Akathist to Saint Symeon the God Receiver

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: 3 February

Translator’s Note: Saint Symeon the God Receiver is one of the few Saints whom God revealed to us to be greater than other saints. He is even greater than Saint Nicholas of Myra!

This we find out from the life of Saint Peter the Athonite:

“The great honor given in Heaven to Saint Symeon, the Receiver of God, who held the Savior of the world in his arms, is clearly shown to us in the life of Saint Peter the Athonite, celebrated on June 12. The monk Peter of Mount Athos, of Greek descent, lived in Constantinople, being a commander in the imperial army. In 667, being sent to war in Syria, Peter was taken prisoner and imprisoned in a fortress in the city of Samaria, on the Euphrates River.

He was imprisoned for a long time, meditating on his sins, which had brought him God’s punishment. Peter then remembered that some time ago he had intended to leave the world and become a monk, but had not done so. He began to fast severely, praying from his heart to Saint Nicholas, the miracle worker, to intercede before God for his release from prison, so that he could devote the rest of his life to God. As a result of his prayers, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, telling him that he was interceding for him before God, but that God was delaying his release because he had once before promised before Him what Peter had said, and the promise had not been kept. In his dream, Saint Nicholas advised Peter to continue his prayers and to have Saint Symeon, the Receiver of the Lord, as his intercessor, for he enjoys great honor before the Lord, standing beside the throne of God together with the Holy Virgin and Saint John the Baptist.

Peter heeded Saint Nicholas’ advice. Awaking from his sleep, he began to pray again and fasted strictly, calling upon Saint Symeon, the receiver of God, as well as Saint Nicholas for help. Once again, Saint Nicholas appeared to him, together with Saint Symeon, but not in a dream, but in reality.

Peter lifted his eyes and saw Saint Symeon, wonderful to behold, honorable in appearance, and clothed in the vestments of the priesthood of the Old Law, holding a golden staff in his hands. Peter, seeing him, was frightened, and Saint Symeon said to him, “Are you the one who asks brother Nicholas to free you from your bonds and from this prison?” And he, barely able to open his mouth for fear, replied: “I am, O beloved of God, whom I have also won as a mediator to God.” Saint Symeon said to him, “But will you fulfill your promise to become a monk and live a life of good deeds?”

Peter replied, “Yes, master, with God’s help, I will fulfill it.” And the saint said to him, “If you promise to do so, leave here now and go wherever you wish.” Then Peter showed the saint his feet bound in chains, and Saint Symeon touched the chains with his staff, and immediately they melted like wax before the fire. Peter stood up and, seeing the prison open, went out, following Saint Symeon and Saint Nicholas, and thus left the city. Then Saint Symeon entrusting him to Saint Nicholas’ care, disappeared.

Peter traveled to Rome to be tonsured a monk at the tomb of Saint Peter. There he was tonsured a monk by the bishop of Rome, for he had received a message in a dream from Saint Nicholas, who told him of the former prisoner’s repentance and commanded him to make him a monk.”

Thus as can be deduced from the story, Saints Nicholas and Symeon the God Receiver are to be sought in prayer when our prayers seem to not be heard in order that they might be heard.

I recommend everyone who urgently needs something to pray the Akathist to Saint Nicholas and the Akathist to Saint Symeon the God Receiver, both of them daily for at least 80 days non-stop.

Saint Symeon the God Receiver is also the patron saint of receiving second chances and also one of the patron saints of children.

Kontakion 1

As a wonderful dwelling place, sanctified by the light of the Spirit, you appeared among the chosen people, eagerly awaiting the coming of the Savior in the flesh, with whom you spoke incessantly in the chamber of your heart, offering Him the sacrifice of the song: Alleluia!

Ikos 1

Receiving the whispers of the Spirit in the ear of your heart, you treasured the divine words and kept them in the treasury of your heart, kindling ever more the fire of heavenly love and inspiring you with the hope of seeing the Unseen One; for this, marveling at the gift given to you from above, with angelic reverence we bring you flowers of songs such as these:

Rejoice, receiver of saving hope;

Rejoice, flame of divine wisdom;

Rejoice, knower of the depths of the Spirit;

Rejoice, dwelling place of divine blessings;

Rejoice, entrusting of the wonderful mystery;

Rejoice, seeing of the Unseen with the eyes of the soul;

Rejoice, dwelling place of luminous holiness;

Rejoice, expectation of Israel’s consolation;

Rejoice, hallowed house of the gifts of the Spirit;

Rejoice, crown of angelic wisdom;

Rejoice, unshakeable tower of good deeds;

Rejoice, fruitful expectation of wonderful visions;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, confessor of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 2

Like a bright star, you shone among the seventy wise men of Israel, thirsting for the light of wisdom from the One Who, in His great mercy, receives angelic praise from our unworthy mouths: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

You considered the depth of God’s judgments to be very frightening, Holy Symeon, and trying to comprehend it within the limits of the human mind, you thought it impossible for a virgin to conceive without knowing a man; but you were then deemed worthy to see with your own eyes the salvation of Israel prepared through the Virgin and Mother of God, for which you receive words of honor such as these:

Rejoice, penetration of the high mysteries;

Rejoice, vision of those beyond the mind;

Rejoice, search for wisdom in the Scriptures;

Rejoice, expectation of the unseen;

Rejoice, sharing from the fountain of wisdom;

Rejoice, reception of the saving word;

Rejoice, mirror of divine gifts;

Rejoice, holy tabernacle of the Trinity;

Rejoice, watering from the words of Scripture;

Rejoice, light with the rays of prophecy;

Rejoice, fulfiller of the divine law;

Rejoice, vision of the Lord’s order;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, confessor of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 3

Wanting to comprehend the mystery of the Virgin’s birth in the mirror of the human mind, you hastened to erase the interpretation of the words of the prophet Isaiah, but, guided by the angel, you sang to the Lord: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

The angel of the Lord was sent to stop you from doing what you wanted to do out of doubt in your heart, and he announced to you that you would see the fulfillment of what was prophesied, and rejoicing in this miracle, you are now worthy of our honor:

Rejoice, reception of the promise of salvation;

Rejoice, wonderful correction by the angel;

Rejoice, obedience to the word of God;

Rejoice, sweetness of the Creator’s care;

Rejoice, interpretation of the mystery beyond understanding;

Rejoice, sharing of the light of wisdom;

Rejoice, revelation of the depths of divine judgments;

Rejoice, obedience to the angelic voice;

Rejoice, clarification of the mystery beyond human understanding;

Rejoice, sweet fragrance of holiness;

Rejoice, unquenchable torch among the righteous;

Rejoice, expectation of the fulfillment of prophecy;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, witness of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 4

Keeping the words of the angel in the book of your heart as gifts preceding the vision of the Word, you adorned your soul with the angelic wings of prayer, crying out to the Giver of all gifts: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

Your life was like a mirror of angelic living, in all circumstances avoiding all evil and cleansing the eyes of your soul with the dew of prayer; we, marveling at your zeal to adorn yourself with virtues in anticipation of the Truth, bring you our green staffs of prayer honoring pure life:

Rejoice, exhortation to angelic life;

Rejoice, vessel bearing heavenly gifts;

Rejoice, soul clothed in the garment of purity;

Rejoice, secret fragrance of the gifts of the Spirit;

Rejoice, secret protector of children;

Rejoice, ladder of divine virtues;

Rejoice, diligent worker in the land of salvation;

Rejoice, purification of the mind in the rivers of humility;

Rejoice, expectation of the unwaning Light;

Rejoice, book of divine thoughts;

Rejoice, holy torch of righteousness;

Rejoice, unshakeable pillar of virtue;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, confessor of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 5

You became a church of the Word before His appearance in the flesh on earth, dwelling near the temple and offering unceasing prayers for the salvation of the world from the bondage of the deceiver, but also praise for the mercy of the Lord: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

Hearing the prompting of the Spirit, you hastened to the temple to embrace the One Who embraces the whole world with His perfect thought of love; and we, embracing prayer, bring you the whispers of our pious thoughts:

Rejoice, fulfillment of bright hope;

Rejoice, embrace of the One who cannot be comprehended by the mind;

Rejoice, reception of the comfort of the Spirit;

Rejoice, holy step toward the spacious temple of the Gift;

Rejoice, the desired answer to persistent prayers;

Rejoice, sweetness of the sight of the Unseen One;

Rejoice, fire of prayer at the altar of the heart;

Rejoice, reception of the rays of saving hope;

Rejoice, loving search of the Spirit;

Rejoice, guide to the harbor of the Word;

Rejoice, journey in the ship of prayer;

Rejoice, vision of those beyond understanding;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, confessor of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 6

Your eyes, thirsty for the sight of the Fountain of Life, were filled with tears of joy, seeing as in an icon, carried in the arms of the Virgin, the One Who took flesh for us, to Whom you sang: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

You knew that the Child held lovingly in His Mother’s arms was the promised Messiah, and you opened your arms to embrace the One who cannot be embraced in heaven; for this, magnifying your piety and love for the One Who clothed Himself in our humble flesh, we adorn you with such praises as these:

Rejoice, sight of Israel’s salvation;

Rejoice, unquenchable love for the Truth;

Rejoice, fountain of divine praise;

Rejoice, welcome to the One hidden under the garment of humble flesh;

Rejoice, embrace of the One who encompasses all creation;

Rejoice, herald of the Consolation of Israel;

Rejoice, adornment of the Child with loving thoughts;

Rejoice, embrace of the One Who created you with His hand;

Rejoice, watering from the humility of the Word;

Rejoice, sight of the ancient Child;

Rejoice, welcome of the One on the throne of the cherubim;

Rejoice, rest of divine thoughts;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, confessor of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 7

You recognized the Virgin prophesied by Isaiah as the Mother of the One above the heavens and worshipped her, singing to the Lord: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

You saw the spotless One surrounded by heavenly light and shining with divine rays, and you rejoiced in spirit, magnifying the humility of Him Who was not ashamed to search out our unworthiness, taking the form of a Child; Worshiping Him, we honor you with songs such as these:

Rejoice, sight of the Virgin who gave birth to a child;

Rejoice, praise given to the Trinity;

Rejoice, wonder of the wisdom of the Creator;

Rejoice, sight of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy;

Rejoice, confession of the divine judgments;

Rejoice, welcome to the One full of grace;

Rejoice, watering from the vessel of divine mercy;

Rejoice, sight of the One imagined in the words of the prophets;

Rejoice, sweetness of the high mysteries;

Rejoice, joy poured out upon the earth of the heart;

Rejoice, praise of the Altar of holiness;

Rejoice, star testifying to the lofty mysteries;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, witness of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 8

Taking your Creator in your arms, you humbly bowed your mind before Him and asked Him to release you, so that you might sing unceasingly with the angels: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

Seeing beforehand the passion and crucifixion of Christ with the prophetic eyes of your soul and the sword of sorrow that wounded the heart of the Virgin, you did not hide from the Most Blessed One the sorrow that would overcome her at the sight of her Son crucified on the Cross; marveling at the fulfillment of your words, we honor you with reverence thus:

Rejoice, sharer in the gift of prophecy;

Rejoice, voice through which the Spirit was proclaimed;

Rejoice, understanding of the mystery beyond comprehension;

Rejoice, vision in the mirror of the mind of Christ’s Crucifixion;

Rejoice, herald of the Passions of the Word;

Rejoice, comfort of the Virgin through the word;

Rejoice, watering from the pain of the Blameless One;

Rejoice, seer of hidden things;

Rejoice, dwelling place in the chamber of prophecy;

Rejoice, sharing in the glory of righteousness;

Rejoice, house illuminated by the Sun of righteousness;

Rejoice, crown of divine mysteries;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, confessor of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 9

Together with the prophetess Anna, you praised the One above the cherubim, Who deigned to appear before human eyes as a humble Child, bringing to Him a gift like a lullaby of the Spirit, the song: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

After the fulfillment of your enlightened hope, you reached the sunset of your life and, receiving a blessing from the Sunrise Above, you departed from the earth of this world, awaiting the return of the Sun of righteousness in the rest of eternal life; we, who lack the wisdom from above, pray that you bring us to the harbor of Life, that we may honor you with faith with pillars of words such as these:

Rejoice, arrival at the sunset of life;

Rejoice, fulfillment of the will of the divine thought;

Rejoice, sharing of the blessing of the Word;

Rejoice, holy dwelling place of Wisdom;

Rejoice, treasure of divine mysteries;

Rejoice, enclosure of the mind with the sword of prayer;

Rejoice, exhortation to the service of the Word;

Rejoice, dwelling place of unending rest;

Rejoice, reception into the joy of Life;

Rejoice, sweetness of the gaze of the eternal Sun;

Rejoice, bearer of divine words;

Rejoice, heir to the gift of salvation;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, confessor of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 10

In the ship of hope, you traveled on the river of the flow of your life and did not fear, waiting to reach the harbor of seeing the Messiah and to bring Him the song of thanksgiving: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

You built the house of your soul with the stones of virtue, awaiting the One who was coming to renew the chambers of hearts desolate with sin, and you brought Him the unceasing sacrifice of prayer, for which He receives from us rays of words such as these:

Rejoice, boundary of high holiness;

Rejoice, temple of the gifts of the Word;

Rejoice, adornment of the mind with heavenly praises;

Rejoice, preparation of the soul with the adornments of good deeds;

Rejoice, sharing in the gift of seeing the Most Glorious One;

Rejoice, mirror of the unwaning Light;

Rejoice, speaker of the mysteries of the Kingdom;

Rejoice, reception of the Creator of all creation;

Rejoice, filling with the light of joy;

Rejoice, welcoming of the Unseen One;

Rejoice, vision of the summit of heavenly desires;

Rejoice, high mountain of the announcements of the Word;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, confessor of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 11

Seeing the Angel of great counsel in the arms of the Virgin, you lifted up your enlightened mind with the flight of divine praises: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

The Father’s wise thought was pleased to show you as the witness of the incarnation of His Son, and, passing through the ages with hope and in the light of the Spirit, you served the awesome mystery, making yourself worthy of such honors as these:

Rejoice, voice testifying to the Word;

Rejoice, revelation of the opening of the gates of salvation;

Rejoice, preaching of the true Messiah;

Rejoice, sitting on the throne of wisdom;

Rejoice, enlightenment of our thoughts;

Rejoice, welcome to the One served by angels;

Rejoice, rest of the Word in the temple of the heart;

Rejoice, running with the steps of the Spirit;

Rejoice, vigil in the light of wisdom;

Rejoice, revelation of the One who rules the ages;

Rejoice, the resting of the soul in the hands of the One embraced;

Rejoice, the indelible confession of the Bringer of salvation;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, confessor of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 12

Serving the mystery of the Ancient of Days Who appeared to you as a newborn babe, you departed from this life, singing to the Lord: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

Now rejoicing in the tents of angels and sweetened by the thrice-holy song, remember us too, who with reverence utter in the chamber of our hearts such luminous thoughts as these:

Rejoice, angelic flight on the steps of praise;

Rejoice, walker on the paths of Light;

Rejoice, finder of blessed rest;

Rejoice, watering from the springs of Life;

Rejoice, dwelling place in the harbors of Heaven;

Rejoice, helper of those burdened with troubles;

Rejoice, herald of salvation to all;

Rejoice, pillar of the wisdom of the Word;

Rejoice, kindler of the torch of piety in our hearts;

Rejoice, defender of those persecuted by passions;

Rejoice, secret mediator to Christ;

Rejoice, ceaseless intercessor for the salvation of the world;

Rejoice, Holy and righteous Symeon, confessor of the incarnation of the Word!

Kontakion 13

O Holy and righteous Symeon, who from the darkness of time was called in the last days to see the Sun of righteousness shining in the arms of the understanding Heaven, His Most Holy Mother, pray to Him, Whom you welcomed with joy, to welcome us also with a merciful face at the hour of judgment, that we may sing together with the angels: Alleluia!

This kontakion is said three times.

Ikos 1

Rejoice, receiver of saving hope;

Rejoice, flame of divine wisdom;

Rejoice, knower of the depths of the Spirit;

Rejoice, dwelling place of divine blessings;

Rejoice, entrusting of the wonderful mystery;

Rejoice, seeing of the Unseen with the eyes of the soul;

Rejoice, dwelling place of luminous holiness;

Rejoice, expectation of Israel’s consolation;

Rejoice, hallowed house of the gifts of the Spirit;

Rejoice, crown of angelic wisdom;