Akathist to The Divine Passion of Christ
Kontakion 1
Supreme Ruler and Lord of Heaven and earth, seeing You, the Immortal King, hanging on the Cross, all creation was changed, Heaven was horrified, and the foundations of the earth were shaken. But we, unworthy as we are, offer You thankful adoration for Your Passion in our behalf, and with the robber we cry to You:
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Oikos 1
In completing the choirs of angels, You did not take on the angelic nature, but being the Eternal God, for my sake You became man, and You restored to life men who were dead through sin with Your Life-giving Body and Blood. Therefore, in gratitude for Your amazing love, we humbly cry to You:
Jesus, God, Eternal Love, Who was pleased to save us who are born of earth!
Jesus, Infinite Mercy, Who came down here to us fallen creatures!
Jesus, Who was clothed in our flesh and destroyed the dominion of death by Your death!
Jesus, Who defies us with Your Divine Mysteries!
Jesus, Who have redeemed the whole world by Your Cross and Passion!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 2
Seeing You in the Garden of Gethsemane struggling in prayer till You sweat blood, an angel appeared and strengthened You when our sins weighed upon You like a heavy burden. For, having taken lost Adam on Your shoulders, You brought him to the Father by bending Your knees and praying. For this I sing to You with faith and love: Alleluia!
Oikos 2
The Jews did not know the incredible truth of Your voluntary Passion. Therefore, when You said to those who were seeking You at night with lanterns: I AM HE, even though they fell to the ground, yet afterwards they bound You and led You to the judgment hall. But we fall down before You on the Way of the Cross and cry with love:
Jesus, Light of the world, hated by evil and worldly people!
Jesus, Who dwell in unapproachable Light, seized by the realms of darkness!
Jesus, Immortal Son of God, condemned to death by a son of perdition!
Jesus, in Whom there is nothing false, falsely kissed by the traitor!
Jesus, Who give Yourself freely to all, sold for a sum of silver!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 3
By the power of Your divinity You foretold to Your disciple his threefold denial. But even though after this he denied You with an oath, yet when he saw You, His Lord and Master, in the high priest's court his heart was touched, and he went out and wept bitterly. Look, then, also upon me, O Lord, and strike my hard heart, that with my tears I may wash away my sins and sing to You: Alleluia!
Oikos 3
Having true power as High Priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek, You stood before the criminal high priest Caiaphas. O Lord and Master of all, Who accepted torture from Your slaves, accept from us these prayers and praises:
Jesus, Priceless One Who was bought for a price, adopt me into Your eternal inheritance!
Jesus, desire of all nations, denied from fear by Peter, reject me not a sinner!
Jesus, Innocent Lamb, torn by cruel scourges, rescue me from my enemies!
Jesus, High Priest, Who have entered the Holy of Holies with Your Blood, cleanse me from fleshly impurity!
Jesus bound, Who have power to bind and to loose, absolve my grievous sins!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 4
Breathing a storm of murderous thoughts, the Jews having listened to the voice of the father of lies and manslayer from time immemorial, the devil, rejected You, the right Way, the Truth, and the Life. But we confess You to be Christ, the power of God, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and we cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 4
Having heard Your meek and gentle words, Pilate delivered You up to be crucified as deserving death, even though he himself bore witness that he had found not a single fault in You. Then he washed his hands, but defiled his heart. And wondering at the mystery of Your voluntary Passion, with compunction we cry to You:
Jesus, Son of God and Son of the Virgin, tortured by the sons of iniquity!
Jesus, mocked and stripped, Who give flowers their beauty and deck the sky with clouds!
Jesus, covered with wounds, Who satisfied the hunger of five thousand with five loaves of bread!
Jesus, King of all, who instead of a tribute of love and gratitude received cruel tortures!
Jesus, Who are wounded all the day long for our sake, heal the wounds of our souls!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 5
You were arrayed in Your divine blood, O You Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment. I know, indeed I know with the Prophet, why Your garments are purple. I, Lord, it is I who wounded You with my sins. So to You Who were wounded for my sake I thankfully cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 5
Foreseeing You in spirit covered with shame and wounds, the divinely inspired Isaiah cried in horror: We have seen Him, and He had no form or beauty. And we, seeing You on the Cross, with faith and amazement cry:
Jesus, enduring dishonor, Who crowned mankind with glory and honor!
Jesus, on Whom angels cannot gaze, slapped in the face!
Jesus, Who was struck on the head with a reed, bow my head in humility!
Jesus, Whose bright eyes were darkened with blood, turn away my eyes from beholding vanity!
Jesus, Who from head to feet had not part whole, make me perfectly whole and healthy!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 6
Pilate proved a preacher of Your innocence, when he told the people that he found nothing in You deserving death. But the people, like wild beasts that have seen blood, gnashed their teeth at You and cried: Crucify, crucify Him! We, however, kiss Your most pure wounds and cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 6
You were a spectacle and marvel to men and angels, and to Pilate who said of You: Behold the Man! Come, then, let us worship Jesus Who suffered abuse for our sake, as we cry:
Jesus, Creator and Judge of all, judged and tortured by Your creatures!
Jesus, Giver of Wisdom, Who gave no answer to foolish questions!
Jesus, Healer of those wounded by sin, grant me the healing of repentance!
Jesus, Shepherd Who was struck, strike the demons that cause me temptation!
Jesus, crushed in body, crush my heart with Your fear!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 7
Wishing to deliver mankind from slavery to the enemy, You humbled Yourself before Your enemies, O Jesus, and like a lamb that is dumb You were led to the slaughter, and endured wounds all over, that having healed the whole man, he might cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 7
Wonderful patience didst Thou show when, after the sentence of the unjust judge, the soldiers reviled Thee and inflicted cruel wounds on Thy Most-pure Body, so that it was purple with blood from head to foot. Therefore with tears we cry to Thee:
Jesus, Lover of mankind, crowned with thorns by mankind!
Jesus, impassible in Your Divinity, enduring Your Passion to free us from our passions!
Jesus, my Savior, save me who deserve all sufferings!
Jesus, forsaken by all, my Strength, strengthen me!
Jesus, my Joy, from all insults gladden me!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 8
It was both strange and wonderful when Moses and Elijah appeared to You on Tabor and spoke of Your death which You were about to accomplish in Jerusalem, that having beheld Your glory there and seen our salvation here, they might cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 8
Everywhere persecuted by the people on account of the great multitude of my sins, You endured my shame and torment. For some say that You are opposed to Caesar, others accuse You of being a criminal while some cry: Take Him, take Him, and crucify Him. So to You, our Lord, condemned by all and led to crucifixion, from the depth of our souls we say:
Jesus, unjustly condemned, our Judge, condemn us not according to our deeds!
Jesus, Who was exhausted on the way under Your Cross, my Power, forsake me not in the hour of my sorrow and suffering!
Jesus, Who cried for help to the Father, my Exemplar, strengthen me in my weakness!
Jesus, Who accepted dishonor, my Glory, deprive me not of Your glory!
Jesus, radiant image of the Father's Being, transfigure my dark and impure life!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 9
All nature was confounded at the sight of You hanging on the Cross: in the heavens the sun hid its rays, the earth quaked, the veil of the Temple was torn, the rocks split, and hell gave up her dead. But we worship on the place where Your most pure feet stood, crying: Alleluia!
Oikos 9
Eloquent orators, even if they speak much, cannot render sufficient gratitude for Your Divine Passion, O Lover of mankind. But our souls and bodies, our hearts and all our members with compunction cry to You:
Jesus, Who was nailed to the Cross, nail down and annul the handwriting of our sins!
Jesus, Who stretch out Your hands from the Cross to all, draw me to Yourself, for I too have gone astray!
Jesus, Door of the sheep, pierced in Your side, lead me through Your wounds into Your bridal chamber!
Jesus, crucified in the flesh, crucify my flesh with its passions and desires!
Jesus, Who ended Your life in agony, grant that my heart may know nothing but You crucified!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the world, You healed the blind, the lame, the lepers, the deaf and the dumb, and drove out evil spirits. But the foolish, breathing envy and malice, nailed You to the Cross, not knowing how to sing: Alleluia!
Oikos 10
Jesus Eternal King, You suffered in every limb for my intemperance and incontinence, that You might make the whole of me pure, giving us a pattern in everything that we might follow in Your steps and cry:
Jesus, unfathomable Love, Who did not charge with sin those who crucified You!
Jesus, Who prayed earnestly with crying and tears in the garden, teach us also to pray!
Jesus, Who fulfilled all prophecy in Yourself, fulfill our heart's desire for goodness!
Jesus, Who surrendered Your spirit into Your Father's hands, in the hour of my death receive my spirit!
Jesus, Who did not prevent the division of Your garments, separate my soul from my body gently!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 11
Your most pure Mother offered the most tender songs to You, saying: Even though You suffer on the Cross, yet I know You from the womb to be begotten of the Father before the morning star, for I see that all creation is suffering with You. You surrender Your spirit to the Father. Receive also my spirit and forsake me not as I cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 11
Like a light-receiving lamp the immaculate Virgin stood at Your Cross burning with love and torn with a mother's sorrow for You, the true Sun of Righteousness that was setting in the grave, and with Her, accept these prayers of our heart:
Jesus, Who was lifted up on the Tree that with Yourself You might lift us fallen creatures to Your Father!
Jesus, Who gave the Ever-Virgin as a mother to the virgin Apostle that You might teach us purity and virginity!
Jesus, Who entrusted Your Mother to Your disciple, the Theologian,
commit us all to Her maternal protection!
Jesus, Conqueror of the world and hell, conquer the unbelief, the pride of life,
and the lust of the eyes that lurks within us!
Jesus, Destroyer of the power of death, deliver me from eternal death!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 12
Grant me Your Grace, O Jesus my God. Receive me as You received Joseph and Nicodemus, that I may offer to You my soul like a clean shroud, may anoint Your most pure body with the fragrant spices of virtue, and may have You in my heart as in a tomb, as I cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 12
Praising Your voluntary Crucifixion, we venerate Your Passion, O Christ. We believe with the centurion that You are truly the Son of God Who are coming on the clouds with power and great glory. Put us not then to shame, who are redeemed by Your blood, and thus cry aloud:
Jesus, long-suffering, by the lamentation of Your Virgin Mother,
rescue us from eternal weeping!
Jesus, forsaken by all, do not forsake me in the hour of my death!
Jesus, with Mary Magdalene who touched Your feet, receive me!
Jesus, condemn me not with the traitor and those who crucified You!
Jesus, bring me into Paradise with the Good Thief!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 13 - thrice
O Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, accept this small act of thanksgiving offered to You with all our soul, and heal us by Your saving Passion from all sickness of soul and body. Protect us by Your Cross from enemies visible and invisible, and do not forsake us at the end of our life, that saved by Your death from eternal death, we may unceasingly cry to You: Alleluia!
Oikos 1 - repeated
In completing the choirs of angels, You did not take on the angelic nature, but being the Eternal God, for my sake You became man, and You restored to life men who were dead through sin with Your Life-giving Body and Blood. Therefore, in gratitude for Your amazing love, we humbly cry to You:
Jesus, God, Eternal Love, Who was pleased to save us who are born of earth!
Jesus, Infinite Mercy, Who came down here to us fallen creatures!
Jesus, Who was clothed in our flesh and destroyed the dominion of death by Your death!
Jesus, Who deify us with Your Divine Mysteries!
Jesus, Who have redeemed the whole world by Your Cross and Passion!
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when You come into Your Kingdom!
Kontakion 1 - repeated
Supreme Ruler and Lord of Heaven and earth, seeing You, the Immortal King, hanging on the Cross, all creation was changed, Heaven was horrified, and the foundations of the earth were shaken. But we, unworthy as we are, offer You thankful adoration for Your Passion in our behalf, and with the Robber we cry to You:
Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom!
PRAYER TO JESUS CRUCIFIED
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Creator of Heaven and earth, Savior of the world, Behold I who am unworthy and of all mankind most sinful, humbly bow the knee of my heart before the glory of Your majesty and praise Your Cross and Passion, and offer thanksgiving to You, the King and God of all, that You were pleased to bear as man all labors and hardships, all temptations and tortures, that You might be our Fellow-sufferer and Helper, and a Savior to all of us in all our sorrows, needs, and sufferings.
I know, O all-powerful Lord, that all these things were not necessary for You, but for us and for our salvation You endured Your Cross and Passion that You might redeem us from all cruel bondage to the enemy. What, then, shall I give in return to You, O Lover of Mankind, for all that You have suffered for me, a sinner? I cannot say, for soul and body and all blessings come from You, and all that I have is Yours, and I am Your. Yet I know that love is repaid only by love.
Teach me, then, to love and praise You. Trusting solely in Your infinite compassion and mercy, O Lord, I praise Your unspeakable patience, I magnify Your unutterable exhaustion, I glorify Your boundless mercy, I adore Your purest Passion, and most lovingly kissing Your wounds, I cry: Have mercy on me a sinner, and cause that Your holy Cross may not be fruitless in me, that I may participate here with faith in Your sufferings and be vouchsafed to behold also the glory of Your Kingdom in Heaven. Amen.