Opening of the great Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos — sung standing (a-kathistos: 'not seated') in the Orthodox Church during the Saturdays of Great Lent.
Orthodox · Patristic (1st–7th c.)
Akathist Hymn — Opening
To thee, the Champion Leader,
we thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving
as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos.
But as thou art one with might which is invincible,
from all dangers that can be do thou deliver us,
that we may cry to thee:
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
An Angel of supreme rank was sent from heaven to say to the Theotokos: Rejoice!
And contemplating thee, Lord, taking bodily form,
he was struck with amazement and stood crying out to her such things as these:
Rejoice, thou through whom joy shines forth;
Rejoice, thou through whom the curse is annulled.
Rejoice, the recalling of fallen Adam;
Rejoice, the redemption of the tears of Eve.
Rejoice, height inaccessible to human thoughts;
Rejoice, depth indiscernible even for the eyes of Angels.
Rejoice, for thou art the throne of the King;
Rejoice, for thou bearest him who beareth all.
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!