Akathist to Saint Ephrem the Syrian - By Athonite Monks

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 January 28

NOTE: This is an Akathist from the website “O Chilie Athonita” – “An Athonite Cell”. The text of this Akathist was written by Athonite Monks.

Troparion of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, 8th tone:

The grace that flows from your mouth, holy one, has filled the Church with the waters of life and has caused rivers of piety to flow into the world, pouring out upon us the water of repentance. Therefore, teaching us with your words, Father Ephrem, you have illuminated the path to Christ. For this we cry out to you: pray to our God to save our souls!

Kontakion 1, Tone 2

Seeing the hour of judgment ahead, you wept bitterly, holy Father Ephrem, as a lover of peace; and you were a skilled teacher with your pious deeds. For this reason, most blessed one, who lifts up the lazy to repentance, we sing to you with love: Rejoice, Most Reverend Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Ikos 1

You were a child and you saw in a dream a fruitful vine coming out of your mouth, and it grew and filled the whole earth, and all the birds of the sky came and took shelter in it. The more they gathered the clusters, the more the fruit of the vine multiplied. We do not know how to praise you properly, Father, but accept our song:

Rejoice, for you sprang from the land of Nisibis;

Rejoice, most luminous sun of the Syrians;

Rejoice, for from childhood you fled from words harmful to the soul;

Rejoice, for no evil word came from your lips;

Rejoice, most honorable one, for you had good deeds and diligence in your labors as your companions;

Rejoice, knower of the divine Scriptures;

Rejoice, philosopher of the divine;

Rejoice, divine cup of humility;

Rejoice, orchard adorned with many kinds of flowers;

Rejoice, inexhaustible fountain of tears;

Rejoice, unquenchable fire of humility;

Rejoice, friend of good deeds;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 2

Fleeing from worldly strife, holy one, you despised the soul-damaging words of those of your own age and, seeking the quiet of the desert, you occupied yourself with reading the Holy Scriptures and, together with the prophet David, you said: “How sweet are your words to my throat, more than honey!” Thus you gave praise to God, singing: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

As a young man, you showed yourself to be a vine bearing abundant fruit, and your teachings rose to great heights, satisfying the souls of the faithful, divine Ephrem. For this we sing with joy:

Rejoice, for you showed yourself to be a follower of Saint James the Bishop;

Rejoice, for he baptized you in Nisibis and taught you;

Rejoice, servant of the Church of Edessa;

Rejoice, gentle and humble of heart;

Rejoice, for you have been called the theologian of tears;

Rejoice, lyre of the Holy Spirit;

Rejoice, fruitful vine of God;

Rejoice, sweet-smelling flower;

Rejoice, treasure of good deeds;

Rejoice, good and faithful steward of God’s gift;

Rejoice, skilled worker in deed and word;

Rejoice, truly zealous and follower of the first disciples;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 3

Leaving the homeland where you were born, Father, you received the command to venerate the Holy Relics and the exhortation to meet an elder who was God-bearing, from whom you would learn things for the benefit of the soul, and for this you sang to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

Wanting to hunt your virgin soul, the devil tempted you with the words of a wanton woman who wanted to draw you into sin, but you, God-mindful one, knowing the devil’s tricks, were her teacher on the path to salvation. For this we, according to worthiness, offer you praise:

Rejoice, for in the city of Edessa, you sought a model of life;

Rejoice, for you thanked the woman for the usefulness of her words;

Rejoice, for you magnified the unfathomable power of God;

Rejoice, for you won the soul of the adulterous woman;

Rejoice, through whom Satan was put to shame;

Rejoice, conqueror of his plots;

Rejoice, guide of young people;

Rejoice, you who raise the lazy to repentance;

Rejoice, for you lead those who repent by the hand;

Rejoice, another Euphrates that pours forth wise dogmas;

Rejoice, beautiful adornment of paradise;

Rejoice, luminous pillar of monasticism;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 4

Being a lover of silence, you devoted yourself to fasting, vigil, and sleeping on the floor, and you despised all worldly things and desired eternal glory every day, singing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

You appeared as another Sun, bearer of light, sending rays of teachings to the ends of the world, enlightened by God. For this, we, the unworthy, sing to you with humility:

Rejoice, for you followed in the footsteps of the Forerunner;

Rejoice, for through fasting and prayer you became the dwelling place of the Trinity;

Rejoice, support of hermits;

Rejoice, father of the sons of the desert;

Rejoice, for through weeping you have regained your happiness;

Rejoice, for you have received the gift of tears;

Rejoice, you who have multiplied the disciples of Christ;

Rejoice, supporter of all who despair;

Rejoice, eloquent mouth;

Rejoice, guide of monks;

Rejoice, for you loved the heavenly treasure, living on earth like an angel;

Rejoice, thoughtful Euphrates of the Church;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 5

Desiring to receive the crown from the heavenly Bridegroom, you renounced all things, like the Apostles, struggling with hunger by day and sleep by night. For all this, Christ the Lord rewarded you with the gift of foresight and revealed to you the mystery of things to come. All together we cry out to the One who enlightened you: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

When you were not busy teaching Christians to strengthen the true faith against pagans and heretics, you humbly devoted yourself to the service of all, like a true deacon, like Christ, who made Himself our “servant.” With love and faith, we sing to you:

Rejoice, for you were wounded by the love of the Almighty;

Rejoice, chosen one of God;

Rejoice, teacher of divine things;

Rejoice, for your life was blameless;

Rejoice, worthy of praise;

Rejoice, for you proved yourself a most honorable helper in battles with enemies;

Rejoice, unquenchable torch that illuminates the darkness of ignorance;

Rejoice, for your tears have dried up the flood of lust;

Rejoice, for your teachings have dried up the springs of heresy;

Rejoice, for you have given no sleep to your eyes;

Rejoice, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit;

Rejoice, great in word and deep in humility;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 6

We, the faithful, praise you, the heir to Heaven and the bright offspring of Syria, Reverend Ephrem, great in word and deep in humility. For truly, striving with great zeal for Christ, you have become a paradise that blossoms and never withers, for which the Church sings with one voice: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

My soul, troubled by the storm of thoughts, approaches the spring of your tears, begging you to cleanse it with your divine gift, which dwells within you. For this reason, with a broken and humble heart, I sing to you with trembling:

Rejoice, flower of the desert with sweet fragrance;

Rejoice, inexhaustible spring of teachings;

Rejoice, treasure of wisdom;

Rejoice, joy of the faithful;

Rejoice, guide in the discoveries of God;

Rejoice, defender of the true faith;

Rejoice, my guide on the path to salvation;

Rejoice, giver of light;

Rejoice, for you remained undisturbed by the wiles of the enemy;

Rejoice, for you had a firm foundation of faith;

Rejoice, knower of God’s mysteries;

Rejoice, you who lift us up to heaven through your prayers;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 7

Seeing the depth of your humility, the Lord gave you words of great power, through which the heretics were put to shame. For this we sing the angelic song offered to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

Humbling yourself before men and God, like St. John Chrysostom, who lived with you in the golden age of Christianity, you did not receive, holy one, the gift of the priesthood. But God, the Knower of hearts, gave you here on earth the friendship of great saints:

Rejoice, friend of the great Basil, the Cappadocian;

Rejoice, for you received from him the gift of the diaconate;

Rejoice, for through his prayers, you spoke eloquently;

Rejoice, for although you did not know it, the grace of the Holy Spirit overshadowed you and thus you spoke;

Rejoice, most wise man among the Syrians;

Rejoice, long-suffering one;

Rejoice, you who loved the Mother of God;

Rejoice, for you glorified her with songs and psalms;

Rejoice, you who theologized in verse;

Rejoice, teacher of the Church of Christ;

Rejoice, for you adorned the Ecumenical Church with your deeds;

Rejoice, most luminous star of Orthodoxy;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 8

You who have shown yourself to be the most luminous Sun of the Church, show us, through your intercessions, to be luminous at the fearful judgment of Christ. You who were an inexhaustible fountain of tears, soften our hearts hardened by the storm of passions. You who were the divine fire of humility, kindle in us the love of God and neighbor, that together with you we may sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

In your earthly life, you fulfilled in all things the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father Ephrem, laying down your life for your fellow men, teaching and nourishing all who came to you, and we, with great love, say thus:

Rejoice, chosen one among the righteous;

Rejoice, sweetness of monks;

Rejoice, comfort of the despairing;

Rejoice, for you have devoted your whole life to Christ;

Rejoice, for you lifted your mind to heavenly things;

Rejoice, for you showed yourself to be a ceaseless intercessor;

Rejoice, haven for those in the storm;

Rejoice, lover and servant of the poor;

Rejoice, poor in worldly things but rich in spiritual things;

Rejoice, for you have striven for the treasures of God;

Rejoice, strength of monks and lay people;

Rejoice, joy of the pious and radiance of hermits;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 9

Being filled with the Holy Spirit and unable to give voice to the multitude of revelations that came from the Spirit, you prayed: “Lord, stop the waves of Your grace!” We, however, pray to you, Most Holy Father Ephrem, do not overlook our prayers, but make us worthy to sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

Your mind, heart, and will reflected the will of the Spirit, which you poured out upon this world through the hymns you sang, the verses you wrote, the teachings you spoke, and the deeds of your hands, which spoke. Being an example to us, we sing to you: Alleluia!

Rejoice, bearer of God;

Rejoice, teacher of repentance;

Rejoice, lover of spiritual life;

Rejoice, first hymnographer of the Church;

Rejoice, for you made poetry into theology;

Rejoice, for you sang with great love the true faith;

Rejoice, support of the poor;

Rejoice, skilled worker of the Lord’s commandments;

Rejoice, pillar of the righteous Church;

Rejoice, most skilled writer of the Syrians;

Rejoice, great teacher of divine things;

Rejoice, fervent lover of the desert;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 10

Knowing beforehand the hour of judgment, you wept bitterly, Father Ephrem, becoming a lover of silence and a skilled teacher of divine mysteries, speaking everywhere about judgment and the second coming of Christ. Make us worthy, therefore, to sing with you to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

Although you despised praise all your life, we cannot hide what the Lord Himself has commanded us. We cannot hide your wonderful life under the veil of silence. Therefore, we praise you as best we can:

Rejoice, for you have changed the lives of many for the better;

Rejoice, our long-awaited joy;

Rejoice, for we always find comfort through your prayers;

Rejoice, you who bow down to the cries of our hearts;

Rejoice, victor in battles with demons;

Rejoice, lover of purity;

Rejoice, refuge of the desperate;

Rejoice, for you delighted in prayer;

Rejoice, for you proved yourself a great illuminator;

Rejoice, awakener of the slothful;

Rejoice, divine fire that makes the souls of the faithful shine;

Rejoice, for you endured all things for Christ;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 11

Despising the precious garment of the one who wanted to wrap your body after death, you were greatly saddened that your command was disregarded, and that man, wounded by the devil, lamented beside your bed. Marveling at this, we sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

You never gained any wealth on earth, obeying the Good King, who in the Gospels of His disciples commands: “Gain nothing on earth!” Therefore, you had no passion of this kind. Therefore, we also say to you, beloved:

Rejoice, for you spent your life in tears and sighs;

Rejoice, for you always fled from worldly strife;

Rejoice, blessed father, for you despised praise;

Rejoice, for your writings are full of repentance;

Rejoice, for your face was always wet with tears;

Rejoice, Father Ephrem, for you were terrified of God’s judgment;

Rejoice, blessed soul, adorned with perfect deeds;

Rejoice, prophet of the Syrians;

Rejoice, precious adornment of Orthodoxy;

Rejoice, sword against heretics;

Rejoice, our intercessor before the Lord God;

Rejoice, beloved, who through your tears bring Christ to us;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 12

When you reached the end of your saving labors, Holy Father Ephrem, you entrusted your soul into the hands of Christ, you passed into the heavenly places, where you dwell with all the friends of God, the saints, with whom you sing everlasting praise to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

Knowing the end of this passing life, you gave a fatherly command to those present not to bury you with great pomp, but simply in the cemetery of the poor, and instead of flowers and incense, to offer you their prayers. To you, who were pleasing to God, we humbly sing:

Rejoice, you who have discerned the mysteries of Christ’s second coming;

Rejoice, you who knew beforehand the hour of judgment;

Rejoice, you who never had a purse, a staff, a bag, silver, gold, or any earthly possessions;

Rejoice, for you commanded to be buried simply, among the poor;

Rejoice, for you did not covet the costly garment;

Rejoice, for you rebuked the one who defamed the fatherly commandment;

Rejoice, holy one, for in your mercy you healed the demoniac;

Rejoice, another heaven on earth with many stars;

Rejoice, lover of spiritual life;

Rejoice, flowing spring with many kinds of waters;

Rejoice, for you have beautified theological thought;

Rejoice, paradise that always blossoms and never withers;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 13

O most wonderful Father Ephrem, who can truly describe your struggles? With what words of praise shall we honor you, who have become the home of the Holy Trinity? Our words are too poor, but accept our humble song, that together with you, we may sing to God: Alleluia!

This kontakion is said three times.

Ikos 1

Rejoice, for you sprang from the land of Nisibis;

Rejoice, most luminous sun of the Syrians;

Rejoice, for from childhood you fled from words harmful to the soul;

Rejoice, for no evil word came from your lips;

Rejoice, most honorable one, for you had good deeds and diligence in your labors as your companions;

Rejoice, knower of the divine Scriptures;

Rejoice, philosopher of the divine;

Rejoice, divine cup of humility;

Rejoice, orchard adorned with many kinds of flowers;

Rejoice, inexhaustible fountain of tears;

Rejoice, unquenchable fire of humility;

Rejoice, friend of good deeds;

Rejoice, Most Holy Father Ephrem, you who mystically contemplate God!

Kontakion 1, tone 2

Prayer to Saint Ephrem the Syrian:

Most Gracious Lord, we thank You for always caring for us! You cause the sun to rise on the good and the bad, and You cause rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous, but the light of Your eternity and the dew of Your Holy Spirit always descend upon us through Your chosen saints: the disciples throughout the ages who always pray for us. Therefore, accept the prayers of our holy father, Ephrem the Syrian, who in his earthly life fulfilled Your will in all things and thus obtained a place in Your house, together with the saints who have pleased You from ages past! Deign, O Most Good One, that we too, who honor this great saint of Yours, through our prayers and deeds, may honor together with him, in Your kingdom, Your most honorable and most worthy name: that of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit! Amen!