For all Akathists published on our site, click here. This Akathist was recently provided in English by Maxim, who kindly asks all Orthodox Christians to keep him in their prayers for his repentance.
NOTE: This Akathist is at least 200 years old as it was translated in Romanian from Church Slavonic from Russia back then.
You can see it chanted by clergy and believers in the Church here:Â Â https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXMs8dTY3-M , here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1bcGEpbnmU and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6fioHxSOu0
Kontakion 1
We, who are immersed in the waves of many sins, are not worthy to praise you, Holy Melchizedek, King of righteousness, King of peace, without father, without mother, without genealogy, but wishing to be worthy, like Abraham once was, of your blessing, we lift up to God from the depths of our hearts the song: Alleluia!
Ikos 1
As in a mirror we see you, Holy Melchizedek, shining before the appearance of the Sun of righteousness with your body on earth and foreshadowing Him by wearing the priestly and royal crown, for which we magnify you thus:
Rejoice, King of peace;
Rejoice, Priest of the Unapproachable One;
Rejoice, Icon of the Son of the Father;
Rejoice, one from the city of peace;
Rejoice, foreshadowing of the Great High Priest;
Rejoice, revealer of the eternal priesthood;
Rejoice, heir to heavenly glory;
Rejoice, lover of the desert life;
Rejoice, servant of the King of peace;
Rejoice, joy of Abraham’s blessing;
Rejoice, defamer of paganism;
Rejoice, servant of the Mysteries of righteousness;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 2
You were born of a father who worshipped idols, but your heavenly Father, the Sun of Righteousness, enlightened the sky of your heart with the rays of His wisdom, that you might serve Him with songs of Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Your earthly father urged you to bring seven calves to be sacrificed to the empty idols, but on the way to this obedience, your heavenly Father enlightened your soul to know the truth, for which we sing to you thus:
Rejoice, for you contemplated the beauty of the sun;
Rejoice, for you have known its bright radiance;
Rejoice, for by contemplating the sun you have known the Sun of righteousness;
Rejoice, for you have been softened by the sight of the stars;
Rejoice, for the darkness of ignorance has been dispelled from you;
Rejoice, for the moon accompanied you on the path of your thoughts;
Rejoice, for you have known the Creator from the beauty of creation;
Rejoice, for the light of Wisdom has overshadowed you;
Rejoice, for you have marveled at the gifts of the Creator;
Rejoice, for the vanity of idols was revealed to you;
Rejoice, for you knew the Unseen One from contemplating the visible;
Rejoice, for you were inflamed with the fire of zeal for the Truth;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 3
With the gift of wisdom from above, marveling at the mysteries revealed to you, you ran to your father so that he might come to his senses and sing, he too, to the Creator of all: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Your father was very angry when he saw you, newly enlightened, advising him to submit to God’s judgment and renounce the vanity of idols, and we praise your boldness thus:
Rejoice, for you have defamed the soulless idols;
Rejoice, for you did not obey the mute idols;
Rejoice, for you spoke wisely against them;
Rejoice, for you considered it fitting to sacrifice yourself to the King God;
Rejoice, for you confessed Him to be the Maker of all creation;
Rejoice, for you magnified the immortal and invisible One;
Rejoice, for you bowed down with humility before the One who is beyond measure;
Rejoice, for with your mind you worshipped the One who is beyond comprehension;
Rejoice, for you endured your father’s wrath;
Rejoice, for you have confessed the Truth with strength;
Rejoice, for you have not feared the dark-minded;
Rejoice, for the Lord has comforted you in your passion for the Truth;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 4
Again you went to fulfill the obedience of your father, who threatened you with death, but in your heart you contemplated the greatness of the Father of lights, to whom all creation sings: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
Your father thought to bring you, the defamer of idolatrous vanity, as a sacrifice to lifeless idols, but the care of the Lord protected you, for which we sing to you:
Rejoice, for the unseen Hand of the Lord has protected you from death;
Rejoice, for your mother grieved greatly when she learned of your father’s plan;
Rejoice, for the lots chose your father to be sacrificed;
Rejoice, for you were moved by your mother’s lament;
Rejoice, for you wept bitterly over your brother’s impending death;
Rejoice, for you did not suffer to see the sons who were offered to Death;
Rejoice, for you denounced the pagan feast that brought death;
Rejoice, for you did not suffer the cruelty of those who hate the Truth;
Rejoice, for you placed all your hope in the True God;
Rejoice, for you renounced all the errors of the unfaithful;
Rejoice, for your heart yearned for the Most High;
Rejoice, for you desired to serve Him with all your soul;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 5
Unable to bear to see the devilish celebration stained with innocent blood, you chose the path of exile, guided unseen by the King of Angels, to whom we also cry out: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
The hand of the Lord guided you unseen, as in a land of promise, to Mount Tabor, that you might be sweetened by the mercy of Him who is glorified in heaven and on earth, Who enlightens us also to praise you thus:
Rejoice, for the Gift of God has guided you to good things;
Rejoice, for you have left the vanity of life among the pagans;
Rejoice, for you have sought the Glory of the Lord with all your soul;
Rejoice, for you have renounced all the customs of the pagans;
Rejoice, for Mount Tabor has received you with joy;
Rejoice, for you have sanctified its paths with prayer;
Rejoice, for the density of the forest has hidden you;
Rejoice, for you have accepted estrangement from your own for the sake of Truth;
Rejoice, for the mercy of the Lord has covered you;
Rejoice, for you took up the good yoke of obedience;
Rejoice, for you joyfully gathered the fruits of Faith;
Rejoice, for you always lifted up prayers to the Lord;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 6
Bowing your knees in humility, you also bowed the knees of your heart and prayed to the Lord, asking for justice for the pagans, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Driven by righteous anger toward those who did not want to know the Ways of the Lord, you asked for the destruction of those gathered at the devilish feast to slaughter your brother, and the Lord heard you, and for this Miracle, we praise you thus:
Rejoice, for you did not suffer the wicked deed that was planned;
Rejoice, for you wanted to put an end to wickedness;
Rejoice, for through your prayer, the Lord showed His justice;
Rejoice, for the place sacrificed to idols was swallowed up by the earth;
Rejoice, for you marveled at the power of the Lord;
Rejoice, for your righteous prayer was answered;
Rejoice, for you were strengthened even more in the fear of the Lord;
Rejoice, for you were seized with fear at the pitiful sight;
Rejoice, for you have ascended Mount Tabor again;
Rejoice, for you have sacrificed your whole life to the Lord;
Rejoice, for you have shown yourself to be a torch of prayer in the wilderness;
Rejoice, for the incense of your prayer rose to the heavenly throne;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 7
You spent seven years in the thicket of the forest, on Mount Tabor, offering fervent prayers to the Lord to the joy of the Angels who sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
The forest fed you with the buds of trees and wild honey, and the dew from above quenched your thirst, as you meditated constantly on heavenly things, for which we magnify you thus:
Rejoice, for you did not taste the fruits of disobedience;
Rejoice, for you fed on the buds of trees;
Rejoice, for you sweetened yourself with wild honey;
Rejoice, for you enjoyed the honey of prayer even more;
Rejoice, for you chose alienation for the sake of God;
Rejoice, for the sky has served as your roof;
Rejoice, for you have faced all the harshness of nature;
Rejoice, for you have kept the torch of Faith burning;
Rejoice, for you have chosen the wilderness as your home;
Rejoice, for the Lord has blessed your zeal;
Rejoice, for you have walked the path of Faith with hope;
Rejoice, for you have chosen the forest as your friend;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 8
After seven years of your sojourn on Mount Tabor, the Lord spoke to Abraham, commanding him to seek you in the mountain, Man of God, of Him to whom all creation sings: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
After Abraham’s third call, you came out of the thicket, Holy Melchizedek, but the righteous one (Abraham) was greatly frightened, for you appeared as a wild man, but we praise your sacrifice for the Unapproachable One, singing to you:
Rejoice, for the Lord commanded Abraham to seek you out;
Rejoice, for he came to you in the mountain;
Rejoice, for at the third call you revealed yourself;
Rejoice, for Abraham was greatly afraid of your appearance;
Rejoice, for you gently reassured him;
Rejoice, for you wandered in the mountain for the Glorious One;
Rejoice, for the Lord’s care comforted you;
Rejoice, for you are a prayer for those who love peace;
Rejoice, swift helper of strangers;
Rejoice, adornment of Mount Tabor;
Rejoice, knower of the mysteries of prayer;
Rejoice, enlightened by the gift of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 9
Abraham hastened to fulfill the Lord’s command, caring for you as a faithful servant of the Most High, to whom you sang in secret: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
According to the Lord’s command, Abraham shaved your head, cut your nails, clothed you, and shod you, and you submitted yourself completely to the divine will, for which we praise you thus:
Rejoice, for your hair was cut by Abraham;
Rejoice, for you had previously cut off all worldly cares;
Rejoice, for your nails were also cut;
Rejoice, for you cut off all the snares of the evil one;
Rejoice, servant and master of the wilderness of Mount Tabor;
Rejoice, for you received clothes in the Name of Christ;
Rejoice, for you gladly accepted to be shod;
Rejoice, for your feet walked in the ways of righteousness;
Rejoice, for you were prepared to show yourself to men;
Rejoice, for you chose poverty of your own free will;
Rejoice, for you were enriched in the mercy of the Lord;
Rejoice, for you showed yourself to be a chosen vessel of wisdom;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 10
After three days, you came down from the mountain to bless Abraham, according to the will of the Lord, to whom we joyfully sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
You anointed Abraham with oil from the horn and blessed him to be the father of many nations, and after a few days, a voice from heaven taught Abraham that you are a priest forever, without father, without mother, and without genealogy, for which we praise you thus:
Rejoice, fountain of heavenly blessings;
Rejoice, for the Lord has shown you to be a priest forever;
Rejoice, for Abraham rejoiced in your blessing;
Rejoice, for you valued the harshness of the desert more;
Rejoice, for you separated yourself from the comfort of your parents;
Rejoice, for you foreshadowed the Son of God;
Rejoice, for you are the mediator of priests to the High Priest;
Rejoice, for you despised the communion of your relatives;
Rejoice, for you renounced the company of your friends;
Rejoice, for you honored God above men;
Rejoice, for you received from the Lord the gift of being a Priest;
Rejoice, for you are a new ladder to the King of Heaven;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 11
When Abraham returned from cutting off Hodorlaomer, you brought bread and wine to him and his servants, foreshadowing the Last Supper ordained by Christ, to the joy of those who sing to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Wanting to correct Avva Daniel, who believed that you were the Son of God, Saint Cyril of Alexandria asked him to pray for the revelation of the Truth, for which we sing with joy as follows:
Rejoice, for the Lord has established the Truth about you;
Rejoice, for Abba Daniel saw all the Patriarchs before you;
Rejoice, for the Angel showed you to Abba clearly;
Rejoice, for the old man knew that you were not the Son of God;
Rejoice, for he believed that you were human;
Rejoice, for we confess you as Priest of the Lord;
Rejoice, for you received tithes from Abraham;
Rejoice, for you are ever a supplicant for the world;
Rejoice, for you are a helper to devout priests;
Rejoice, for you shone with high gifts from the Lord;
Rejoice, for you opened the way of the desert to many;
Rejoice, for you served the Lord with fervent love;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 12
Stranger Emperor and Priest of the Most High God, you are, Holy Melchizedek, the one who has shown us the perfect image of Christ, to whom the angelic voices sing unceasingly: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
As one who reigned over passions and proved yourself worthy Priest of the High Priest, bless us also with the gift of repentance and intercede for us for forgiveness at the Judgment of the Lord, that we may sing to you such things as these:
Rejoice, for you have been sanctified as Priest of the Most High;
Rejoice, treasury of the Lord’s gifts;
Rejoice, for you have known the True God of your own free will;
Rejoice, for He has shown you to be a treasury of heavenly gifts;
Rejoice, for you are our swift intercessor before Christ;
Rejoice, for you are our strong hope at the Judgment of the Son;
Rejoice, for you have zealously kept the Commandment of the Father;
Rejoice, for you have received the Gifts of the Spirit in abundance;
Rejoice, for you were a living foreshadowing of the Great High Priest;
Rejoice, for you kindle in souls the fire of zeal for heavenly things;
Rejoice, for you have despised all things for the love of God;
Rejoice, for you are our defender at the Judgment of the Son;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 13
O Holy and Righteous Melchizedek, who art a Priest forever, according to the Word of the Lord, pray to the High Priest to bless us also, that we may bring forth a hundredfold fruit of repentance to the joy of the angelic hosts, who sing unceasingly: Alleluia!
(This Kontakion is said 3 times)
Ikos 1
As in a mirror we see you, Holy Melchizedek, shining before the appearance of the Sun of righteousness with your body on earth and foreshadowing Him by wearing the priestly and royal crown, for which we magnify you thus:
Rejoice, King of peace;
Rejoice, Priest of the Unapproachable One;
Rejoice, Icon of the Son of the Father;
Rejoice, one from the city of peace;
Rejoice, foreshadowing of the Great High Priest;
Rejoice, revealer of the eternal priesthood;
Rejoice, heir to heavenly glory;
Rejoice, lover of the desert life;
Rejoice, servant of the King of peace;
Rejoice, joy of Abraham’s blessing;
Rejoice, defamer of paganism;
Rejoice, servant of the Mysteries of righteousness;
Rejoice, Holy Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God!
Kontakion 1
We, who are immersed in the waves of many sins, are not worthy to praise you, Holy Melchizedek, King of righteousness, King of peace, without father, without mother, without genealogy, but wishing to be worthy, like Abraham once was, of your blessing, we lift up to God from the depths of our hearts the song: Alleluia!
It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without defilement you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos we magnify you!
Through the prayers of our most holy Fathers, O our Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
 Original Source of the Original Akathist: https://archive.org/details/ac.-m
