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: 17 March
The Akathist of Saint Patrick, the Enlightener of Ireland, can be read to drive away evil spirits and enlighten the soul and mind so that one may confess Christ to others.
Troparion to the Akathist of Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland, 3rd tone
Holy Hierarch Patrick, miracle worker equal to the Apostles, enlightener of Ireland, pray to the Merciful God to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Kontakion 1
In the fourth century of the Christian era, you were born on the sixteenth day of April, to a father who was a deacon and a grandfather who was a priest of Christ, and a mother who was a relative of Saint Martin, the famous Apostle of the Gauls. Now all Christendom cries out to you: Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Ikos 1
At sixteen, you were kidnapped by barbarians and became a slave in green Ireland, and your heart, then indifferent to salvation, suddenly opened to the Grace of God. You spent six years in fervent prayer, admired by the Saints in heaven, who sang to you:
Rejoice, for as a child you understood the exile of our life!
Rejoice, for you clothed yourself with fervent prayer!
Rejoice, you who, in time, took the path of eternity!
Rejoice, pure and chaste sacrifice of your young life!
Rejoice, early confirmation of the only salvation!
Rejoice, immeasurable glory of green Ireland!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 2
Living unceasingly in heaven, on this earth, an Angel of God appeared to you in a vision, announcing that a ship was waiting for you in the harbor. Trusting in the promises of His messenger, you walked a long way and reached the sea; and you were able to sail to salvation, crying out: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
When you disembarked, you had to walk a long way with the pagans who were part of the crew, and when food began to run out, a miracle fed and converted them, thanks to the power of your prayer to God; to Whom we also turn, to praise you thus:
Rejoice, work of God’s will!
Rejoice, unshakeable faith in God!
Rejoice, you who surrendered yourself to the Will of Christ!
Rejoice, erasure before the Laws of the Most High!
Rejoice, voluntary acceptance of the Heavenly Plan!
Rejoice, healer, through the Power of the Lord!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 3
Returning to your home, you were even more delighted, for God had informed you that you would be freed. You felt His Care for your soul, for He had plans for His Church, where your faith and devotion would work wonders. He called you, and you answered: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
The Spirit in you interceding for Ireland, you were always called to its shores, and when your parents were killed, you were taken as a slave, but God ordained that you be redeemed in Gaul by Christians. You became a monk at Saint Martin, and we say to you:
Rejoice, starting point of monasticism in the Celtic countries!
Rejoice, for at the tomb of Saint Martin you discovered Life!
Rejoice, for you grew spiritually in the presence of a Saint!
Rejoice, for through your moderate life you were his perfect disciple!
Rejoice, for as a disciple you have equaled your teacher!
Rejoice, for you have been filled with grace by the Lord God!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 4
But numerous divine visions asked you to return to Ireland. After four years, you left the Holy Monastery and, crossing the sea, arrived in Temair, where you wished to bring the Holy Gospel, praying, fasting, preaching, and singing to Christ: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
But because of your enemies, you returned to Gaul, where you became a disciple of Saint Germanus and lived for nine years on the island of Lerins, preparing yourself through prayer for your mission. Then, being ordained Bishop of Ireland, you left for the Emerald Isle, where you were told:
Rejoice, for you have become a disciple of the hierarch of Auxerre!
Rejoice, for you have followed in his footsteps on the path of self-restraint!
Rejoice, for you then went to live on the island of the holy monks!
Rejoice, disciple of the fathers who pray in their cells!
Rejoice, call to pure and constant prayer!
Rejoice, response of holiness to the call!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 5
For a long time you heard in your pious soul the praying voice of the children of Ireland calling you to come and deliver them from the oppressive darkness of paganism. So when you arrived on the Green Island, the crowds of Christians sang to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Armed with the Holy Gospel and your burning faith, you had to face the assembly of all the Druids and preach before the nobles and the people; and with your fiery words, you performed miracles, bringing many souls to the Lord, and the Apostles sang to you one of their own:
Rejoice, Apostle with a golden mouth who preaches Life!
Rejoice, preacher who shows the Way of Salvation!
Rejoice, fearless shepherd in the midst of the wolves of the pagans!
Rejoice, doctor of souls with spiritual ointments!
Rejoice, experienced helmsman who leads to the holy harbor!
Rejoice, perfect guide on the way to Heaven!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 6
Then followed a multitude of great miracles, which sowed faith in the land of Ireland. Freed forever from the bonds of idolatry, the children of the island all received the Light from the one who had once been their slave, and, giving thanks to the Lord, they sang to heaven: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Brave preacher, with clear speech you explained to the worshippers of evil the subtle mysteries of the Orthodox faith, and taking a three-leaf clover in your holy hand, you showed them the symbol of the Holy Trinity. And the angels cried out to you:
Rejoice, tireless preacher of the Kingdom!
Rejoice, holy embodiment of the art of beautiful speech!
Rejoice, diamond conviction of the true faith!
Rejoice, ardent certainty of the Truth!
Rejoice, echo of the wonders revealed through your words!
Rejoice, precious vessel of the Holy Trinity!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 7
From time to time, retreating into solitude, you lived a very harsh life, preparing your body and soul for the struggles that were to come, those of the Holy Church. You spared neither pain nor time, chanting ceaselessly to the God of Love: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
On the mountain that now bears your name, like the Holy Prophet Moses on Sinai, you spent forty days in prayer, interceding ceaselessly to the God of heaven for the salvation of all the children of Ireland. And, gathered together, the Saints of the Celtic country say:
Rejoice, for you often stood face to face with God!
Rejoice, for, like Jacob, you wrestled with the Almighty!
Rejoice, for you obtained many blessings from Him!
Rejoice, for, like the Prophet, you have experienced His Presence!
Rejoice, for the salvation of your children was your only concern!
Rejoice, loving shepherd of the speaking sheep of the island!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 8
When you were struggling through fasting and prayer, a holy Angel of the Lord appeared, announcing that your zeal and faith had brought God’s goodwill upon you, and, like Moses coming down from Sinai, you thanked God for your people, saying to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
From south to north, you made the night disappear, driving it away with the light of the Holy Gospel, and new sheep came to gather in the holy flock redeemed by the Blood of Christ. And you led to the Land promised by God the souls of all those who cried out to you:
Rejoice, for you had Christ continually before your pure eyes!
Rejoice, you who had God the Father in your heart forever!
Rejoice, for you had the Holy Spirit forever on your lips!
Rejoice, for you were on earth as a living Church!
Rejoice, for you were a hymn of the Holy Trinity!
Rejoice, for you were a place of blessings!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 9
In Ireland, freed from paganism, you made monasticism flourish in the Church, setting an example of a harsh life yourself and, sheltering the multitude in your prayer, you encouraged many monks and nuns to sing to the Lord: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
By preaching the Kingdom of Christ, you inspired Saint Brigid of Kildare, who became a nun and founded the first convent on the island, and who shares with you the protection of Ireland and sings to you from the heights of heaven:
Rejoice, dispeller of the darkness of ignorance!
Rejoice, foundation of holiness in the land of Ireland!
Rejoice, model of life for the daughters of the island!
Rejoice, Holy Icon for the sons of Ireland!
Rejoice, first pillar on the path of their faith!
Rejoice, light that reflects the Sun!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 10
For more than thirty years you fought the good fight, giving the faithful gathered by your zeal the blessings of the Lord, the manna from heaven to which you drew them by your prayer; and you kept for yourself the harsh life that breaks the body but frees the soul that sings: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
Every day you sang the Psalter of David, and through the holy sign of the Cross, you marked yourself for eternity before the world, bowing down to the ground before the One God and One King, whom you received as the steward of your life, and the choir of the elect of the Kingdom cries out to you:
Rejoice, incarnate asceticism of unceasing prayer!
Rejoice, perfect watchman of body and soul!
Rejoice, willing sacrifice for the good of the soul!
Rejoice, vision of the future of the world!
Rejoice, living foreshadowing of the Holy Kingdom!
Rejoice, inspiration of the temporal toward eternity!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 11
Tireless apostle of Truth, when you went to visit the parishes of Ulster, your imminent death was made known to you. An angel told you that you would die on the road. And you fulfilled your last duties as a hierarch in a monastery of nuns, who sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
During your visit to this jewel of Ireland, a light appeared in the cemetery, and you asked Brighita to interpret this, and she predicted that a Saint would soon rest there. And you asked her to prepare your shroud, and the Saints sang such praises to you:
Rejoice, tireless fighter in the good fight!
Rejoice, victorious athlete of holy battles!
Rejoice, tireless soldier of holy Grace!
Rejoice, victorious strategist who has reached the final battle!
Rejoice, for like the righteous Simeon, you were able to go in peace!
Rejoice, for your days will end in eternity!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 12
On this day appointed for you by the Lord, you lay down on your bed and, in prayer, received the Holy Sacraments from your disciple, then blessed your spiritual sons one last time before meeting the eternal Light, where the righteous sing unceasingly to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
When your precious body was wrapped in the shroud woven by Saint Brigid, the Holy Angels were heard singing for your soul, and the sweet fragrance of Heaven was felt, proving your honor from the Lord, and the chosen ones of Heaven began to sing:
Rejoice, you who were at once on earth and in heaven!
Rejoice, for you have passed from death to eternal life!
Rejoice, for you have continued your work through intercession!
Rejoice, refuge of sinners in the turmoil of the world!
Rejoice, balm of prayer on the wounds of souls!
Rejoice, proven remedy that proves Grace!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 13
You were bound as a slave by men, but you freed yourself from captivity by accepting Christ as your only master. You gained the pearl of salvation at great cost, and your whole life bears witness to God, to whom we also sing loudly with you: Alleluia!
This Kontakion is recited three times.
Ikos 1
At sixteen, you were kidnapped by barbarians and became a slave in green Ireland, and your heart, then indifferent to salvation, suddenly opened to the Grace of God. You spent six years in fervent prayer, admired by the Saints in heaven, who sang to you:
Rejoice, for as a child you understood the exile of our life!
Rejoice, for you clothed yourself with fervent prayer!
Rejoice, you who, in time, took the path of eternity!
Rejoice, pure and chaste sacrifice of your young life!
Rejoice, early confirmation of the only salvation!
Rejoice, immeasurable glory of green Ireland!
Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Kontakion 1
In the fourth century of the Christian era, you were born on the sixteenth day of April, to a father who was a deacon and a grandfather who was a priest of Christ, and a mother who was a relative of Saint Martin, the famous Apostle of the Gauls. Now all Christendom cries out to you: Rejoice, Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland!
Prayer to Saint Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland
O Holy Patrick, exemplary monk, peerless hierarch, and model missionary, intercede for us before the Lord our God with your holy prayers before His Throne, that He may help us to resemble, in our small way, the Christian virtues you demonstrated in your life; to give us a fervent and zealous faith, to follow the Way in this life, as you did, with the sole concern of salvation in Christ; to give us strength and zeal in fulfilling His Commandments and the harsh life in order to reach the harbor of peace!
Holy Father of a multitude of Saints, pray through the power of your blessed prayer that He may come to the aid of our little faith and that we may follow in your footsteps, despite our unworthiness!
Blessed Saint who preached through the example of your life, be our guide and mentor to heaven, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reign, now and forever and ever! Amen!
Prayer written by Saint Patrick of Ireland:
I rise today
in the boundless power, the call of the Trinity—
faith in the Three, confession of the One,
God the All-Creator.
I rise today
in the power of Christ’s Birth, and Baptism,
the power of His Crucifixion, and Tomb,
the power of His Resurrection, and Ascension
the power of His Descent to the Unmerciful Judgment.
I rise today
in the power of the Seraphim hosts
in the obedience of the angels,
in the service of the Archangels,
in the hope of resurrection in reward,
in the prayers of the Patriarchs,
in the prophecies of the Prophets,
in the preaching of the Apostles,
in the faith of the Confessors,
in the righteousness of the Holy Virgins,
in the deeds of the righteous.
I rise today
in the strength of heaven,
the light of the sun,
the brightness of snow,
the beauty of fire,
the swiftness of lightning,
the swiftness of the wind,
the depth of the sea,
the steadfastness of the earth,
the strength of rocks.
I rise today
in the power of God, to guide me,
the strength of God, to hold me,
the wisdom of God, to lead me,
the eye of God, to watch over me,
the ear of God, to hear me,
the word of God, to speak to me,
the hand of God, to protect me,
God’s way to stand before me,
God’s shield to cover me,
God’s army to save me
from the snares of the devil,
from the temptations of sin,
from the lusts of the flesh,
from all who wish me harm,
whether near or far,
whether alone or in a crowd.
I call upon all of these today
against all merciless enemy power
that wants to come upon my body and soul:
against the spells of false prophets,
against the dark laws of paganism,
against the false laws of heresy,
against the deceptions of idol worship,
against the spells of women, magicians, and sorcerers,
against all knowledge forbidden to the human soul.
May Christ protect me today
from all poison, from burning,
from drowning, from injury,
so that I may be worthy of great reward.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit,
Christ when I rise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I rise today
in the boundless power, the call of the Trinity—
faith in Three, confession of One,
God the All-Creator.
The Lord’s is salvation,
The Lord’s is salvation,
Christ’s is salvation.
Your salvation, Lord, be with us forever.
Source: https://pravila.ro/acatistul-sfantului-ierarh-patrick-luminatorul-irlandei/
https://manastirea.petru-voda.ro/2015/08/27/rugaciunea-sfantului-patrick-sec-v/
