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 10
The Akathist of Saint Gregory of Nyssa can be read on any day, as this akathist has no special guidelines. Saint Gregory of Nyssa is the younger brother of Saint Basil the Great, and he was also a strong defender of the true faith and the dogma of the Holy Trinity.
Before beginning the Akathist of Saint Gregory of Nyssa, the opening prayers found in the Morning Prayers or Evening Prayers should be read.
 Troparion to the Akathist of Saint Gregory of Nyssa, 4th tone
God of our fathers, who always deals with us according to Your kindness, do not withdraw Your mercy from us; but, for their prayers, guide our lives in peace.
Kontakion 1
You who were enlightened by the Holy Spirit, Holy Hierarch Gregory, you showed yourself to the world as a worthy shepherd, whose inner eye saw the works of God, and with the staff of wisdom you drove away, blessed one, the enemies of the Church of Christ, protecting your flock from heresies; therefore, with love and faith, we sing to you: Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Ikos 1
Let us honor the enlightened archpastor and first among the hierarchs of Nyssa, Saint Gregory, brother in the flesh and similar in deeds to the Great Basil, as befits a friend and household member of God, saying to him thus:
Rejoice, offspring of a blessed lineage;
Rejoice, praise of your wonderful parents, worshippers of God;
Rejoice, joy of your father, blessed Basil;
Rejoice, fulfillment of the prayer of your mother, the pious Emilia;
Rejoice, brother of Saint Basil, whom you called “your father and teacher”;
Rejoice, follower and fulfiller of the pious advice of your sister Macrina;
Rejoice with Peter, your other brother and bishop of Sebaste;
Rejoice with Naugratius, your hard-working mentor and guide;
Rejoice, friend of the saints who came from your family;
Rejoice, you who completed the group of holy hierarchs;
Rejoice, fellow inhabitant of heaven with all the saints of God;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 2
All the people of Cappadocia rejoiced that God raised up orators, leaders, and servants in various worldly offices from the vine of your family. Among them, you, Hierarch Gregory, shone like the morning star in the righteous Church through the holiness of your life, defending the true faith and singing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Since Christ raised natural companionship, through the mystery of marriage, to the light of holiness and divine grace, according to God’s order, you, blessed Gregory, honored the true Christian family in your marriage to Theosebia, the adornment of the Church. Therefore, we praise you, saying:
Rejoice, honorer of the family founded on the rock of Christ;
Rejoice, you who sanctified holy companionship through a pure life;
Rejoice, example of holiness for Christian families;
Rejoice, true companionship through Christ in His Church;
Rejoice, you who lived a righteous life in marriage;
Rejoice, you who sought sobriety and dispassion;
Rejoice, you who were full of spiritual purity;
Rejoice, you who were called the Father of Fathers;
Rejoice, you who kept your mind free from passions;
Rejoice, you who penetrated the depths of the Spirit;
Rejoice, thought that pierces the heights of heaven;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 3
Following the teaching of the divine Paul, who says, “Test the spirits so that you may not fall into deception,” you have descended, wise hierarch, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to interpret the Holy Scriptures in places that are difficult to understand, drawing from their depths the right teaching, which, by following it, we remain steadfast on the path of salvation, glorifying God in the Trinity and singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Taking light from the light of Christ, Holy Gregory, you dispelled the darkness of heresies and established the true faith. Therefore, the light of your teachings has remained most useful to all sides of Christianity; for those who fulfill your wise words rejoice spiritually, singing to you such things as these:
Rejoice, enlightener of the world and teacher of the Church
Rejoice, gentle shepherd, who found the lost sheep;
Rejoice, bearer of Christ’s light in the darkness of this world;
Rejoice, defender of the true faith and fulfiller of virtues;
Rejoice, rebuker of heretics and preacher of truth;
Rejoice, father of the faith that works through love;
Rejoice, fighter against those who corrupt the saving truth;
Rejoice, guide and supporter of the humble and pure of heart;
Rejoice, guide of the faithful on the path to salvation;
Rejoice, healer of illnesses caused by sins;
Rejoice, hierarch full of piety and spiritual joy;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 4
Just as the faithful of Nyssa, whom you shepherded, had you as the pillar and unshakeable anchor of the Church, so now, after your departure to the eternal abodes, Christians everywhere have gained you, Holy Father, as their tireless defender and fervent intercessor. For this reason, they have remained steadfast in the true faith, singing to God from generation to generation: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
Leaving behind the vain philosophy of this passing world, you were called to serve Christ, reaching the true philosophy, which is to think about death and the eternal Kingdom. This gave you wings, Saint Gregory, to rise to the height of contemplation of God, and to us, inspiration to sing to you:
Rejoice, you who, like Paul, considered the wisdom of this world to be foolishness;
Rejoice, most wise rhetorician and humble philosopher;
Rejoice, you who are armed with thoughts of death and eternal life;
Rejoice, for you have attained the piety of the fathers of old;
Rejoice, joy of your relatives in holiness;
Rejoice, logos heard in Cappadocia and throughout Christendom;
Rejoice, you who led the souls of your flock to the Kingdom above;
Rejoice, you who interpreted the Scriptures for all to understand;
Rejoice, spring from which spiritual honey flows;
Rejoice, bringer of peace from the peace of Christ;
Rejoice, soul filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 5
The temporary separation from your sister brought sadness to your soul, but knowing her struggles and seeing the end of her life, you received comfort from God, Father, theologizing her virtues and, giving glory to God, Who received her soul, you sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
You spent your life in the space of Trinitarian love, hierarch of Christ, for by theologizing before heretics and pagans the worship of God, One in essence and three in Persons, you received, through the Holy Spirit, the gift of clairvoyance and high thinking, for which we, marveling at your deeds and teachings, sing:
Rejoice, worshipper and glorifier of the Triune God;
Rejoice, voice that speaks divine truths;
Rejoice, mind enlightened by the mind of Christ;
Rejoice, bearer of the torch of truth in the darkness of this world;
Rejoice, mind that has been exalted through knowledge of God;
Rejoice, pillar of fire set before the faithful;
Rejoice, interpreter of the prayer left to us by Christ;
Rejoice, singer who sings the praises of God;
Rejoice, blessed one, who has made the pure of heart happy;
Rejoice, plowman of the field of the pagan world and sower of the word of life;
Rejoice, guide of the faithful on the path to salvation;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 6
With Basil the Great, the enlightener of Cappadocia, and Peter of Sebaste, together with the pious Macrina, a spiritual example for your family, Holy Hierarch Gregory, you have enlightened the whole world, which marvels at your wisdom, singing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
A trinity of holy hierarchs came forth from your blessed family to praise the Trinity of one essence and indivisible. But you, Father Gregory, were chosen especially to theologize the revelations of the thrice-bright Godhead, for which we praise you, saying:
Rejoice, glorifier of the indivisible Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, skilled theologian, who established the truth about the Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, mind enlightened by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, heart bathed in the love of the Trinity;
Rejoice, mouth watered from the spring of the Most Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, dwelling place sanctified by the divine grace of the Trinity;
Rejoice, confessor of the Trinitarian truth revealed to the world;
Rejoice, preacher of the one God in the Trinity praised;
Rejoice, treasury of the goodness of the Holy Trinity among the people of the earth;
Rejoice, guide of Christians on the path that leads to the encounter with the Triune God;
Rejoice, worshipper of God-Love, glorified in three Hypostases;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble high priest of Christ!
Kontakion 7
You did not bury the gifts received from God like an unworthy servant, but you showed them and multiplied them in the world; for this reason, the faithful of the righteous Church, seeing your good deeds and partaking of your teachings, hierarch, glorified the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity of one essence and indivisible, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Our God, worshipped in three Hypostases, calls each one by name to enter into His love. You too, Holy Gregory, were called to dwell in His love, together with those who share your name, who throughout the ages have been chosen to sing the praises of the Most Holy Trinity. Come, then, lovers of saints, let us honor the great Gregory of Nyssa, as a father who loved Christ and was in communion with those who share his name, saying:
Rejoice, Father Gregory, enlightener of Nyssa and all Cappadocia;
Rejoice, co-worker in the Lord’s vineyard with Gregory the Theologian;
Rejoice, you who left in writing the life of Saint Gregory the Wonderworker;
Rejoice, zealous and prayerful, like Saint Gregory the Illuminator;
Rejoice, co-inhabitant of the heavenly dwellings with Saint Gregory the Decapolite;
Rejoice, celebrant of the heavenly liturgy with Saint Gregory the Dialogist;
Rejoice, supplicant of the Holy Trinity, together with Saint Gregory the Sinaite;
Rejoice, seer of the Taboric Light with Saint Gregory Palamas;
Rejoice, teacher and confessor of the true faith, like Saint Gregory the Teacher;
Rejoice, first among the fathers named Gregory;
Rejoice, for your name is written with the others in the book of grace;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 8
Guarding the faith and preaching Christ as One of the Trinity of one essence, walking the path of this world, when the Good God willed it, He called you, Gregory, to share in the eternal blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven, where together with the angels you sing unceasingly: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Your whole life, Holy Hierarch Gregory, was a ceaseless spiritual ascent, from glory to glory, toward likeness to God and knowledge of the mysteries that awaken in souls the hope of salvation. Since you, Father, dwell in the Kingdom of Heaven, now Christ, whom you loved, clearly reveals to you what you hoped for in this world. And because you speak with Him face to face, we who are on earth sing to you:
Rejoice, Holy Gregory, Archbishop of Nyssa, glorified by Christ;
Rejoice, you who transformed the time of your life into a time of deification;
Rejoice, you who were in a constant state of sacrifice for the salvation of the soul;
Rejoice, you who dwell with the saints in the love of God;
Rejoice, you who commune in the heavenly Liturgy with the eternal High Priest;
Rejoice, you who remember in the heavenly dwelling those who honor your name on earth;
Rejoice, you who delight in the eternal life you have always desired;
Rejoice, for your inner eyes now see the unspeakable beauties of Heaven;
Rejoice, you who are sweetened by the good things hoped for in earthly life;
Rejoice, for what you have taught has been fulfilled in heaven;
Rejoice, you who have left your holy relics, full of divine grace, on earth;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 9
Your pastoral work and divine teachings have spread throughout Christendom, Saint Gregory. Therefore, we honor you as a great teacher of the world and hierarch, and, bowing down before your relics, we thank God, Who has glorified you, and we sing to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
When the peace of the Church was disturbed by the false teachings of heretics, you, holy father, showed yourself to be the peacemaker and protector of the faithful, but also the rod of God that drives away from the land of true Christians the sowers of the enemy’s tares. For your courage and teaching, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Church praises you, saying:
Rejoice, you who preserved intact the shirt of Christ, unsewn by human hands;
Rejoice, you who confronted Macedonius, the blasphemer of God;
Rejoice, you who drove away Eunomius and defamed his teaching;
Rejoice, you who uprooted the evil teaching of the Arians;
Rejoice, you who put to shame Sabellius, the evil believer;
Rejoice, for you rebuked the heretic Apollinaris;
Rejoice, for you rebuked the haughty Emperor Valens;
Rejoice, you who calmed the storms that raged against the Church;
Rejoice, peacemaker of the Churches of Palestine and Arabia;
Rejoice, confessor of the true faith and its practitioner;
Rejoice, ladder of salvation for Orthodox believers;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 10
Always meditating on the inscrutable mysteries of the Holy Trinity, it was revealed to you, great Gregory, that with God, will is equal to power and knowledge. Therefore, you taught us how to distinguish the spirits of this world’s knowledge from the spirit of Scripture, full of wisdom, which makes us believe and confess Him who is the source of knowledge and salvation for those who sing without ceasing: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
Your writings, inspired by the Holy Spirit, have established all Christians of the Church of Christ in the true faith, removing heresies and divisions among them. From these, we too drink today the teaching about God worshipped in Three Persons and all the counsel necessary for the salvation of souls. For this, with gratitude, we sing to you thus:
Rejoice, skilled teacher imbued with the light of the Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, guardian of revealed truth and fulfiller of divine commandments;
Rejoice, sea of wisdom through which you have dispelled heresies;
Rejoice, spring sanctified by Christ from which spiritual honey flows;
Rejoice, treasury in which the treasure of truth is kept;
Rejoice, shining beacon that illuminates the path of salvation;
Rejoice, steward of the talents received from God;
Rejoice, theologian of humble mind who desired Christ;
Rejoice, dawn that covers the Christian lands;
Rejoice, messenger of Christ who brings heavenly peace to earth;
Rejoice, the shelter under which the faithful take refuge;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, the humble high priest of Christ!
Kontakion 11
You, Father, have shown us that we can never know what God is in His being, but we can rise, through faith and virtue, on the steps of perfection until we unite with Him in the love of Christ, where we will see face to face the One we have desired and where we will spend eternity with the saints and all the heavenly powers, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
You are like Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, in wisdom; for like him, Father, you were sent by God to preach to the world the One who is unspeakable, incomprehensible, unseen, and beyond the created universe, but Who is seen spiritually by the humble and pure of heart. Showing us an example of this life in God, Holy Hierarch Gregory, we praise you, saying:
Rejoice, holy chamber in which Christ dwells;
Rejoice, window through which light comes to us from heaven;
Rejoice, divine lily planted in the garden of paradise;
Rejoice, branch that has not separated from the vine of Christ;
Rejoice, vessel of the Holy Spirit in which the water of life is preserved;
Rejoice, lamp ever burning in the heavenly places;
Rejoice, unceasing searcher of the depths of the Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, bearer of our prayers to God;
Rejoice, image beautified by virtues in which Christ rests;
Rejoice, hand through which God sends us heavenly gifts;
Rejoice, interpreter of the Song of Songs and singer of God’s praises;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 12
You have attained the Kingdom of Heaven from God, Holy Hierarch Gregory, after having fulfilled the virtues throughout your earthly life. Pray for us, our Father, that through our repentance, God may cleanse our souls of passions and enlighten our minds to know the divine truth and walk the path of salvation toward eternal life, where with all the saints and heavenly hosts we may sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
From the reliquary of your holy remains, Gregory, light of the world, spring forth healings and every spiritual benefit to those who honor your name and commemorate you with holy love. God, Who has glorified you, receives the incense of your prayers at His most high throne, and sends us, through you, strength and grace to fight against the temptations of this age and to sing to you thus:
Rejoice, you who have left us your relics filled with divine fragrance;
Rejoice, you who bless the place that houses your holy relics;
Rejoice, healer of incurable diseases for those who honor you with faith;
Rejoice, protector of young married couples who worship your holy relics;
Rejoice, the unmercenary helper of parents who bear children;
Rejoice, the supporter of marriages founded on the rock of Christ;
Rejoice, the extended hand of God who blesses the family;
Rejoice, the voice through which God speaks to young married couples;
Rejoice, dwelling place that shelters afflicted families;
Rejoice, spring from which young seekers of wisdom drink;
Rejoice, guide of those who desire to reach the eternal Kingdom;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 13
O Holy Hierarch Gregory, bishop of Christ, humble shepherd of the city of Nyssa, spiritual teacher of the world, pray before God, praised in the Trinity, for us who celebrate your holy memory, that He may cleanse us from our spiritual and bodily sins and enlighten our minds to remain in the true faith, ascending the steps of the spiritual ladder to the eternal Kingdom, where the saints and angels sing without ceasing: Alleluia!
This Kontakion is said 3 times.
Ikos 1
Let us honor the enlightened archpastor and first among the hierarchs of Nyssa, Saint Gregory, brother in the flesh and similar in deeds to the Great Basil, as befits a friend and household member of God, saying to him thus:
Rejoice, offspring of a blessed lineage;
Rejoice, praise of your wonderful parents, worshippers of God;
Rejoice, joy of your father, blessed Basil;
Rejoice, fulfillment of the prayer of your mother, the pious Emilia;
Rejoice, brother of Saint Basil, whom you called “your father and teacher”;
Rejoice, follower and fulfiller of the pious advice of your sister Macrina;
Rejoice with Peter, your other brother and bishop of Sebaste;
Rejoice with Naugratius, your hard-working mentor and guide;
Rejoice, friend of the saints who came from your family;
Rejoice, you who completed the group of holy hierarchs;
Rejoice, fellow inhabitant of heaven with all the saints of God;
Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Kontakion 1
You who were enlightened by the Holy Spirit, Holy Hierarch Gregory, you showed yourself to the world as a worthy shepherd, whose inner eye saw the works of God, and with the staff of wisdom you drove away, blessed one, the enemies of the Church of Christ, protecting your flock from heresies; therefore, with love and faith, we sing to you: Rejoice, Father Gregory, humble bishop of Christ!
Prayer to Saint Gregory of Nyssa
Holy Hierarch Gregory, good shepherd of the city of Nyssa, enlightener of Christians, teacher of the Church of Christ, wise preacher of the true faith, skilled theologian of truth, light shining from the light of Christ, who dispelled the darkness of heresies, apostle sent by God into the world to seek the lost sheep in the mountains of lawlessness; you who theologized the truth about the Holy Trinity, God in one essence and three Persons, wise interpreter of the Holy Scriptures, mind enlightened by the Holy Spirit who penetrated the depths of the divine mysteries, Father of the ancient Fathers, who was placed in the unwaning light of the kingdom of heaven; you who, by God’s will, left us your holy relics filled with divine fragrance for our comfort, hear us at this hour, we who honor your name and desire to drink from the inexhaustible spring of your wisdom. Heal the hard-to-heal wounds of a world fallen into sin and lawlessness, heal the bodily and spiritual illnesses of those who worship your holy icon and honor your holy relics with love. Give to each one, from the treasury of goodness you have received from God, what is necessary: to children, easy growth; to young people, the ability to learn from the wealth of knowledge the right and useful teachings, to monks, humility and patience, to priests, obedience and zeal for the house of God, to hierarchs, wisdom and right judgment in shepherding the faithful on the path to salvation. Send from God upon the lands where the name of the Most Holy Trinity, worshipped in Three Persons, is glorified, heavenly blessing and peace, and help the righteous Christians to remain united with the Mystical Body of Christ the Savior. Strengthen, through the power of the Holy Spirit, all the sons and daughters of our Church to keep the lamp of faith burning in their souls, not to lose hope in salvation, and to remain in the love of Christ until the end. Defend, Holy Hierarch, those who are helpless; give healing to the sick, food and shelter to the poor and afflicted; strengthen their marriages, help the elderly and infirm, give the rulers of nations and those in high office sound judgment and good thoughts for the Church of Christ. Guide us all on the path that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven, where we will rejoice with you in eternal blessings, glorifying the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity of one essence and indivisible, forever and ever. Amen.
Then the dismissal is made: For the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
N.B. Akathist composed by His Grace Ioachim Bacauanul, Vicar Bishop of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău, based on a text by Archimandrite Clement Haralam of the Prodrom Skete, Mount Athos. The text was revised by His Grace Ciprian CĂ¢mpineanul, Patriarchal Vicar Bishop.
 Source: https://pravila.ro/acatistul-sfantului-grigorie-de-nyssa/
 SAINT GREGORY OF NYSSA’S VISION OF THE HOLY 40 MARTYRS OF SEBASTE
 Gregory of Nyssa did not enjoy the benefit of infant Baptism, and remained for many years unbaptized, according to the custom of the time. It is unclear whether he delayed it himself, or it was delayed for him. Gregory was first moved to make a public avowal and receive Holy Baptism due to an extraordinary vision in which he was made to take part. While his mother Emmelia was at her sacred retreat at Annesi, she implored her son to attend a service commemorating the Holy Forty Martyrs. At his mother’s behest he went, though reluctantly; for he had been studying in Caesarea, and felt incommoded that he should have to leave his studies at such an inconvenient time. The journey to the retreat proved tiring to him, and the length of time for the divine office was protracted. The vigil was already well into the night, and Gregory found himself physically unable to remain on his feet. He withdrew to the garden, where he was overtaken by sleep. He beheld a vision of the very Forty Martyrs. They reproved him for his lack of zeal, and started to strike him with rods. Only through the efforts of one of the warrior Martyrs did he escape the thrashing. Straightway, Gregory was roused from his slumber. Filled with remorse at his past laxity, he was resolved to change his ways. He begged God and the Martyrs for mercy and forgiveness. Still struck with the effect the vision laid upon his tender conscience, he was inspired to accept the rank of Reader in the Church. This acceptance meant a public profession of the Faith. Saint Gregory assumed the duties of that position for a short time, but could not dedicate himself exclusively to it. He then turned to the profession of a rhetorician or advocate. His retirement from his duties as a Reader led to a reprimand from his elder brother Basil (the Great) and his good friend Gregory (the Theologian).
 Saint Gregory the Theologian chided him in a letter, which moved the young man to remorse. He frankly told him, “Why should you not hear from me what all men are saying in whispers? They do not approve your inglorious glory … and your gradual descent to the lower life, and your ambition …. For what has happened to you, O wisest of men? And for what do you condemn yourself, that you have cast away the sacred and delightful books which you were reading to the people … and applied yourself to bitter ones, and preferred to be called a Professor of Rhetoric rather than of Christianity? … Though it is full late, become sober again, and come to yourself once more, and make your apology to the faithful, and to God, and to His altars and Mysteries, from which you have taken yourself away …. What of the offense given to others by your present employment? …. For a man lives not for himself alone but also for his neighbor …. I shall be grieved–to speak gently–if you do not see what is right, nor follow the advice of others…. Forgive that my friendship for you makes me grieve.”*Gregory’s sister Macrina, after much prayer and persuasion, prevailed upon Gregory to leave his secular concerns and the law court, and devote himself entirely to asceticism. Gregory removed himself to his brother’s retreat in Pontos, which was in the same neighborhood as the convent of his mother and sister. Gregory stayed in that monastic foundation for several years, hallowing his time with the study of sacred Scriptures and holy writings.
Saint Gregory (the Theologian), “Epistles 1, To Saint Gregory of Nyssa.” Nicene, 2nd Ser., VII-459.
Source: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2016/01/st-gregory-of-nyssas-vision-of-holy.html
