Orthodox Reflections

For all Akathists and prayers published on our site, click here. This prayer was recently translated into English by Maxim, who kindly asks all Orthodox Christians to keep him in their prayers for his repentance.

NOTE: This is an official Akathist which is sold in diverse Orthodox churches (parishes) in Romania as can be seen from this photo:

Feast days 19 June and 30 June

Troparion to Saint Jude Thaddeus, First Tone

Brother of Christ and mighty martyr, knowing you, Holy Jude, we praise you with holiness, you who trampled on deceit and kept the faith. For this reason, celebrating your most holy memory today, we receive forgiveness of sins through your prayers.

Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus

Holy Apostle Jude Thaddeus, I, … (say your name), entrust myself to your care. Pray for me; help me remember that I am not alone in my struggles. Please be with me and ask God to send me hope in sorrow, courage in fear, and healing in all my trials. Please ask our loving Lord to give me the grace to accept whatever life offers me and to sustain my faith in His healing power.

Thank you, Saint Jude Thaddeus, for the hope you give to all who believe, and please help me to offer this gift of hope to others. According to God’s will, Amen.

Another Prayer to Saint Jude Thaddeus, relative of the Lord

O Holy Jude Thaddeus, relative of our Lord Jesus Christ, glorious apostle and martyr, brilliant in virtues and powerful in miracles, faithful and swift helper of those who honor you and trust in you, look with merciful eyes upon those who run to you today and ask for your intercession.

You have received from God the gift of helping especially those who have lost almost all hope and are on the verge of despair.

Look at me, then, and see the distress I am in. My life is a life of suffering. My days are full of pain and sorrow, my soul is filled with bitterness.

My paths are full of sighs and tears and consuming worries that wear away all my strength for life.

Anxiety, despair, and lack of confidence in help from above often overwhelm my soul, so that it seems to me that God’s mercy has forsaken me. Then my soul is filled with darkness, my faith wavers, my heart weakens, and despair creeps into my soul, wanting to take control of me. O Holy Jude Thaddeus, you cannot leave me in this state. I run to you, I beg you, help me. Please hear my plea! I will not leave you until you hear me. Hurry and come to my aid, and do not abandon me, lest my trust in you be put to shame. May the endless mercy of God be glorified in me through your intercession. Hear my prayer, especially in my great distress that I am now experiencing, and give me your swift help in (here confess your distress).

Do not let my soul remain crushed by this blow of pain and fall into despair. Hear me, O Holy Jude Thaddeus, grant my request, and I will be grateful to you all my days. I will honor you as my most important helper.

I will thank God for your intercession and will spread your veneration among people as much as I can. Amen.

Kontakion 1

To the most humble Apostle and relative of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude Thaddeus, praise of the martyrs, swift helper of the desperate, let us sing with joy: Great is God in you, Holy Apostle Thaddeus of Galilee!

Ikos 1

You were born, O Holy Apostle, in Nazareth of Galilee, being one of the four sons of Saint Joseph, the betrothed of the Virgin Mary: Jude, James, Josiah, and Simon. And like your brothers, at first you did not believe in Him. Then, realizing your mistake, you became one of the twelve apostles of the Savior and humbly called yourself “Judas, servant of Christ and brother of James.” For this reason, O holy Judas Thaddeus, send me help to honor your holy apostleship:

Rejoice, teacher of humility;

Rejoice, corrector of pride;

Rejoice, teacher of repentance;

Rejoice, pillar of faith;

Rejoice, wise servant of Christ;

Rejoice, for obedience has brought you benefit;

Rejoice, Saint Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 2

To avoid confusion with another Judas, the Holy Evangelist Matthew wisely named you Thaddeus, which means “praiser” and “confessor” or “milky breasts.” He also named you Levi, thus showing your zeal and bravery in the fight for our Savior, after you became convinced that Jesus is the Messiah. Others, calling you Varsava, which means “son of return,” thus showed your immense repentance, faith, and love, for which we sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

We therefore turn to you with confidence, holy apostle Jude Thaddeus-Levi, and call upon you in our prayers. Defend us like a lion from the passions of the soul and body, help us to understand and fulfill the words of the Holy Gospel, help us to confess with our words, deeds, and thoughts the true faith, for the glory of God and the help of our neighbor, we who sing to you:

Rejoice, burning zeal;

Rejoice, unfathomable treasure;

Rejoice, ardent confessor;

Rejoice, spirited fighter;

Rejoice, victor over passions;

Rejoice, joy of the angels;

Rejoice, Saint Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 3

In your youth, you first showed indifference toward Christ, unwilling to share your mother’s wealth with Him. Then you gave your soul for Christ, becoming His apostle, thus giving us an example of repentance, humility of faith, and love. You ardently desired that everyone would know Christ, believe in Him, love Him, be saved, and sing forever: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

We run to you, O holy Apostle Jude Thaddeus, as one who understands the devil’s deception through hatred and unbelief, to heal us and our loved ones from our passions, we who sing to you:

Rejoice, immeasurable love;

Rejoice, incarnate gospel;

Rejoice, teacher of gratitude;

Rejoice, master of asceticism;

Rejoice, chosen and tested one;

Rejoice, devoted servant of the Holy Trinity;

Rejoice, Holy Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 4

After the Ascension of the Lord, you preached the Gospel, Holy Apostle, first in Judea, Galilee, Samaria, and Idumea. Then you went to Arabia, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Edessa, the city of Abgar, where you completed the work begun by another saint named Thaddeus, one of the seventy apostles, singing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

You then preached the word of God in Persia, where you wrote a short epistle in Greek to all believers, full of useful teachings about the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the incarnation of Christ, about the difference between good and evil angels, about the Last Judgment. You then advised us to flee from the impurities of bodily sins, from blasphemy, pride, disobedience, envy, hatred, craftiness, and deceit. You then urged each of us to be steadfast in our own calling in faith, prayer, and love. You then taught us to care for the return of those who have strayed from the true faith and to guard ourselves against heretics, whose destruction you considered to be like that of the Sodomites. You then urged us, in addition to the true faith, to perform good deeds befitting our calling and worthy of salvation, for which we sing to you:

Rejoice, for in few words you have said great things;

Rejoice, guide of the weak and the strong;

Rejoice, fierce fighter against sin;

Rejoice, you who protect us from the torments of hell;

Rejoice, defender of Christian values;

Rejoice, honorer of the divine order;

Rejoice, Holy Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 5

We do not know the multitude of your sufferings and labors, Holy Apostle, while you preached Christ. We know, however, that you baptized and entrusted the peoples through miracles, guiding them to salvation. And the faithful, helped by your prayers, sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

We dare, Holy Apostle Jude Thaddeus, to ask for your mercy. We have angered God with our shameful deeds and suffer because of our sins. Intercede for help according to God’s will for our souls and bodies that lie in spiritual and physical suffering. We believe that you are the same now as you were then and that you can comfort those who are sad or despairing, helping them in situations that seem to have no solution, to the glory of the Holy Trinity. You are the one who knows that despair is the greatest sin into which the unclean one seeks to cast us. Help us, the saddened, to persevere in prayer and to understand the meaning of suffering or to be delivered from it so that we do not fall into despair. Help us to carry our cross and respond to Christ’s call to us who sing to you:

Rejoice, doctor of the body;

Rejoice, healer of the soul;

Rejoice, hope of the despairing;

Rejoice, defender of the oppressed;

Rejoice, teacher of virtue;

Rejoice, rebuke of unbelief;

Rejoice, Holy Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 6

You then went to the regions of Ararat, where you turned many people from devilish deception to Christ. However, you were captured by idol worshippers and, after prolonged torture, you were hung on a wooden cross and pierced with arrows by the unbelievers. And so you passed on to Christ God, where you sing together with all His saints: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

Holy Apostle Jude Thaddeus, we glorify your martyrdom and pray that you intercede for us to obtain wisdom, so that we may know when it is useful to endure suffering and when we must ask God to deliver us from it. Help us to acquire the strength to confess our faith in these times of trial! Help us to live according to God’s will, defending the divine commandments and the Orthodox faith for which you sacrificed yourself, we who sing to you:

Rejoice, good servant who has brought forth much fruit;

Rejoice, brother in spirit of Jesus;

Rejoice, for you have fulfilled His will;

Rejoice, for like Him, you were crucified on the wood of the cross;

Rejoice, martyr who endured many torments;

Rejoice, you who are crowned with eternal glory;

Rejoice, Saint Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 7

The news of your miracles has been passed down through the ages from generation to generation, and thus many run to you when they find themselves in desperate situations. You comfort them all and urge them to honor God by singing to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

We also run to you, we who struggle with our own passions and those of others, with unclean thoughts, with troubles permitted by God for our sins, with illnesses and temptations.

Rejoice, expeller of demons;

Rejoice, healer of the sick;

Rejoice, reconciliation of those who are separated;

Rejoice, comfort of the oppressed;

Rejoice, rebuke of the oppressors;

Rejoice, peace of those who pray;

Rejoice, Holy Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 8

There are many testimonies from believers who have sought your help in desperate situations. Each testimony is further proof that your apostolate continues to this day, for with your help, you urge all who pray to you to repent and sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

We pray to you, Holy Apostle Jude Thaddeus, examine our lives and see if we are on the path to salvation and if our will corresponds to the will of God. Help us as you know and as you can. Help the elderly to be good examples for the young. Help the young to be a joy to their parents. Help the unwise to become wise. Help the unbelievers to become believers. Help those in desperate situations to attain prayer, confession, Communion, deliverance from eternal torment, heavenly happiness, wisdom, contemplation of Christ’s sufferings, patience, gratitude for the gifts already received, humility, faith, hope, love, protection, help, and spiritual benefit. Examine us too, those who sing to you:

Rejoice, defender of causes that seem lost.

Rejoice, protector of those who are being tested;

Rejoice, helper of those in prison;

Rejoice, healer of the sick;

Rejoice, bringer of peace to sad souls;

Rejoice, helper of those in various troubles;

Rejoice, Saint Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 9

You were depicted by the painter with an icon of our Lord Jesus Christ on your chest, to show your holy zeal, and with an arrow, as a testimony to your suffering, for you were pierced with arrows by the unbelievers who did not know how to sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

O Holy Apostle Jude Thaddeus, help us to grow in faith, hope, love, humility, purity, charity, temperance, gentleness, long-suffering, and diligence. Help us to be healed of anger, pride, stinginess, greed, debauchery, envy, laziness, witchcraft, and abortion.

Rejoice, holy hope;

Rejoice, unwavering calling;

Rejoice, image of humility;

Rejoice, dwelling place of piety;

Rejoice, Levi, lion of prayer;

Rejoice, Thaddeus, fountain of wisdom;

Rejoice, Saint Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 10

Because of their contempt for the deeds of Judas Iscariot, many preferred to call you Levi or Thaddeus. But you sanctified your name in humility, singing to God always: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

Pray also for us, to the Most Holy Trinity, Saint Jude Thaddeus, that the Holy Spirit may be poured out upon us, the gifts of the Most Holy Spirit and prayer in Spirit and in Truth, upon us who sing to you:

Rejoice, faithful follower of Christ;

Rejoice, for you listen and learn what is useful;

Rejoice, for you teach us to forgive so that we may be forgiven;

Rejoice, for you help us to be friends and brothers to Jesus;

Rejoice, tireless worker in the vineyard of Christ;

Rejoice, great defender of the persecuted Christian;

Rejoice, Saint Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 11

We glorify the Most Holy Trinity, for through the incarnation and sacrifice on the Cross of the Savior, it has made possible the path to deification. We honor the Most Holy Virgin Mary, who helps Christians in their trials. We honor all the saints and angels with whom you intercede for us and sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

We honor your memory, Holy Apostle Jude Thaddeus, and we ask you to intercede for us, who sing to you:

Rejoice, glorifying God;

Rejoice, praying for my soul;

Rejoice, intercessor of my salvation;

Rejoice, my defender in difficult trials;

Rejoice, image of mercy;

Rejoice, embodiment of humility;

Rejoice, Saint Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 12

With what words shall we praise your humble life, your fervent zeal, and your boundless love for our Savior Jesus Christ? With what words shall we praise your glorious miracles through which you bless those who honor you? Finding no words adequate, we thank God for all things and sing with you: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

Holy Apostle Jude Thaddeus, we thank the Holy Trinity for the help given to Christians through your intercession, and we pray that from now on He will help us also to rejoice in His mercy, through your prayers.

Rejoice, dispeller of sadness;

Rejoice, bringer of gentleness;

Rejoice, peacemaker of those who are at odds;

Rejoice, savior of the afflicted;

Rejoice, praise of the apostleship;

Rejoice, finder of joy;

Rejoice, Saint Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 13

O holy Apostle and martyr Jude Thaddeus, you who acquired such love for our Savior that you offered your life to Him, receive this prayer and intercede for our protection from the Antichrist, demons, and enemies. Help us in our troubles and temptations that come from the world, from the flesh, and from the unclean one. Intercede for wisdom for all worldly and ecclesiastical leaders to guide us on the paths of salvation! Help us to pass unperturbed through the Toll Houses, so that, being saved, we may sing to God: Alleluia!

This kontakion is said three times, after which the Ikos I and Kontakion I are said.

Ikos 1

You were born, O Holy Apostle, in Nazareth of Galilee, being one of the four sons of Saint Joseph, the betrothed of the Virgin Mary: Jude, James, Josiah, and Simon. And like your brothers, at first you did not believe in Him. Then, realizing your mistake, you became one of the twelve apostles of the Savior and humbly called yourself “Judas, servant of Christ and brother of James.” For this reason, O holy Judas Thaddeus, send me help to honor your holy apostleship:

Rejoice, teacher of humility;

Rejoice, corrector of pride;

Rejoice, teacher of repentance;

Rejoice, pillar of faith;

Rejoice, wise servant of Christ;

Rejoice, for obedience has brought you benefit;

Rejoice, Saint Thaddeus of Galilee, great Apostle of Christ!

Kontakion 1

To the most humble Apostle and relative of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude Thaddeus, praise of the martyrs, swift helper of the desperate, let us sing with joy: Great is God in you, Holy Apostle Thaddeus of Galilee!

Source of the Akathist:https://doarortodox.ro/2016/10/28/acatistul-sf-apostol-iuda-tadeu-ruda-domnului-grabnic-ajutator-al-celor-fara-speranta-19-iunie/

FINAL NOTE: There is a wonder-working icon of Saint Jude Thaddeus here in Romania, in Bucharest, at the Church Saint Dumitru-Poștă.

You can read more about it here: https://sfantuldumitruposta.ro/cea-mai-veche-biserica-din-bucuresti-adaposteste-o-icoana-extrem-de-rara/