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.
Icon depicting the Holy Divine Liturgy in Heaven
Kontakion 1
To those who rejoice unceasingly in being part of the Liturgy of Heaven, delighting in the uncreated and deifying energy of the Holy Trinity, being an immediate part of the Holy Liturgy in Heaven, who hear and fulfill the Word of God unincarnate and then incarnate, we pray to the Holy 24 Elders. And you, Saints, who are so close to the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity, please accept these honors, for with love and humility we cry out to you: Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Ikos 1
The work of the Holy Spirit, who obeys the Father, is fulfilled in pure hearts, and the clarity of the depths of the soul raises earthly understanding beyond what is seen, so that the Son of Man is revealed to those who live like Angels, and you, Holy 24 Elders, see the Lord Christ forever, but hear also these words from us:
Rejoice, Heavenly Beings;
Rejoice, Spirits of Light;
Rejoice, glorious witnesses of the Liturgy in Heaven;
Rejoice, those created with the Angelic Powers;
Rejoice, primordial beings of the Beginning;
Rejoice, you who will be forever, even after the Second Coming of Jesus;
Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 2
Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, called the Apostle of Love, worthy to share in the most secret divine truths, received from God the blessing to see what will be at the end of the world, and he also bore witness to you, Holy 24 Elders, for through him, God the Father revealed you to the world so that we might know you: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Saint John, wise in love, saw the risen Lord Christ in Light one Sunday, in His uncreated glory, in the midst of seven candlesticks, and His appearance was majestic, with a long robe girded with a golden belt, beautiful beyond description, and a sharp double-edged sword coming out of His Holy mouth, to the amazement of us who pray:
Rejoice, Holy Elders who dwell in the Heavenly Kingdom;
Rejoice, you who worship the Mother of God;
Rejoice, participants in the songs of the Seraphim;
Rejoice, you who rejoice with the Cherubim;
Rejoice, you who look upon the Holy Archangels;
Rejoice, you who hear the voices of the Angels;
Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 3
Then, on the same day dedicated to the Resurrection of the Lord, that is, Sunday, St. John the Evangelist heard the Lord Christ say to him: “Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive for ever and ever, and I have the keys of death and Hades,” showing Himself as the Eternal High Priest, the Firstborn according to the divine nature, the Last One who will come, the One who was fulfilled through the Incarnation: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
As on Mount Tabor the glory of the Lord Christ was revealed to the Apostle John, so in this glory the Evangelist was lifted up with his body to Heaven, where he entered the uncreated temple to participate in the uncreated divine Liturgy, passing through a door into Heaven, and beyond the door he found a magnificent sight of which you too were a part, Holy 24 Elders, and we honor you:
Rejoice, you who always have before you the Throne of God;
Rejoice, servants of the Heavenly Throne;
Rejoice, you who delight in the heavenly rainbow shining like emeralds;
Rejoice, you who gaze unceasingly upon the Father;
Rejoice, you who serve the Son without ceasing;
Rejoice, you who hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 4
Entering through the door of Heaven that reveals the mysteries of the Spirit, which is closed to those unworthy of this ascent, and opens only to those who share in the Holy Spirit in their hearts and in truth, The Holy Apostle John saw around the Throne of God, 24 thrones on which you, the 24 Holy Elders, were seated, clothed in white robes and wearing golden crowns on your heads: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
You were seated on thrones like royal faces, Saints, participating directly in the glory of the Holy Trinity, hearing and seeing the lightning, voices, and thunder coming from the Throne of God, and looking at the seven torches burning before it:
Rejoice, you who are gifted with the deifying grace of God;
Rejoice, you who wear golden crowns—a sign of royal descent;
Rejoice, symbol of spiritual Wisdom;
Rejoice, you who appear as wise elders;
Rejoice, you who are one and in perfect unity with the Father;
Rejoice, you who are inseparable from the Son or the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 5
Before the Great Throne stretched a sea like glass resembling crystal, and in the center were four living creatures with the likeness of animals, full of eyes, and they said without ceasing: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and Who is and Who is to come.” and you, the 24 Holy Elders, fell on your knees before the Throne and worshipped Him who sat on the Throne: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
You cast your golden crowns before the Throne, O Saints, saying: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and came into being.” And we, in awe, praise you:
Rejoice, humble servants of the Father;
Rejoice, you who delight in the majesty of the Heavenly Liturgy;
Rejoice, winged Archbishops, servants of the Eternal Archbishop, Jesus Christ;
Rejoice, those who are ever-present within the Altar of Heaven;
Rejoice, those who sit upon the thrones of Light;
Rejoice, heads crowned with the golden crowns of Holiness;
Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 6
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John saw the beginning of the divine Liturgy in Heaven, for in the midst of the Holy Throne he saw a “Lamb as though it had been slain,” bearing the marks of the Passion but risen from the dead, and therefore having great power and glory. The Lamb took the Book from the One who sat on the Throne, the book with seven seals that reveals to the saints the mysteries hidden from men for centuries: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Then you, the 24 Holy Elders, together with the angels and all the heavenly beings, began to sing in a special way the glory of the slain Lamb, with a new song that the Holy Evangelist John had never heard before, and we pray:
Rejoice, for you sang with your voices and with your harps;
Rejoice, for you had golden cups;
Rejoice, for they were filled with incense;
Rejoice, for you brought the sacrifice of praise to God;
Rejoice, for you offered the prayers of the Saints to His Throne;
Rejoice, you who see the Risen Lamb on the Altar of Eternal Life;
Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 7
On the Altar Table in the middle of the Holy Throne were the souls of the martyrs who were stabbed for the word of God and for the testimony they gave about the Lamb, and who cried out for judgment and vengeance for their blood against those who dwell on earth, but each one received a white robe and was told to rest in peace until the fulfillment of the times: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
One of you, Holy Elders, answered the Apostle John who asked who those were who carried palm branches and white robes and stood before the Throne and the Lamb, telling him that they were the Martyrs who came from the great persecution and who had washed their robes white with the blood of the Lamb:
Rejoice, you who dwell in the Holy Altar in Heaven;
Rejoice, for you have eternal knowledge of us who are on earth;
Rejoice, for you give us answers to unspoken questions;
Rejoice, for through you God sends us Wisdom;
Rejoice, you who bring us to the understanding of the incomprehensible;
Rejoice, you who descend in secret when we call you, sent by the Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 8
The crowd of people participating in the Holy Liturgy wearing white robes and palm branches shouted: “Salvation is from God who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb,” then they sang and praised God with a loud voice: “Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and righteous”: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Then the Angels, the four Holy Beasts, and you, the 24 Holy Elders, bowed down before the Throne and confirmed this testimony, for all of you who were present were one in the same spirit of prayer, piety, and love for God, and we praise you:
Rejoice, seeing the Angel incense the Golden Altar;
Rejoice, for the incense is a sacrifice of praise to the Most Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, for the censer carried within it all the prayers of the Saints;
Rejoice, for everything was in perfect communion with the Father;
Rejoice, for through the smoke of incense rising from the earth, communion with the Liturgy in Heaven is achieved;
Rejoice, for in this way, the voice of the Saints reaches the Throne of God;
Rejoice, O 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 9
The angel then filled the censer with the coals that were on the Golden Altar and threw them on the ground, and then there was thunder and voices, lightning and earthquake, for God the Son will come to judge the peoples, and then each will receive either the Voice of salvation or the great earthquake of judgment, therefore we pray fervently to be eternal partakers of the Holy Heavenly Liturgy: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
Then you watched, Holy 24 Elders, as the Holy Apostle John ate the open book held by an Angel, the book of knowledge of things to come, which is eaten with the mouth and then descends into the heart, where it feels the bitterness of those who will not revel in the glory of God, but which for the worthy is sweetness and spiritual knowledge, unceasing prayer and communion with Christ the Lord:
Rejoice, you who show us the splendor of heavenly life;
Rejoice, you who urge us to purity of earthly life;
Rejoice, you who enlighten us toward humility;
Rejoice, you who show us the way: in the bowing of the heart before the Lord;
Rejoice, witnesses ever present at all that is done at the Heavenly Liturgy;
Rejoice, guardians of the Throne of God;
Rejoice, 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 10
You did not watch all these deeds motionless and inert, Holy 24 Elders, but you participated directly and timelessly you worship the One who sits on the Throne, glorifying Him: “We thank You, Lord God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, that You have taken Your great power and reign. Amen!” Alleluia!
Ikos 10
You shared in the vision of the 144,000 virgins who stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion, that is, in the Church of God, and who had the names of the Lamb and the Father written on their foreheads, and all sang a song before the four Holy Beasts and before you, Holy Elders, and we honor you with our small voices:
Rejoice, for you guard our spiritual and soulful virginity;
Rejoice, for you help us remain pure;
Rejoice, for you love us from Heaven as children;
Rejoice, for your gaze is upon the Father, but you share your love with us;
Rejoice, for you guide our hearts to receive unceasing prayer;
Rejoice, for you unite us in spirit with the Son, with the help of the Holy Mother;
Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 11
The uncreated Heavenly Liturgy is a foretaste of the great Supper that is to come, for the great multitude, you Holy Elders and the four Holy Animals sing to God Who sits on the Throne, and the heavenly voices proclaim the Wedding of the Lamb, for the Bride has prepared herself and clothed herself in bright white linen, and blessed are those who are called to the Supper of the Lamb: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
The Word of God came as a rider on a white horse, His eyes like a flame of fire, on His head many crowns with many names, clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and on His thigh was written the name: “King of kings and Lord of lords,” and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword, and you, the 24 Holy Elders, were witnesses to all these things:
Rejoice, you who fulfill the promises of those who overcome;
Rejoice, support against the powers of darkness;
Rejoice, you who strengthen us in the temptations of the last days;
Rejoice, you who pray to the Father to send us the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, you who intercede with the Son to take us to His right hand;
Rejoice, you who prepare the way of the Lamb in His Second Coming;
Rejoice, O 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 12
We humbly ask you, Holy 24 Elders, to teach us the new song of those who participate in the divine Heavenly Liturgy, that is, to acquire the Prayer of the Mind, which is the Liturgy of the Heart in the Kingdom of God that is within the worthy, and to be present at the brilliant Supper of the Bridegroom, bringing our souls purified from the world, passions, and sins as brides: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Bringing the Holy Liturgy from Heaven to earth, God has given us the delight of receiving the Most Holy Body and Blood of His Son, which is transformed inside the Altar of the Church built by the hands of the priest but through the work of the Holy Spirit, and we, filled with reverence and silence, can only say:
Rejoice, protectors of the Holy Liturgy on earth;
Rejoice, defenders of the Holy Altar in the Church of Christ on earth;
Rejoice, you who teach priests to perform the Holy Liturgy and all the services of the Church correctly;
Rejoice, you who stop lawlessness in the Altar;
Rejoice, you who sanctify those who are worthy;
Rejoice, for we humbly ask you to accept our prayers;
Rejoice, O 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 13
Holy 24 Elders, we tearfully ask you to forgive us for our boldness in bringing you these words of praise, and we ask you to fulfill the desire of our souls by bringing the Holy Liturgy of Heaven into our hearts, starting the timeless hour of prayer of the mind, teaching us the new song that is heard in the Heavenly Kingdom and interceding for us the mercy of God the Father: Alleluia! (This Kontakion is said 3 times).
Ikos 1
The work of the Holy Spirit, who obeys the Father, is fulfilled in pure hearts, and the clarity of the depths of the soul raises earthly understanding beyond what is seen, so that the Son of Man is revealed to those who live like Angels, and you, Holy 24 Elders, see the Lord Christ forever, but hear also these words from us:
Rejoice, Heavenly Beings;
Rejoice, Spirits of Light;
Rejoice, glorious witnesses of the Liturgy in Heaven;
Rejoice, those created with the Angelic Powers;
Rejoice, primordial beings of the Beginning;
Rejoice, you who will be forever, even after the Second Coming of Jesus;
Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Kontakion 1
To those who rejoice unceasingly in being part of the Liturgy of Heaven, delighting in the uncreated and deifying energy of the Holy Trinity, being an immediate part of the Holy Liturgy in Heaven, who hear and fulfill the Word of God unincarnate and then incarnate, we pray to the Holy 24 Elders. And you, Saints, who are so close to the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity, please accept these honors, for with love and humility we cry out to you: Rejoice, you 24 Holy Elders, pillars of Light of the Liturgy in Heaven, grant us your wisdom, protection, and blessed help!
Prayer:
Holy 24 Elders, who sit in Heaven on your thrones around the Holy Throne of the Most Holy Trinity wearing golden crowns on your heads, being part of the uncreated Divine Liturgy, ask God to make us worthy to enter into this uncreated Liturgy, for this is the starting point of the spiritual ascent toward the unhindered flight of the soul toward deification. Be with us when the prophecies of St. John the Evangelist in the Book of Revelation are fulfilled, that we may have the strength to overcome temptations for the Glory of God’s Name.
We ask you to open the door of the Kingdom of God for us, that we may enter the uncreated temple, that we may become co-celebrants in this heavenly liturgy, that we may be partakers of the company of the Holy Angels, Martyrs, and Saints, that we may rejoice in the great feast of the celebration, that we may be partakers of the heavenly liturgy, that we may be partakers of the company of the Holy Angels, Martyrs, and Saints, that we may rejoice in the great feast of the celebration, to enter the Wedding with the Lamb, to be partakers of His Supper, and to live forever in this joy.
Holy 24 Elders, let us also hear the call: “Let him who thirsts come, let him who desires take the water of life as a gift!” so that we may respond like the Holy Evangelist John: “Yes, I am coming soon. Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” and let us remain in a spirit of faith, patience, and humility, awaiting the Second Coming of Christ, longing for reunion and full communion with the Most Holy Trinity, with you and with the Heavenly Powers, singing the new song of uncreated prayer within us that is heard unceasingly in Heaven, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer to all Saints, for intercession at the Last Judgment
Who will not weep for me, who for a trifling pleasure despised the Kingdom of Heaven, disregarding the endless fire? Giving myself over to passions, I lost the worthiness of my soul and became like dumb beasts.
I once rested, enriched with divine gifts, but now I have come to love the poverty of passions. I have estranged myself from virtues, departing to the distant land of passions. I am more dead than alive, and the fragment of life remaining in me is small.
Having willingly made myself this way, I can no longer lift my eyes to the Merciful Lord. Weep, O pious and righteous ones, for me, who am overcome by passions and sins. Weep, O ascetics, for me, who am greedy with my belly and lover of pleasures.
Weep, you who are merciful and forgiving, for me, who am unmerciful and bitter.
Weep, you who are pleasing to God, for me, who have pleased men.
Weep, you who have attained gentleness, for me, the angry one.
Weep, you who are humble in thought, for me, the haughty and proud one.
Weep, you who have attained apostolic poverty, for me, the lover of material things and burdened with greed for wealth.
Weep, you who loved weeping and hated laughter, for me, who loved laughter and hated weeping.
Weep, you who keep in mind the Judgment after death, for me, who say that I remember the Judgment, but whose deeds show something completely different.
Pray, saints of God, for my soul, which is troubled by all kinds of passions: help me, saints of God, with whatever you can!
I know that if you ask the Lover of mankind, God, out of His great goodness, He will give you everything—and as He is a lover of mankind, so you, whom I, a sinner, ask, do not overlook my prayer, for I alone do not have the courage, because of the multitude of my sins.
Your work, saints, is to intercede for sinners; God’s work is to have mercy on the desperate.
Pray, therefore, Holy Ones of God, to the King for His servant; pray to the Shepherd for His sheep; pray to Life for the dead, that He may send a helping hand and strengthen my humble soul in its weakness. Amen.
Source of the akathist: https://acoperamantulmaiciidomnului.wordpress.com/2025/09/10/acatistul-celor-24-de-sfinti-batrani-din-liturghia-cerului/
