For all Akathists published on our site, click here. This Akathist was translated by Maxim, who kindly asks all Orthodox Christians to keep him in their prayers for his repentance. Original source at the bottom. Explore more prayer: Akathists to Martyrs, National and Modern Martyrs, Romanian Orthodox Heritage
Feast Day: 18 September
Kontakion 1
To the most worthy shepherd of the Church, the illuminator of Crișana and Banat, the confessor of divine truth, Saint Ilarion, the teacher who called for repentance, come, believers, let us praise him, for he has shown himself to be the dwelling place of the unwaning light, and let us sing to him: Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Ikos 1
You were chosen by God to serve Him from childhood, for, seeing the example of your father, you were filled with a longing for divine service; and, choosing the eternal over the temporal, the grace of God strengthened you at all times; for this reason, marveling at your life, we say to you:
Rejoice, you who were faithful from childhood;
Rejoice, for you have shown yourself to be a chosen servant of Christ;
Rejoice, you who followed your father’s example;
Rejoice, you who carried Jesus in your heart;
Rejoice, you who also learned the virtues of your mother;
Rejoice, you who walked the path together with your brothers;
Rejoice, for your life was revealed as another Tabor;
Rejoice, you who dwell with the holy angels;
Rejoice, you who fled from worldly things;
Rejoice, you who loved life in the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, offspring of the Romanian land;
Rejoice, guide to the heavenly Zion;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 2
You joyfully submitted to your parents’ will, following the path of the priesthood and theology, through which, enriched with wise teachings, you advanced toward the holiness of God, for whom, together with the angels, you sang to the Most Holy Trinity: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Seeking the wisdom of this world, you gathered all the knowledge of your time, viewing it through the eyes of faith; and, going beyond philosophical concepts with your mind, you bore witness to God’s will and works in the world. For this reason, filled with wonder, we sing to you words such as these:
Rejoice, revealer of heavenly things;
Rejoice, seeker of divine Wisdom;
Rejoice, you who, through the word, have testified to the Word;
Rejoice, you who have shown yourself skilled in the matters of theology;
Rejoice, you who drew near to the wisdom of the Holy Fathers;
Rejoice, you who, through sweet words, taught many;
Rejoice, priest who, by your blessing, bestows joy;
Rejoice, heavenly river, which drowns vain philosophy;
Rejoice, sword that cuts through doubts of the faith;
Rejoice, shield that guards the paths of victory;
Rejoice, towering tower of heavenly vision;
Rejoice, you who rejoice in the Church above;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 3
Taking the name of the Venerable Hilarion the New, who suffered for the holy icons, you too endured the fire of martyrdom out of love for the Lord Jesus. Therefore, together with you we sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Planting the Gospel of Christ in your heart, you took up the yoke of the priesthood and dedicated your entire life to this ministry, bearing witness as is fitting to the living Jesus, the Lord of all, for which you hear these words from us:
Rejoice, you who have worthily received the priceless grace of the priesthood;
Rejoice, you who have armed yourself with the power of the Cross for martyrdom;
Rejoice, enlightened guide on the path of salvation;
Rejoice, radiant ray on the path to perfection;
Rejoice, you who beheld the priesthood in the light of Tabor;
Rejoice, you who made yourself known in the land of Crișana;
Rejoice, brilliant shepherd of the city of Arad;
Rejoice, defender of Romanian Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, trumpet of divine teachings;
Rejoice, unshakable pillar of the ancestral law;
Rejoice, guide along the paths of truth;
Rejoice, our deliverer from the wiles of evil;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 4
With the divine fire burning in your heart, you showed that “the sacrifice and suffering of Christ are the source of our sacrifice and suffering,” and that whoever “drinks the cup of bitter suffering” is purified and sanctified. Therefore, understanding this, we humbly sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
Your thoughts were always on God, revealing yourself to be “faithful to the truth through love”; for this reason, you fought tirelessly and showed everyone love sanctified through suffering, and we, marveling at such a mystery, cry out with faith:
Rejoice, fearless follower of the Savior;
Rejoice, faithful servant of the truth;
Rejoice, spiritual fragrance of a pure life;
Rejoice, breath of the most exalted love;
Rejoice, mind enlightened by grace;
Rejoice, you who received theological insight as a gift;
Rejoice, illuminator of the eyes of the soul;
Rejoice, wondrous chalice of the heavenly mysteries;
Rejoice, you who proclaimed “the mystery of faith in the heart of the world”;
Rejoice, you who have beheld all things in the light of Christ;
Rejoice, Father who embodies Christ;
Rejoice, you who behold the glory of the Most Holy Trinity in heaven;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 5
Receiving the grace of the priesthood and dispelling errors, you took upon yourself the sorrows and joys of your flock, revealing to them the new life in Christ; and, serving in love and sharing in their sufferings, you sang to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Following the love of Christ, you built a holy sanctuary for Him with great toil and diligence, strengthening your faithful and overcoming the wiles of the evil one and the temptations of this age; and we, seeing this wonderful work of God’s grace in you, praise you, saying thus:
Rejoice, you who built a beautiful church on earth;
Rejoice, you who were received into the Church in heaven;
Rejoice, you who cared for human souls;
Rejoice, you who shone like a light in this age;
Rejoice, zealous minister of the Mysteries and father;
Rejoice, worthy celebrant of the Most Holy Sacrifice;
Rejoice, you who, through your ministry and your words, have guided the faithful;
Rejoice, you who were, as was your duty, honored by them;
Rejoice, helper of the poor;
Rejoice, comforter of the needy;
Rejoice, you who preached Christ in the city;
Rejoice, you who taught everyone without distinction;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 6
Resisting the vain teachings of this world, you proved yourself a guide and friend to the young, revealing to them the word of truth; yet you did not overlook the little ones either, supporting them with the necessities of life, and you taught them all to sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Your ministry, Holy Father Ilarion, was a ceaseless sacrifice and labor, through which you strengthened faith in God and a virtuous life in the hearts of the faithful, guiding them along the paths of salvation and revealing to them the wondrous work of divine grace, for which they cried out to you:
Rejoice, preacher of the divine word;
Rejoice, spiritual guide of the young;
Rejoice, most beloved shepherd;
Rejoice, skilled teacher;
Rejoice, protector of widows;
Rejoice, herald of the Gospel;
Rejoice, you who fought against the passions;
Rejoice, you who set sinners aright;
Rejoice, honorer of the monks;
Rejoice, enlightener of the laity;
Rejoice, you who called the grace of God “light and power”;
Rejoice, you who followed Christ, through the cross, to the resurrection;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 7
Your mind, Father, was enlightened by the rays of the Holy Spirit, revealing you to be a profound thinker in theology, an interpreter of Scripture, a teacher of the dogmas of Orthodoxy, a follower of the great Fathers of the Church, a minister of the Holy Mysteries, and one who lived a life in God. Therefore, marveling at the immeasurable depth of your holiness, we sing to Christ, the One who strengthened you: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Marvelous is your way of life, Father, and marvelous is your teaching, for you have wonderfully united the professor’s chair with the pulpit, causing the work of the virtues to flourish in the hearts of those who listened to you; and, preaching Christ among the people, you hear these words from all:
Rejoice, luminous treasury of God’s word;
Rejoice, you who strengthen us through the loftiness of your mind;
Rejoice, reflection of the incorporeal light;
Rejoice, unfading flower of the mysterious work;
Rejoice, olive tree full of spiritual fruit;
Rejoice, interpreter of spiritual mysteries;
Rejoice, pinnacle of theological discourse;
Rejoice, dispeller of despair;
Rejoice, teacher of heavenly dogmas;
Rejoice, defender of the apostolic traditions;
Rejoice, guide to repentance;
Rejoice, heir to the promise;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 8
We do not know what to praise more, Father: your priestly worthiness or your teaching, for in both you have shown yourself zealous, perfecting your teaching through your ministry, and through your teaching showing the way to perfection. For this, we praise you, and to God we sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
You were an enlightened preacher of Orthodoxy, showing that this is the path to salvation and that it encompasses and perfects all human thought; you set Christ as the beginning of our salvation, and you bore witness to the experience of the Kingdom of God even in this world, for which we sing to you:
Rejoice, fountain of true teaching;
Rejoice, model of the theologian in the city;
Rejoice, you who taught us to flee the vain life of the rich;
Rejoice, father to every orphan and benefactor of the poor;
Rejoice, you who have shown us the example of life like the Good Samaritan;
Rejoice, you who have established the Gospel and the Church in the midst of the world;
Rejoice, you who called Christ the true Teacher;
Rejoice, for you triumphed over vain teachings;
Rejoice, you who entered the sheepfold only through the gate of the sheep;
Rejoice, you who led your flock to the pasture of the Scriptures;
Rejoice, fearless preacher of the Gospel;
Rejoice, swift helper of those who call upon you;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 9
The priesthood and theology were united in you, Father, and, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, you showed that theology is “penetrating with the mind, feeling with the heart, and living with our lives in God.” For this reason, you appeared among your disciples as a pillar of fire in the darkness, enlightening their minds and teaching them to sing to the Most Holy Trinity: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
As a zealous advocate and defender of the tradition of the Holy Fathers, you taught that the Lives of the Saints reveal “the work of the Trinity in man,” that this is “the book of examples,” and that the saints are those who unite “the created with the uncreated, heaven and earth”; for this reason, humbly praising you, we say to you:
Rejoice, interpreter of the Divine Liturgy;
Rejoice, lover of the priceless Philokalia;
Rejoice, guide on the path to the heavenly Kingdom;
Rejoice, steward of the Divine Eucharist;
Rejoice, renewer of theology;
Rejoice, defender of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, you who ascended to the heavenly Mount Tabor;
Rejoice, you who followed the teachings of Dionysius the Areopagite;
Rejoice, you who guided your disciples toward the cloud of the knowledge of God;
Rejoice, you who preached the teachings of the Apostle Paul;
Rejoice, spiritual nourishment of those who seek you;
Rejoice, fragrant garden of those who praise you;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 10
Holy was your life, Father Ilarion, and your life proved to be a Golgotha of witness, for, fearing not the rulers of this world, you proved yourself an invincible soldier of the heavenly King, for Whom you even gave your life, singing to Him with a loud voice: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
Knowing in advance that you would suffer for Christ, you fulfilled your holy calling in every way, standing boldly before your tormentors and climbing the steps of suffering all the way to the prison of Aiud, where you bore witness to the love of the Most Holy Trinity; for this we greet you with these praises:
Rejoice, you whose prophecy was fulfilled;
Rejoice, you who bore witness to Christ in prison;
Rejoice, for your entire life was lived under the sign of the Cross;
Rejoice, you who, like the Lord, ascended Golgotha of witness;
Rejoice, you who have secured for yourself a beautiful crown in heaven;
Rejoice, you who, while sitting in prison, did not lose heart;
Rejoice, you who proved yourself as strong as a diamond;
Rejoice, you who, while imprisoned, prayed unceasingly;
Rejoice, for those imprisoned with you honored you;
Rejoice, for you counted this world and its pleasures as nothing;
Rejoice, for you chose nothing on earth except God;
Rejoice, for you were of one mind with the holy martyrs;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 11
You were steadfast and unshakable in your suffering, for through faith and asceticism, while still in the flesh, you set an example of patience, humility, and hope in God for those imprisoned with you, to Whom you sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Walking the path of the true faith confessed at Baptism and fulfilling to the end the vow of your ordination, you did not renounce Christ; and just as in the world, so too in prison, you bore witness to the faith of the Church. For this, the Lord has deemed you worthy of the crown of martyrdom, and we weave crowns for you from the flowers of hymns, saying:
Rejoice, you who made the prison a pulpit;
Rejoice, you who looked beyond the glory of the world;
Rejoice, you who were imprisoned four times;
Rejoice, for at your passing, your fellow sufferers kept vigil for two evenings;
Rejoice, for your body was carried in a cart;
Rejoice, for all the prisoners sang your funeral dirge;
Rejoice, you who passed through three prison gates with your body;
Rejoice, you who, with your soul, traversed the heavens unhindered;
Rejoice, for your heart was pierced by a sharp iron bar;
Rejoice, for your mind was never clouded by passions;
Rejoice, for they buried you without a cross at your head;
Rejoice, for the angels in heaven sang your praises;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 12
God, revealing the holiness of your life and your wondrous ministry, has set you before the Church as a model of a spiritual shepherd and theologian; and through your teaching and the example of your witness, He has bestowed you upon the world as a treasure of great value in times of great trial. For this reason, marveling at the ineffable and divine providence, we sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Reflecting on your life, conduct, and teachings, O wondrous Father, we, your children, praise you for having shown yourself to be a shepherd and a confessor; and now, as one who stands before the Trinity, fill us with divine joy, that we may offer you these praises:
Rejoice, most wonderful shepherd;
Rejoice, most enlightened theologian;
Rejoice, intercessor with the people on earth;
Rejoice, dweller with the martyrs in heaven;
Rejoice, sun that brings radiance to the theology of Arad;
Rejoice, bright star of the Criș region;
Rejoice, shining morning star of the city of Arad;
Rejoice, strengthening pillar of our Church;
Rejoice, you who, through suffering, completed your journey;
Rejoice, for all the saints in heaven have received you with great honor;
Rejoice, spiritual delight of our minds;
Rejoice, blessing of our souls;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 13
O Holy Father Ilarion, having now received this gift, be our intercessor before the throne of God, so that, delivering us from eternal torment and making us heirs to the eternal Kingdom, we may sing together with you to the Most Holy Trinity: Alleluia!
This kontakion is sung three times.
Ikos 1
You were chosen by God to serve Him from childhood, for, seeing the example of your father, you were filled with a longing for divine service; and, choosing the eternal over the temporal, the grace of God strengthened you at all times; for this reason, marveling at your life, we say to you:
Rejoice, you who were faithful from childhood;
Rejoice, for you have shown yourself to be a chosen servant of Christ;
Rejoice, you who followed your father’s example;
Rejoice, you who carried Jesus in your heart;
Rejoice, you who also learned the virtues of your mother;
Rejoice, you who walked the path together with your brothers;
Rejoice, for your life was revealed as another Tabor;
Rejoice, you who dwell with the holy angels;
Rejoice, you who fled from worldly things;
Rejoice, you who loved life in the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, offspring of the Romanian land;
Rejoice, guide to the heavenly Zion;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Kontakion 1
To the most worthy shepherd of the Church, the illuminator of Crișana and Banat, the confessor of divine truth, Saint Ilarion, the teacher who called for repentance, come, believers, let us praise him, for he has shown himself to be the dwelling place of the unwaning light, and let us sing to him: Rejoice, Holy Father Ilarion, confessor of Christ!
Prayer
O Holy and All-Praised Father Ilarion, we honor you with humility and devotion, offering you a tribute of praise—you who have shown yourself to be a man of great suffering and a chosen witness to Christ, and a powerful intercessor and helper to those who honor you. Hear, O Saint, our petitions, and, as a shepherd and father, protect the city of Arad, the lands of Crișana and Banat, our country, and us, your servants, from all evil, from all diseases and life-threatening wounds; cover us and defend us from all evil, guiding us along the path of God’s commandments. Intercede for the teachers, pupils, and students who are learning the mysteries of theology, and strengthen them all, through the grace of your prayers, so that they may gain the power to understand the divine teachings. Ask the Creator of all to grant us a peaceful and sinless life, so that we may live righteously in this age, be delivered from the left hand, and at His fearful Second Coming, may He make us partakers of the right hand, together with all the angels and saints, praising the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
Source: https://doxologia.ro/acatistul-sfantului-preot-mucenic-ilarion-felea
Saint Ilarion Felea’s Book “Towards Tabor”:
More Info About Saint Ilarion Felea in English: https://fericiticeiprigoniti.net/en/ilarion-felea-en/
