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.
Feast Day April 30
Translator Note: This Saint James is the third closest Apostle to Christ, next to Saint Peter and Saint John the Theologian. He is always present with Christ and Sts. Peter and John, always mentioned in any occasion, and always speaks just like John and Peter. He was present on Mount Tabor with Peter and John and he was also present in the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ prayed. Because of these he is one of the most powerful Apostles, one of the most powerful saints. People would do good to have him as their intercessor.
Powerful dispeller of spells and protector from troubles and illnesses; patron saint of missionaries, theologians, and pilgrims. Also the patron saint of those with anger issues.
Kontakion 1
Chosen by the Lord for the peace of your unblemished soul, you were taken by Him from the fishing nets to preach the Gospel, and He guided you from catching fish to catching people, Great Apostle and Disciple of Christ, James, son of thunder. Pray to the Only Lover of mankind, whom you loved sincerely, to have mercy on us who seek your intercession with Him and call upon you: Rejoice, Holy James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Ikos 1
The angelic hosts rejoiced when the Creator, Master, and Lord Jesus Christ, who became incarnate for our salvation, saw you walking by the sea and called you to the ministry of the apostleship together with your brother, blessed James, leaving your father and your fishing nets in the boats, walking unceasingly in the footsteps of the Savior. For this, we cry out to you:
Rejoice, leaving your earthly father for the love of Christ;
Rejoice, having found the Heavenly Father through Christ;
Rejoice, despising the world and all its charms;
Rejoice, you who were rewarded with heavenly goodness;
Rejoice, you who enslaved your body to the spirit;
Rejoice, you who submitted your spirit to the sweetest Teacher, Jesus;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 2
Being a disciple of the Lord Christ, you had an enlightened mind in all things and were inflamed with zeal for the glory of God, honorable Apostle James, and the Savior called you and your brother “sons of thunder,” and you sang to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Like Elijah, you were inflamed like a flame when you heard Christ’s preaching, loving the Source of Life with all your heart and learning from Him the gentleness of grace, and we call out:
Rejoice, you who are full of spiritual zeal;
Rejoice, worshipping the glory of God;
Rejoice, arrow of words that pierces reason;
Rejoice, wisdom that tears apart the souls of adversaries;
Rejoice, you who are freed from selfishness;
Rejoice, servant of eternal life;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 3
You recognized the power of Christ’s holiness hidden in His human body when the Lord raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, and you were deemed worthy, along with the Holy Apostles Peter and John, to be a participant in many glorious miracles. Seeing that Christ is the true God from the depths of your heart, you cried out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Enlightening your soul with the understanding of the true knowledge of God, you walked in the footsteps of your Good Teacher, learning from His wisdom, and you were loved by Christ your Lord for your complete lack of wickedness. Hear us when we sing these things to you:
Rejoice, servant of the true God;
Rejoice, exorcist of demons;
Rejoice, you who raised the dead by the power of Christ;
Rejoice, restoring people to life and health;
Rejoice, calling those who are darkened in mind to the Light of Truth;
Rejoice, teaching the true faith through the illumination of virtues;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 4
Illuminated by the divine apparition on Mount Tabor, you witnessed the Transfiguration of the Lord Christ, Holy Apostle James, seeing the Mysteries of God to whom you cried out: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
The Holy Word spoke on Mount Tabor where the Lord shone with glory, revealing His divinity, blessed James, and you were honored to hear the voice of the Father who testified to the Son, and for this we call you:
Rejoice, knowledge of the Lord Christ beyond human nature;
Rejoice, vessel of holy mysteries that cannot be comprehended by the human mind;
Rejoice, you who saw Christ in divine revelation;
Rejoice, faithful teacher;
Rejoice, knowing the joys of the saints even in this life;
Rejoice, for now you enjoy them in abundance;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 5
For the sake of the Lord, you accepted His death, believing in the true Resurrection, witnessing Judas’ betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane, where you wept with tears to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Having great boldness toward Christ, the Son of God who loved you, you were worthy of the promise to drink His cup and be baptized with His Baptism. For this we cry out to you:
Rejoice, fellow disciple of Christ;
Rejoice, His dear friend;
Rejoice, having boldness before the Savior;
Rejoice, partaker of His Cup and Baptism;
Rejoice, receiving the words of the Lord as a treasure of great value in your heart;
Rejoice, first among the twelve Apostles and disciples to be killed;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 6
Although you endured with great suffering the storm of Jewish anger near the Cross of Christ God, who willed to suffer for all mankind, you did not shake your faith and hope, blessed James, for you knew that He is the Savior of the world—Christ, prophesied from ancient times by the prophets for the salvation of fallen humanity. Marveling at His deep suffering and God’s long-suffering, you cried out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Hearing the divine voice of Christ, the Giver of life who rose from the dead after three days and entered the disciples’ room through the closed door, saying to them, “Peace be with you,” you rejoiced greatly, Holy James, bearer of God, and you worshiped Him with reverence as the true God, and then you preached His truth and Resurrection unceasingly. Therefore we praise you:
Rejoice, receiving Christ into your pure soul;
Rejoice, you who calm people with mercy, bringing them peace;
Rejoice, putting an end to the plots of the ancient enemy;
Rejoice, witness of Christ’s Resurrection;
Rejoice, seeing how the Lord passed through the door, like a miracle;
Rejoice, listening to His divine voice;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 7
Seeing the holy ascension of Christ into heaven and the Holy Spirit descending in tongues of fire, James the praised, you became a bearer of the Holy Spirit and, clothed with power from on high, went forth to preach the Gospel, proclaiming Christ God the Savior to people in the darkness of unbelief, enlightening them in the true faith to call Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Spiritual light descended upon you in the form of fire, and you yourself became fire, Holy James, driving away the darkness of lawlessness and enlightening the world with the ease of your wise words. For this we call you:
Rejoice, enlightening our souls with the dawn of God’s joy;
Rejoice, for you have enlightened those who slept in the darkness of ignorance with the radiance of your preaching;
Rejoice, for you bring people out of the depths of vanity;
Rejoice, for you lead those who are lost to Christ through faith;
Rejoice, for you bring Christ’s sheep into the Father’s fold;
Rejoice, for you feed them in lush pastures;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 8
You lived an honest and wonderful life, driven by the desire to follow the Savior to the end, blessed Jacob, becoming a pure and grace-filled chalice, enlightening souls with love, advancing and crying out to God who arranges everything for our good: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Being completely filled with divine love, you showed yourself to be a vessel for the gifts of the Holy Spirit: you healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead, taught that repentance leads to eternal life, preached the Word of God; thus please receive from us sinners these praises:
Rejoice, receiver of God’s grace;
Rejoice, house of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, healing power in sickness like a miraculous river;
Rejoice, source of teachings for the knowledge of the true faith;
Rejoice, rebuking the deceit of the cunning Satan;
Rejoice, protecting the faithful from his cunning;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 9
From above, the breath of the Comforter was kindled in you to show you full of the wisdom of God, being a partaker of the greatness of the incarnate Word, Holy Apostle James, crying out continually: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
You have put to shame the transience of human wisdom and the enticement of unbelievers, and you have brought many from idol worship to the faith of Christ, turning them from sin to salvation, and we cry out to you in silence:
Rejoice, servant of eternal life;
Rejoice, trumpet proclaiming to the world the Eternal and Unbegotten God;
Rejoice, explaining to us the humanity and Divinity of Christ;
Rejoice, proclaiming to us the Will of the Lord;
Rejoice, teaching us love in deed and truth;
Rejoice, for those who remain in love, God promises that He will remain in them;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 10
Your proclamation was louder than thunder, Holy James, for you thundered the Gospel of Christ God, our Creator and Redeemer, and taught the sorcerer Hermogenes and his disciple Philetus to know the One God of the Holy Trinity, crying out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You showed new miracles, Saint James, when Josiah, who sold you to the Jews for the name of Christ, also believed in God, asked your forgiveness, and received martyrdom with you, and we call upon you:
Rejoice, teaching us humility and gentleness;
Rejoice, driving away satanic spirits from people;
Rejoice, converting unbelievers with your miracles;
Rejoice, leading believers to the true faith with your teaching;
Rejoice, binding spiritual reins with heavenly clouds;
Rejoice, making hearts fruitful for Christ;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 11
Being hated by the Jews, you drank the cup of death as you promised the Lord and were baptized with His baptism, blessed James, and now you joyfully glorify Him face to face: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
When the evil Herod raised persecution against the Christians, then you, as a zealous confessor in the name of Christ, were betrayed and put to death, but your luminous soul, having reached the measure of perfect age, knew that the time was approaching when it was fitting for the corrupt to inherit the promised incorruption, that is, immortality, Saint James, and for this you humbly accepted God’s will for you and martyrdom. We, marveling at your zeal for the glory of God, sing to you thus:
Rejoice, for you desired the passion and death of your Teacher;
Rejoice, for you have become a partaker with Him;
Rejoice, for according to His promise, you have been seated on one of the twelve thrones in Heaven;
Rejoice, for you will judge and render justice among the people of God;
Rejoice in contemplating the Most Sweet Jesus, striving for Him with all your soul;
Rejoice, mediating from His mercy all that is good for us;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 12
By singing of your labors, miracles, and healings as an Apostle, we are filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, Saint James, and we praise God who has given us such a guide to lead us on the path of salvation, and praying that He may have mercy on our weaknesses, we cry out to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Living your life in holiness, you have reached the ranks of the Saints in the Kingdom of God, where you rejoice to see the unending dawn of the Sun of Righteousness, Saint James, and we who remain on earth with the blessing of your holy relics praise you thus:
Rejoice, zealous preacher of the faith of Christ;
Rejoice, most distinguished teacher of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, interpreter of the Divine Mysteries;
Rejoice, living in Heaven alongside the saints, hierarchs, and martyrs;
Rejoice, bringing us the help of all the saints;
Rejoice, swift helper and protector of all believers who run to your intercession;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 13
O most glorious Apostle of Christ, James, through your almighty intercession to our Teacher, Master, and Lord, ask for us all a good and Christian end to our temporal life, that together with you and the angelic hosts we may sing to our Triune God: Alleluia!
This Kontakion is said 3 times.
Ikos 1
The angelic hosts rejoiced when the Creator, Master, and Lord Jesus Christ, who became incarnate for our salvation, saw you walking by the sea and called you to the ministry of the apostleship together with your brother, blessed James, leaving your father and your fishing nets in the boats, walking unceasingly in the footsteps of the Savior. For this, we cry out to you:
Rejoice, leaving your earthly father for the love of Christ;
Rejoice, having found the Heavenly Father through Christ;
Rejoice, despising the world and all its charms;
Rejoice, you who were rewarded with heavenly goodness;
Rejoice, you who enslaved your body to the spirit;
Rejoice, you who submitted your spirit to the sweetest Teacher, Jesus;
Rejoice, Saint James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Kontakion 1
Chosen by the Lord for the peace of your unblemished soul, you were taken by Him from the fishing nets to preach the Gospel, and He guided you from catching fish to catching people, Great Apostle and Disciple of Christ, James, son of thunder. Pray to the Only Lover of mankind, whom you loved sincerely, to have mercy on us who seek your intercession with Him and call upon you: Rejoice, Holy James, Apostle of Christ and fervent intercessor for our souls!
Prayer:
Glorious Apostle, Saint James, chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ to be a witness of His glory on Mount Tabor and of His passion in Gethsemane; you, whose name is a symbol of war and victory, give us strength and victory in the endless spiritual warfare of this life, that we may overcome the forces of evil and enter victorious through the gates of Heaven, where we may rejoice eternally with you, glorifying God forever and ever. Amen.
