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: Romanian Orthodox Heritage, Akathists to Church Fathers and Confessors
Canonized as “Holy Confessor Priest”
Feast Day: 22 July
Troparion, Tone 8
O long-suffering and God-bearing Father Ilie, you have quenched the blaze of your labors with the fire of God, putting the enemies to shame. For this reason, Father, clothed in the robe of Christ, ask Him to save our souls.
Kontakion 1
Come, lovers of the martyrs, let us praise Saint Ilie the Confessor, who, through his sufferings, received from God the crown of victory; for, loving the Church of Christ and the Romanian people, he chose the narrow and torturous path, standing fearlessly before the enemies of the true faith. For this, let us sing to him: Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Ikos 1
To you we run, O Saint, in times of trial, placing our hope in your intercessions; we know that you have miraculously called many to your holy relics; we have heard of the woman whom, in a dream, you urged: “Come to me and pray whenever you need help!” Therefore, we believe that you can help us as well, for your love pours out upon all who pray to you with faith, and so we say to you:
Rejoice, blessing of the Romanian land;
Rejoice, haven of the faithful and heavenly gift;
Rejoice, ark of virtues, adorned by the eternal Father;
Rejoice, you who, through sacrifice, have proven your love for the holy things;
Rejoice, tireless guardian of those who profess the true faith;
Rejoice, from whom we learn humility and true meekness;
Rejoice, you who, fleeing the glory of the world, found God;
Rejoice, you who prayed ceaselessly for the Romanian people;
Rejoice, treasure who enriches the faithful;
Rejoice, you who set aright those who stray onto wrong paths;
Rejoice, you who call to yourself those in need of help;
Rejoice, swift protector of those who pray to you;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 2
From your youth you served Christ, becoming an icon of prayer, humility, and self-sacrifice; and you have set an example for us, who are enslaved by our passions and weak in faith; therefore, we pray that you will not cease to intercede with God for our correction and salvation, so that we may sing to Him with a pure heart: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Seeing your zeal for holy things, God called you to serve Him, placing upon your shoulders the heavy cross of the priesthood; and you responded worthily to this call, desiring to be a shepherd of souls and a servant to your neighbor. For this, we offer you songs of praise:
Rejoice, you who had the Holy Prophet Elijah as your patron;
Rejoice, prophetic voice that rebuked the straying of the apostates;
Rejoice, offspring of the prayers of the saints of ages past;
Rejoice, you who wisely withstood the enemy’s temptations;
Rejoice, you who walked the path of virtue from childhood;
Rejoice, guardian of purity and fighter against the passions;
Rejoice, you who, living within a family, attained holiness;
Rejoice, you who humbly concealed your good deeds;
Rejoice, preacher of the Gospel and skilled spiritual father;
Rejoice, you who healed a multitude of ailing souls;
Rejoice, tireless preacher of the love of God;
Rejoice, model and chosen example for the ministers of the altar;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 3
Seeing the multitude of trials the Romanian people were enduring, you chose to burn like a candle, sparing no effort for their sake; and, together with many priests, monks, and believers, you called upon the saints and angels for help, fighting with the sword of the Word against those who blasphemed the truth and singing fearlessly: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
You feared neither suffering nor death, but carried in your soul a zeal for martyrdom; and Christ deemed you worthy to follow in the footsteps of the martyrs of old, for you were taken from among your family and the faithful you shepherded and were led, as if in bondage, to labor camps, where, through your patience and holiness, you brought comfort and courage to despairing souls; for this reason, we sing to you:
Rejoice, you who are protected by the saints who suffered in prisons;
Rejoice, you who are now received into heaven among their assembly;
Rejoice, you who, through your courage, shone in the darkness of persecution;
Rejoice, you who, in the raging storm, attained peace of mind;
Rejoice, you who remained unperturbed in the face of threats;
Rejoice, rock against which the schemes of the unbelievers were shattered;
Rejoice, you who climbed the mountain of suffering, following in the footsteps of the martyrs;
Rejoice, you who endured the mockery and contempt of your persecutors without complaint;
Rejoice, you whom your adversaries could not subdue through punishment;
Rejoice, for, following your Lord, you offered yourself like a lamb to the slaughter;
Rejoice, you who were secretly guided along the path of salvation;
Rejoice, you whom the Lord protected in every persecution;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 4
The power of your prayers was evident at Periprava, O Holy One, when you were forced to cut reeds in freezing weather, while your guards awaited your death. But you encouraged those who were suffering alongside you to place their hope in the help of the Mother of God and the Three Holy Hierarchs, who were being celebrated that day, and, having thus been delivered, you sang to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
Holy Ilie, you and those imprisoned with you were likened to the Forty Holy Martyrs, cast by their persecutors into the lake of Sebaste; but through your prayers, Father, the Lord granted them all life, just as He once did for those traveling by sea with the Apostle Paul; thus, as the light of faith shone in your heart, the physical sun also shone in the sky and warmed you all; for this, we praise you, saying:
Rejoice, for the Mother of God has protected you with her mantle;
Rejoice, for the Three Holy Hierarchs have also guarded you through their intercession;
Rejoice, for your bodies were crucified on the cross of cold;
Rejoice, for your hearts were strengthened by the grace of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, for like the Forty Holy Martyrs you have suffered;
Rejoice, for through your suffering the cunning devil has been vanquished;
Rejoice, for your persecutors were amazed by your patience;
Rejoice, for your righteousness was revealed in a wondrous way;
Rejoice, for you had the holy protectors as your fellow intercessors;
Rejoice, you who bore the burden of suffering without complaint;
Rejoice, you who, though unjustly punished by men, were blessed by the Lord;
Rejoice, for Christ the Sun comforted you with the warmth of the sun;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, luminous torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 5
Foreseeing the future, you knew in advance the day of your passing to the Lord and the year of your wife’s death; and through this, the gift you received from God even during your earthly life was made manifest, for which we rejoice and sing to Him with thanksgiving: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Who can describe the joy of those who were present at the discovery of your holy relics, Father? For your body was found untouched by the passage of time and impervious to decay, through the grace of the Holy Spirit. And through this, your holiness has been confirmed, for God has given us a sign through your fragrant relics, urging us to offer you these praises:
Rejoice, for through your relics we know you to be chosen by Christ;
Rejoice, you who bestow great benefit upon those who pray to you;
Rejoice, you who, through your incorruptible body, speak to us without words;
Rejoice, for you do not forsake those who run to you;
Rejoice, apostle of the resurrection of the dead at the end of the ages;
Rejoice, rich reward for the piety of pilgrims;
Rejoice, you who dispel doubts and strengthen the true faith;
Rejoice, spiritual strength of those in distress;
Rejoice, you who urge us to reflect on death and eternity;
Rejoice, you who bring joy to the souls of those who worship you;
Rejoice, you who, like the saints of old, spread a sweet fragrance;
Rejoice, for at your reliquary you receive a great multitude of worshippers;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 6
During your lifetime, you proved yourself a miracle-worker, O Saint, but after your repose, you multiplied your healings and wondrous deeds. And after the discovery of your holy relics, multitudes of believers came to receive your blessing, praying to you and singing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
In these times when errors are multiplying, God has revealed you as a bulwark against unbelief, for, hearing of the multitude of your miracles, many come to your holy relics and, seeing you as if you were sleeping in your reliquary, acknowledge the power of Christ, He who conquered death, and for this they praise you, saying:
Rejoice, you who have performed signs and wonders through the power of Christ;
Rejoice, you who, through dreams or visions, have called certain sick people to healing;
Rejoice, you who cause people to proclaim your countless miracles;
Rejoice, for your good deeds are praised throughout the world;
Rejoice, to whom both the elderly and the young alike turn;
Rejoice, you who drive away the temptation of despair and suicide;
Rejoice, you who ward off sudden death from us;
Rejoice, you who lighten the burden of loneliness;
Rejoice, you who wipe away the tears of those overwhelmed by grief;
Rejoice, you who are a comfort to priests and monks;
Rejoice, you whose gifts we joyfully proclaim;
Rejoice, through whom we glorify Christ our God;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 7
The sick came to you, whom the doctors could not help, leaving them prey to despair, but you proved yourself a heavenly physician and made the impossible possible; and the sick, having found healing, bore witness to the multitude of your gifts, singing to God together with their loved ones: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Every illness and every infirmity finds its cure through earnest prayers to you, Father Elijah, for God has rewarded your martyr’s sufferings with abundant grace and has revealed you as a heavenly and free physician; to whom the sick run, singing to you with hearts full of hope:
Rejoice, you who graciously bestow healing upon the suffering;
Rejoice, solace for those lying on their sickbeds;
Rejoice, you who, through your prayers, have spared many from surgery;
Rejoice, for the doctors could not understand what had happened;
Rejoice, you who made the mute young man speak;
Rejoice, for he has begun to bear witness to your miracles;
Rejoice, you who have brought joy to many sick people through healings;
Rejoice, comfort to their relatives overcome by sorrow;
Rejoice, protector of the sick and advisor to doctors;
Rejoice, you who enlighten doctors through the prayers of the sick;
Rejoice, you who have granted solace to the afflicted;
Rejoice, intercessor even for those on their deathbed;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 8
You appeared in a dream to the distressed woman and asked her to stop lamenting her lack of money, for she would have what she needed. And she, drawing strength from your words, was strengthened in faith and offered praise to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
We find ourselves in want and in troubles of many kinds, O Holy One, but we believe that you will not leave our prayer unanswered; for you have always supported the poor, and you have helped those who had no means of livelihood to find work. Therefore, we believe that, just as you helped them, you can help us as well, coming to our aid, so that we may sing to you:
Rejoice, for you feed the hungry;
Rejoice, for you have mercy on the needy;
Rejoice, you who provide for the poor;
Rejoice, you who come to the aid of the afflicted;
Rejoice, for you have helped even the homeless;
Rejoice, for they rejoiced when they received your help;
Rejoice, merciful father of orphans;
Rejoice, swift helper of widows;
Rejoice, you who have lifted many from the temptation of despair;
Rejoice, righteous judge, who has defended the truth;
Rejoice, you who encourage the despised;
Rejoice, supporter of those unjustly persecuted;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 9
Great is the sorrow of families who are childless, but we have heard that many children have been born after their parents sought your help; so, we pray, have mercy and intercede for the husbands and wives who pray to God to become parents, so that they too may sing together to the Most Holy Trinity: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
Your parents were blessed by God with seven children, and you and your wife had five children; your family was truly a little church; therefore, Christ has also given you the gift of being the protector of Christian families and of those who are preparing to walk the path of marriage toward salvation, and we sing to you:
Rejoice, intercessor for devout families;
Rejoice, you who watch over the souls of the faithful;
Rejoice, protector of righteous parents;
Rejoice, you who pray for the guidance of their children;
Rejoice, you who guide them on the path to salvation;
Rejoice, you who shield them from the world’s destructive temptations;
Rejoice, you who bring back wayward children to their parents;
Rejoice, you through whom peace replaces turmoil;
Rejoice, you whom childless parents have as their intercessor;
Rejoice, you who do not leave their prayers unanswered;
Rejoice, you who drive away the sorrow from their hearts;
Rejoice, you who reward persistent prayer;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 10
Witch-like women tried to steal a fragment of your holy relics, but, standing against their cunning, you appeared to your daughter, to whom you revealed their hidden thoughts and dispelled their wickedness; and your daughter, together with the faithful Christians, rejoiced, offering to God a song of thanksgiving: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
Many people are bitterly tormented by heavy passions, but those who come to your holy relics quickly receive help; and the demons fear the power of your prayers and are driven away from those they have possessed; therefore, we pray, Holy Father Ilie, show yourself a swift helper to those who suffer from demonic oppression and sorcery, so that those who are healed, feeling your protection, may sing with us:
Rejoice, expeller of demonic hosts;
Rejoice, you who dispel the power of spells;
Rejoice, you who have delivered the possessed;
Rejoice, for those who have been healed have given you thanks;
Rejoice, you who have heard the prayers of their loved ones;
Rejoice, you who have also received the prayers of the priests;
Rejoice, you who break the bonds of witchcraft;
Rejoice, you who deliver us from the bondage of carnal passions;
Rejoice, you who protect the people from unseen enemies;
Rejoice, you who, in times of trial, hear us and help us;
Rejoice, you who guide us along the narrow path;
Rejoice, you who quench the flames of temptations of every kind;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 11
You were sent, in times of war, to carry out your mission in the Romanian lands across the Prut River, and many souls found solace in your words. Therefore, even today we ask you, O Saint, to pray to the Lord Christ for all those who stray from the path of salvation, that, by changing their lives, they may sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Not only the children of the Church came to your holy relics, but also people led astray by various errors, yet who wished to see if your body was truly untouched by decay. Some were left speechless upon seeing your holy relics intact, and they sought to know God, Who has glorified you, and they came to the true Church, praising you together with us and saying:
Rejoice, lamp that shines in the darkness of error;
Rejoice, pillar of fire that guides through the desert of temptations;
Rejoice, trumpet of divine words;
Rejoice, lyre of heavenly songs;
Rejoice, you who swiftly expose the web of lies;
Rejoice, you who render the snares of heretics powerless;
Rejoice, you who have vanquished the false speakers;
Rejoice, you who have calmed the storm they stirred up;
Rejoice, you who have delivered those afflicted by the plague of deception;
Rejoice, you who have brought to the light those who had fallen into the darkness of perdition;
Rejoice, you who, out of love, did not leave them in error;
Rejoice, you who receive praise and thanksgiving from all;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 12
Through your death, you proved yourself a conqueror of death, as a faithful servant of the Risen One. And now you rejoice among the ranks of the saints, together with all who stood against unbelief, with the multitude of confessors, priests, monks, and laypeople, with all the new martyrs and the multitude of female martyrs, who sanctified the Romanian land through their blood and suffering, and now sing to God unceasingly: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
“No prophet is accepted in his own country,” our Savior Christ told us; therefore, those who opposed you during your lifetime continued to oppose you even after your passing to the Lord, and their descendants, seeing your wondrous deeds, are perplexed and ashamed; but we, giving thanks to you for the many blessings bestowed upon the faithful, sing to you:
Rejoice, rebuker of those who slander the true faith;
Rejoice, you who turn the proud to repentance;
Rejoice, secret guide of the devout priests;
Rejoice, model of daily life for the faithful;
Rejoice, blameless minister of the priesthood;
Rejoice, tried and tested teacher of self-sacrifice;
Rejoice, tireless teacher of Christians;
Rejoice, you who ascended step by step the ladder of virtues;
Rejoice, you who labored out of love for your neighbor;
Rejoice, you who sanctified yourself through the service of Christ;
Rejoice, you who were enlightened by the grace of God;
Rejoice, through whom the Lord Jesus has called us to Himself;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 13
O Holy Father Ilie, new Confessor of Christ, we come to you in prayer with faith, knowing that none who turn to you are left unanswered. Be our protector until the hour of our death; help us to lead a life pleasing to God, preserving us from the snares of the enemies of our salvation, so that we may sing to God, Who has glorified you, for ever and ever: Alleluia!
This kontakion is sung three times.
Ikos 1
To you we run, O Saint, in times of trial, placing our hope in your intercessions; we know that you have miraculously called many to your holy relics; we have heard of the woman whom, in a dream, you urged: “Come to me and pray whenever you need help!” Therefore, we believe that you can help us as well, for your love pours out upon all who pray to you with faith, and so we say to you:
Rejoice, blessing of the Romanian land;
Rejoice, haven of the faithful and heavenly gift;
Rejoice, ark of virtues, adorned by the eternal Father;
Rejoice, you who, through sacrifice, have proven your love for the holy things;
Rejoice, tireless guardian of those who profess the true faith;
Rejoice, from whom we learn humility and true meekness;
Rejoice, you who, fleeing the glory of the world, found God;
Rejoice, you who prayed ceaselessly for the Romanian people;
Rejoice, treasure who enriches the faithful;
Rejoice, you who set aright those who stray onto wrong paths;
Rejoice, you who call to yourself those in need of help;
Rejoice, swift protector of those who pray to you;
Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
Kontakion 1
Come, lovers of the martyrs, let us praise Saint Ilie the Confessor, who, through his sufferings, received from God the crown of victory; for, loving the Church of Christ and the Romanian people, he chose the narrow and torturous path, standing fearlessly before the enemies of the true faith. For this, let us sing to him: Rejoice, Holy Father Ilie, bright torch of the assembly of the new confessors!
PRAYER:
O Holy Father Ilie, great miracle-worker, we turn to you with hope, as to a swift helper. See the meagerness of our faith, O you who understand the weaknesses and infirmities of us all. Do not allow us to be overcome by the work of the enemy, the devil, who seeks to destroy us both spiritually and physically. From the very beginnings of the Church, many adversaries have arisen, spreading heresies that lead away from the true faith and leading astray those who are lukewarm or weak in faith. However, in recent times, their numbers have multiplied, and for this reason many people are losing their souls, running down the paths of destruction. We need your protection, O Saint, to face temptations every day. We need your intercession, O Saint, so that we may not lose God’s help. Pray to the Most Holy Trinity for the hierarchs of our Church, that they may shepherd the faithful with great faith in God and love for their flock. Pray for the priests of the Orthodox Church, that they may stand firm against unbelief and confess Christ without fear. Pray for all the families of the faithful, for parents and children. Pray, Saint Ilie, for the monks and nuns, that they may have humble obedience, asceticism, and persistent prayer, so that they may receive in abundance the works of divine grace. Thus we pray to you, who are numbered among the assembly of the new saints and confessors, that you may not forget the much-tried Romanian people in your prayers. And if we should fall, may we be quickly raised up through your prayers and support; help us, through repentance, to humble ourselves, asking the Good God to transform our lives and receive us into His heavenly Kingdom, glorifying the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
Photos of Father Ilie Lăcătușu, his wife, and his holy incorrupt relics
Source: https://doxologia.ro/acatistul-sfantului-preot-marturisitor-ilie-lacatusu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VXqpVDr1hE
A new miracle of Saint Ilie Lăcătușu: How he helped a group of nationalists
Father Ilie Lăcătușu, recently canonised by the Romanian Orthodox Church, was one of the saints of the prisons, one of the country’s finest sons, who suffered in Communist jails for God and the Romanian people. He survived the torments of imprisonment and passed away on 22 July 1983.
On 29 September 1998, 15 years after his passing into the company of the righteous, the body of Father Ilie Lăcătușu was found intact and emitting a sweet fragrance. The incorrupt body weighed 7–8 kg and was found in a condition befitting holy relics: incorrupt, fragrant, dry and light, with hazelnut-coloured skin, retaining its dimensions and appearance; looking upon it does not inspire fear, but spiritual joy, giving the impression of a man who is asleep.
Saint Ilie Lăcătușu performed miracles during his lifetime, but many more after he departed to the Lord. I would like to share one of these here, which I consider to be a miracle:
A while ago, together with a group of nationalist comrades, I took part in a public demonstration where we displayed a message referring to the demographic crisis in Romania, the large number of abortions that have taken place, and how, due to the decline in population, the state is bringing hundreds of thousands of immigrants into the country. A gay man walked past us (without us noticing him). I don’t usually judge people by their appearance, but from the look of him, he was 100 per cent the stereotype of a sodomite. Later, I found out about him and that he had taken photos and sent them to a Soros-backed NGO, which then lodged a complaint with the CNCD (National Council for Combating Discrimination) on the grounds that we were spreading hatred against women and immigrants. Utterly absurd!
It wasn’t long before I received a notice from the CNCD that I had to attend their offices. We could have been fined an enormous sum relative to our financial means, had this institution decided that the message we conveyed (which contained no abusive language or calls to harm anyone) constituted discrimination. We had no choice, and a few months later, I went to their office. This was after we’d sent a document explaining why our action did not cause harm to anyone. It would be absurd to discriminate against anyone simply by drawing attention to a demographic issue. But the system, subject to the dictatorship of political correctness, believes otherwise…
We spoke with representatives of the CNCD, set out our point of view in detail, explained our intentions, and pointed out that anyone could act in bad faith and accuse us of breaking the law if they did not agree with our opinion. I would like to point out that I do not have the legal expertise to be an expert in defending such a position before an institution that has fined countless Romanians for actions or opinions that did no harm to anyone. Following the discussion with the staff there, I asked how long it would take to receive a response. The deadline was 90 working days. Now that these have passed and no reply has been received, and as a result I have avoided a hefty fine, I must confess that it is only through the help of God and Saint Ilie Lăcătușu that I am convinced this outcome has been achieved.
The day before, although I had some painful blisters on my feet, I decided to go to Father Ilie’s crypt in Giulești Cemetery. It was a day when the tomb was open for veneration. I stood in the queue for hours, as countless pilgrims come to ask for his help. It wasn’t easy, as the soles of my feet were aching. But the time passed more easily as I read the akathist to Father Ilie Lăcătușu and the akathist to the Saints of the Prisons! I reached his grave, paid my respects to the saint, and asked for his help to get through this ordeal safely. Ninety working days have passed, and no response has been received from the CNCD within the statutory time limit. It is now clear to me! This is a miracle of Saint Ilie—that is how I see it—one of the many miracles he performs through his prayers to God.
There was a huge outcry in the press and amongst those who hate Orthodoxy and the Romanian people when the Orthodox Church decided to canonise the priest, who had long been performing miracles and was honoured as a saint by the people. Why? Because he was a Legionary! But all this hatred cannot overcome the great love that Saint Ilie Lăcătușu has for us. Despite the persecution against him, even 43 years after his passing, Romanians know who he was and more and more are learning about him, praying to him and asking for his help!
I offer this testimony to urge all young nationalists, all Romanians who believe in God and have a good heart, to pray to the Father and to visit his crypt in Giulești Cemetery (in Bucharest), to pay their respects to him and to ask for his help. Your small effort will not be in vain!
Holy Father Ilie, pray to Christ for us sinners!
Mihail Bucur
