for you lead the souls that honor you with love
into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, for you appeared to Zachariah as he stood at
the right hand of the altar of incense.
Rejoice, for you announced the end of his wife Elizabeth’s
barrenness.
Rejoice, for you silenced his tongue because he did not
believe in the birth of John the Forerunner.
Rejoice, for Zachariah became mute as he beheld you during
censing.
Rejoice, for you rebuked him for not trusting your
awe-striking announcement, O Commander Gabriel/
Rejoice, for you joyfully foretold John’s birth within
the walls of God’s Temple.
Rejoice, for you held back the hand of St. Simeon the
God-Receiver when he was transcribing the holy books and wanted to correct the
word for the one conceiving in her womb from “virgin” to “woman”.
Rejoice, for you enlightened the doubting Elder about
the truthfulness of the written words.
Rejoice, for you proclaimed to him that he would not see
death until he meets the Lord’s Christ.
Rejoice, for you reveal to us the pre-eternal truly divine
mystery.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 5
O all-blessed and most holy guiding stars, Archangel
Gabriel with all other Holy Guardian Angels and all Bodiless Hosts, who ceaselessly
stand and praise the Most Holy Trinity and are illumined by Its everlasting splendor,
we flee to you with faith and hope. Intercede for us before the throne of the
Lord Almighty, together with your commander Gabriel, who sings to the eternal
King of glory: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Beholding you among the nine ranks of angels ablaze as a
bright luminary, O Commander Gabriel, we beseech you: enlighten us with the beams
of your glory as we sing to you:
Rejoice, for in a dream you assured the Elder Joseph
that the Maiden conceived through the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, for you announced sacred tidings of the Savior’s
birth to the shepherds who kept their watch by night.
Rejoice, for you sang with the multitude of heavenly
armies: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men.
Rejoice, companion in the holy flight to Egypt to escape
the murder by Herod.
Rejoice, protector of the Holy One on His way to
Nazareth.
Rejoice, fellow traveler of the Holy Family to the
Jerusalem Temple for the feast of Passover.
Rejoice, for with fear and trembling you served the
twelve-year-old Jesus.
Rejoice, for with the powers of heaven you appeared at
the Lord’s baptism.
Rejoice, for with the armies of heaven you attended to
the Lord in the desert when He was tempted by the enemy.
Rejoice, for you were sent into the Garden of Gethsemane
to Christ the Savior before His voluntary passion.
Rejoice, for you strengthened Christ as He was praying in the garden, for your name, Gabriel, means “God is my strength” and you strengthen those who are in the midst of struggles.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 6
The whole Christian world preaches of your glory, O all
holy Archangels, Angels, and all the heavenly powers, and of your service as
intercessors before the throne of the Holy Trinity, as they ceaselessly sing,
call, and proclaim, “Holy, Holy, Holy!” And we sinners on earth sing with our mortal
lips: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You illuminated the whole earth with your heavenly
radiance when you, O All-Joyful Archangel Gabriel, flew down from heaven into
blessed Nazareth and stood before the Virgin with this archangelic greeting, “Rejoice,
O Blessed One, the Lord is with you!” And gladdened by this divine message, we joyfully
exclaim to you:
Rejoice, for you call with the multitude of angels, “Holy
is the Father Almighty, the Unoriginate Son, and the Ever-Existing Holy Spirit.”
Rejoice, for enlightened by participation in that most immaterial
Light, you are seen to be a second light.
Rejoice, for your countenance is fiery and wondrously
glorious, awe-striking to every mind.
Rejoice in splendor, O Gabriel, chief among God’s bodiless
angels.
Rejoice, adornment of all who faithfully praise you.
Rejoice, giver of quiet joy to the hearts of all that
love their Lord and Creator.
Rejoice, O Brightly Beaming, Celestial Intelligence,
whom our earthly tongues are unable to honor.
Rejoice, for with faith you enlighten those who revere
you.
Rejoice, kind and steady guide in our earthly sojourn.
Rejoice, sure protector of all who sing and pray to the
Queen of Heaven.
Rejoice, for you are aflame with ineffable divine radiance
beyond comprehension.
Rejoice, and by your light-bearing prayers to the Master,
snatch from the darkness of passions them that sing your praise.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 7
Seeking to preserve everyone from the enemy’s attacks,
the Merciful Lord sent holy angels to serve mankind. And you, O Chief of the Angels,
Godly Gabriel, are the first among our ministers, wherefore with gratefulness we
cry to the Lord Almighty: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
As a good intercessor, you desire the salvation of all, and you grieve and lament over those who do not fulfill the commandments of God and thereby deprive themselves of eternal joy with all the saints in the Kingdom of Heaven. Help us on our life's path, O Mighty Defender, and save all those crying to you:
Rejoice, the Lord’s companion and His co-sufferer in all
the paths of His sufferings.
Rejoice, for with fear and trembling you gazed at Your
crucified Lord Jesus.
Rejoice, for you appeared to the holy myrrh-bearers,
sitting on the gravestone and announcing Christ’s rising from the grave.
Rejoice, first messenger of the great joy to the Holy
Virgin Mary.
Rejoice, O you who cried to her, “Rejoice O Pure Virgin,
for your Son has risen from His three days in the tomb.”
Rejoice, for, being a herald of the conception of the Son
of God,
Rejoice, you also became the herald of His Resurrection.
Rejoice, O blessed and radiant one.
Rejoice, most joyful of all the angels of God.
Rejoice, bringer of the joy of all joys to the world.
Rejoice, for with ineffable gladness holy people extol
you with holy words.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 8
A strange and awesome miracle is taking place today through
the voice of the Archangel. God has come to earth and became incarnate of the
Virgin for the salvation of all, and to Him we cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Your whole appearance is splendid and flaming and your
singing is awe-striking, O Holy Archangel Gabriel. As a close servant of the
Holy Trinity and keeper of the mystery of the pre-eternal Council, you became a
guardian to the Holy Virgin, serving her when the Holy Spirit came upon her and
you were the first to worship God the Savior, visible to you in her womb. Wherefore
we offer you these praises:
Rejoice, for the glorious splendor of your temple enkindles
the souls of the faithful.
Rejoice, for you ignite fervent prayer to the Lord in the
hearts of all who seek to pray in God’s temple.
Rejoice, for you are illuminated as an angelic partaker
of the First Light.
Rejoice, for you are truly seen as the second light.
Rejoice, for you always enlighten those who sing to you.
Rejoice, for you destroyed wicked councils.
Rejoice, for you affirmed the Orthodox faith.
Rejoice, for you pacified contentions in the Church.
Rejoice, for you stopped the ragings of Hagar’s
descendants against your flock and saved all your faithful people.
Rejoice, O Radiant Gabriel, for the Word, Whose coming in
flesh you announced, had you hastening before to guard His sacred palace.
Rejoice, you proclaimed the great joy to us, O Archangel.
Rejoice, for you offered the Virgin the kind of praise
that was incomprehensible to the mind.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 9
All monks and Orthodox Christians that are deemed worthy
to bear your glorious name, rejoice with awe in having such a namesake and
intercessor before the throne of the Almighty as you, O Archangel of God, and
you ceaselessly sing to Him the thrice-holy hymn: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The orator's tongue is unable to describe your heavenly splendor,
O Holy Archangel Gabriel, for you exceed all other ranks in your honor and glory
and you stand before the Throne of God, imploring His goodness and mercy for
all who honor and call on you:
Rejoice, commander of the fiery servants.
Rejoice, servant of grace, who stands before the fearsome
throne.
Rejoice, chief of the angels, guide and intercessor for men.
Rejoice, for you bless those who praise you with faith.
Rejoice, for you are brimming with divine oracles.
Rejoice, for you uplift my mind with your prayers.
Rejoice, proclaimer of the inexpressible joy that came into
the world.
Rejoice, for those who love and praise you are rescued
from afflictions and the serpent’s harm.
Rejoice, for you are revealed as the second immaterial,
illuminating light.
Rejoice, for you always enlighten those who are material—those
of the human race, who praise you.
Rejoice, for we honor you for all eternity.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the human race, the Pre-Eternal Council
of the Holy Trinity chose you, O Archangel Gabriel, to deliver this hidden
mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, and you, as a faithful minister
of God’s providence, ever sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You are a fortress to all that flee to your intercession
and help, O Captain of God’s armies and our protector from the visible and invisible
enemies that seek to destroy us at every step and to lead us to eternal perdition.
All whom you guard with the wings of your immaterial glory and with your supplications
before the Lord with gratitude cry out to you:
Rejoice, for you were worthy of bringing the greatest news.
Rejoice, O blazing heavenly messenger who bestows quiet
joy into the hearts of all who love their Lord and Creator.
Rejoice, for you shine with light that astonishes every
mind.
Rejoice, adornment of all who sing to you.
Rejoice, O greatest of the angels, who revealed to us the
profound mystery.
Rejoice, for after the Lord’s ascension, you promised
His disciples His second coming into the world. Rejoice, for they honored you as
He was taken up to the Divine Heights.
Rejoice, for you deliver us from the storm of misfortunes
and sorrows.
Rejoice, for the sacred mystery of the ineffable birth
by the Holy Virgin was entrusted to you first, O Gabriel.
Rejoice, for the faithful revere you with joy.
Rejoice, for the Holy Church commemorates your numerous
appearances in the Old and New Testaments and your unceasing intercession before
God.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 11
Ceaselessly, you raise holy songs to the Most Holy
Trinity, O Holy Archangel Gabriel, with all the heavenly intelligences, and we glorify
you for the multitude of your mercies to the Christian race with a song of
praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Illuminated by the Light of the Holy Trinity, as an
unsetting sun you shine in the glory of the unapproachable light. Illuminate us
with the rays of your divine glory, so that we may sing to you:
Rejoice, for you are arrayed in a divine garment that glows
with sublime glory brighter than the sun.
Rejoice, for we joyfully praise your fiery nature with our
temporal lips.
Rejoice, O Holy Gabriel, who by your intercession snatch
us from the fire that burns perpetually.
Rejoice, O jubilant Commander of the Heavenly King’s
ministers.
Rejoice, for on the Mount of Olives you appeared to the
Most Pure Theotokos as she was praying fervently, to announce to her that soon
she would be honorably transported from earth to heaven.
Rejoice, for you gave the Mother of God a heavenly,
radiant palm branch, and it was carried by the Apostle John at the front of her
bier.
Rejoice, for at her honorable Dormition, as she was
carried by the holy Apostles to burial in Gethsemane, you punished the Jew Jephonias
for his brazen act by severing his hands.
Rejoice, you who, with all the heavenly powers, surrounded
the holy Apostles when the Mother of God appeared to them after her Dormition.
Rejoice, for you freed the Apostle Peter from prison
chains and iron fetters.
Rejoice, for you brought the Apostle Peter out of the
dungeon and, after passing one street, you departed from him.
Rejoice, speedy aid and intercessor for all faithful
Christians.
Rejoice, deliverer from troubles for all who with love honor
you.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 12
Since you received abundant grace from the Lord, beseech
Him to grant us grace also, accept our prayers as our offering, and drive away
from our souls all sinful thoughts and all slander of the enemy, so that with a
pure heart we may be worthy to sing a song of praise to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing of your heavenly service to the Holy Trinity, O holy protector and fervent intercessor with God, all your faithful servants praise you. Do not forsake us here in our earthly sojourn and be our mighty advocate on the Day of the Dread Judgment of God, as we sing to you:
Rejoice, for by your prayers, those who honor you shall
receive the forgiveness of their sins.
Rejoice, for the people of God are inspired to fervor when
they flee to your intercession and help.
Rejoice, invisible guardian of the sick and the
helpless. Rejoice, good comforter of orphans and the oppressed.
Rejoice, O light-bearing Gabriel, with your fervent petitions,
plead for a blessed Christian ending to our lives and be our ardent heavenly supplicant.
Rejoice, and at the hour of our departure, appear to us
bright and joyful, delivering our souls from evil demons and protecting us.
Rejoice, and reignite the fading flame of our good deeds
through your all-powerful entreaties before the Lord.
Rejoice, and beseech the Righteous Judge to have mercy on
our souls and to save us on the day of the Last Judgment.
Rejoice, O mighty mediator for our attainment of the Kingdom
of Heaven in the endless blissful joy of eternal repose.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great
joy from heaven.
Kontakion 13
O light-bearing, all-joyful Archangel Gabriel, accept
from us this grateful praise and do not forsake us who flee to your mercy. Be
our helper and powerful intercessor throughout our life and, at our death, save
from the eternal torment those who ceaselessly sing: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read thrice, then Ikos 1 and
Kontakion 1)
Prayer to Archangel Gabriel
O Holy Archangel of God Gabriel! Constant intercessor before the throne of the Most High, joyful herald of the good news and tireless ambassador for our souls! Graciously accept from us, unworthy sinners, this small praise and thanksgiving. Lift our prayers up and offer them as incense at the heavenly altar. Illuminate our minds with the light of the Orthodox faith, kindle our hearts with love for Christ our Savior, direct and strengthen our desires on the saving path of the Gospel commandments. May we give glory to God by living in peace and piety, to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, and to be found worthy of the grace of Christ our God, through the intercessions of His Most Pure Mother and through your powerful prayers. Together with you, all the bodiless heavenly powers, and with all the saints, grant us to glorify the One God in the Trinity: the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
May God bless you. Archangel Gabriel appeared to me promising to heal me. I was extremely happy to see this Akathist today. God bless you!
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