An Akathist is a standing prayer which comes to us as a gift of the Eastern Christian churches. The most celebrated of the many Akathists is that in honor of the Mother of God. For some time I've been eager to share with us the Akathist of Thanksgiving: Glory to God For All Things. I see that between now and Christmas we can pray each of the thirteen parts which comprise the prayer.
There are two parts to each section — the Kontakion and Ikos are short sermon like paragraphs, the Ikos followed by 8 poem like lines. Said to be the only word we know from the angel lexicon, Alleluia ends most of the Ikos prayers. While I'll continue to post the Sunday Intercessions each Thursday, the Akathist parts will be posted 11/30, 12/5, 12/6, 12/7, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/19, 12/20/ 12/21, 12/22 and 12/13. After each section I'll add a few thoughts (marked with an asterik *) which may help us to enter the prayer more deeply.
The Akathist of Thanksgiving was composed by Metropolitan Tryphon of Turkestan (+1934). The prayer was found in the papers of the Priest-Martyr Gregory Petroff who died in a concentration camp in 1942. Both priests understood suffering which makes the prayer's themes and insights all the more remarkable. Our day has its own suffering. May I suggest bringing that awareness to the prayer.
Kontakion 1
Everlasting King, your will for our salvation is full of power. Your right arm controls the whole course of human life. We give you thanks for all your mercies, seen and unseen. For eternal life, for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which is to be. Grant mercy to us who sing your praise, both now and in the time to come. Glory to you, O God, from age to age.
Ikos 1
I was born a *weak, defenseless child, but your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now your love has illumined my path, and has wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity; from birth until now the generous gifts of your *providence have been marvelously showered upon me. I give you thanks, with *all who have come to know you, who call upon your name.
Glory to you for *calling me into being
Glory to you showing me the beauty of the universe
Glory to you, spreading out before me heaven and earth
*like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom
Glory to you for your eternity in this *fleeting world
Glory to you for your *mercies, seen and unseen
Glory to you through every *sigh of my sorrow
Glory to you for *every step of my life's journey
for every moment of glory
Glory to you, O God from age to age.
* I am always God's child — not only when I am in my infancy.
* God's providence — God's open hands.
* "all who have come to know you" — the prayer is communal.
* "calling me into being" suggests God's naming me — it matters to God that I exist.
* "like the pages in a book" — nature is God's first book.
* "fleeting world" — beauty and joy are partial and last only a short time — might
God be beauty and joy which lasts forever?
* God's mercies — God's kindness.
* sighs and tears?
* "every step of life's journey" — some steps are setbacks, mistaken,
damage along the way.
