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: Akathists to Prophets and Old Testament Saints, Prophets
Translators Note: I was not initially planning on translating this Akathist. Mainly because I am not really a fan, personally, of this text. We all have different favourite prayers. This one, unlike the other Romanian Akathist already in English, is not one of mine. Mainly because in this Akathist the focus is not so much on Elijah being a Forerunner of the Second Coming of Christ – which is something the Romanian Akathist focuses on and which is my favourite part. Elijah’s coming as a preacher of Christ before the End is mentioned only a few times in this text.
As a fun fact, it seems that in the Byzantine World right now there are only two Akathists dedicated to Prophet Elijah: a Romanian one and a Russian one. At least according to Mother Eliane Poirot, who wrote a whole book about “The Saint Prophet Elijah in the Byzantine Cult” and which was translated into Romanian and published in Romania. Her book is where I’m taking the text of the Russian Akathist.
It’s interesting to see that according to this, the vast majority of the world adopted the Romanian Akathist as the mainline text to Saint Elijah. Supposedly the Greeks even did so. If, however, it turns out that there is another Akathist dedicated to Elijah of Greek origin, I would like for people to point that out to me so that eventually that text might translated into English as well. Then there would be three different Akathists to Saint Elijah in English: the Romanian one, the Russian one and the Greek one.
Though I was not a fan of this text, in the end I thought, “Who knows, maybe someone will see this and will prefer this text over the standard text/standard Akathist (the Romanian one) to Saint Elijah.” I also thought that the more prayers to Saint Elijah in English the better. There is also value to this (translation and text) from a purely historical point of view.
Thus I changed my mind and decided to translate it.
Hope it will be appreciated.
This Akathist is of Monastic Origin(s). Though we cannot exactly know when it originated, it is most probable that it was already in existence by at least the year 1536.
Kontakion 1
O God’s chosen one and most wonderful Prophet Elijah, great forerunner, fervent intercessor and healer of the souls and bodies of Christians, since we lack the boldness to approach the Lord, deliver us all from the enemy’s temptations, we who sing to you: Rejoice, Elijah, glorious Prophet!
Ikos 1
Companion of the angels, Prophet Elijah, shining entirely with the divine light, you enlighten all who praise you and honour your holy memory! Therefore, as we too sing a hymn of praise, we cry out to you: Rejoice, O great one of Tishbe;
Rejoice, O glorious teacher of the prophets.
Rejoice, O radiant sun who illuminates the faithful;
Rejoice, O star who bears the light of the world.
Rejoice, O key to the heavenly clouds;
Rejoice, O exaltation of our earthly failings.
Rejoice, thou who delivered the wicked prophets of Baal to destruction;
rejoice, zealous preacher of divine truth.
Rejoice, thou who teachest us salvation;
Rejoice, thou who bestowest joy upon the faithful.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 2
From the very moment of your birth, O Prophet Elijah, your father and mother saw men clad in white, swaddling you in swaddling clothes of fire and nourishing you with the flame of fire; whereupon, marvelling and glorifying God, they cried out: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Grant me understanding, O Prophet Elijah, the second forerunner of Christ’s coming, that I may offer you, as is fitting, praise from my unworthy lips for your ascension to heaven in a chariot of fire and on the wings of the wind, saying to you thus: Rejoice, thou who led an angelic life upon earth;
Rejoice, thou who rejoices for ever in heavenly glory.
Rejoice, praise of the prophets;
Rejoice, eloquent honour of God’s righteous ones.
Rejoice, thou who in a marvellous way bestows healing upon the faithful;
Rejoice, radiant light of the sun’s brightness.
Rejoice, such a great wonder to the angels;
rejoice, man of the heavenly court.
Rejoice, earthly angel,
Rejoice, light and sweetness of the faithful.
Rejoice, guide and leader of the blind.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 3
A star shining with light, you have appeared to the world, O Prophet Elijah, burning like fire upon the unbelievers, yet illuminating the hearts of the faithful who glorify the one God and sing to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
The whole world finds in you a fervent protector, a marvellous helper, a defender of the faithful in their tribulations, ever ready to heed their calls; for this we cry out to you with gratitude: Rejoice, great prophet of God;
rejoice, beauty and glory of the unchanging light;
Rejoice, radiant dawn of God’s light.
Rejoice, incarnate angel of God;
Rejoice, deliverance from tribulations and temptations;
Rejoice, valiant vanquisher of sorrow;
Rejoice, comfort of those who love God;
Rejoice, you who kindle the hearts of the devout with love for God.
Rejoice, you who pray boldly to God on their behalf;
Rejoice, swift deliverer from evil.
Rejoice, salvation of the souls of the faithful.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 4
You who, in Zarephath of Sidon, delivered a widow and her children from famine by miraculously multiplying their oil and flour, you who raised her son from the dead through your prayer, holy prophet: deliver us from famine and from unjust and untimely death, we who sing to you: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
Shining Sun, radiant golden torch, holy prophet Elijah, with your light you illuminate the piety of all those who come to you in faith, and you bestow mercy upon those who glorify you. Therefore, as we glorify you, we sing to you: Rejoice, divine torch that illuminates the whole world,
rejoice, bold preacher of the one true God.
Rejoice, you who openly rebuked Ahab, the unjust king of Israel;
rejoice, you who beheld the coming of God in the earthquake and in the gentle breeze.
Rejoice, fulfilment of the prophets;
rejoice, great joy of the righteous.
Rejoice, spiritual comfort of those who suffer;
rejoice, mighty defender of the afflicted.
Rejoice, marvellous guide of those at sea;
rejoice, healing of the sick.
Rejoice, zealous defender of widows.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 5
Holy Elijah, desiring to save the unbelievers and lead them to the true faith, you ascended Mount Carmel with them and there, offering a sacrifice to God, caused fire to fall from heaven, whereupon, putting to shame those who did not believe in the one God, you commanded them all to sing to the Almighty God: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
The people saw and marvelled at how you brought down fire from heaven upon the burnt offering, how you slew the false prophets of Baal and those shameful deceivers, and how, at your word, fire from heaven consumed the two leaders and their fifty men, along with the fifty men of their own, because of their wickedness. And we, hearing of these wonders, cry out to you:
Rejoice, you who punish the unbelievers;
rejoice, warrior who slays those who blaspheme the true God.
Rejoice, you who bring ruin upon the wicked prophets;
Rejoice, you who command the rain-bearing clouds.
Rejoice, you who through your prayer lock the clouds of heaven and unlock them again;
Rejoice, you generous bestower of good things upon the faithful.
Rejoice, you who have beheld unspeakable mysteries;
Rejoice, destroyer of devilish spells.
Rejoice, you who parted the waters of the Jordan with your cloak.
Rejoice, revealer of all the wicked.
Rejoice, radiant beauty of God’s temple.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 6
You who once proclaimed to King Ahab and his greedy and cruel wife Jezebel the righteous judgement of God for the unjust murder of Naboth of Jezreel, who refused to give them the inheritance of his forefathers, O divine Prophet Elijah, defend us from every temptation and onslaught of the enemy, so that, protected by you, we may sing to you: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Filled with divine zeal, you rebuked the wicked King Ahab and his wife, who was guilty of the unjust murder of Naboth, proclaiming to them God’s righteous judgement: that dogs would devour them in the land of Jezreel; for this reason, holy prophet, we cry out to you: Rejoice, herald of divine vengeance;
rejoice, you who severely punish the wicked;
rejoice, mighty defender of the oppressed;
Rejoice, longed-for refuge of those unjustly persecuted.
Rejoice, comfort of those who suffer;
Rejoice, protector against the troubles and evils that befall us.
Rejoice, conqueror of our visible and invisible enemies;
Rejoice, you who, through your prayers, soothe our sufferings.
Rejoice, you who, through your prayers, turn away from us the righteous wrath of God;
rejoice, for with your help the passions of our soul and body are subdued.
Rejoice, for through your intercession our petitions are heard.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 7
Having enlightened the people with the radiant rays of true faith and virtue, you were taken up from earth to heaven in a chariot of fire, Saint Elijah; and there, dwelling with the angels in unspeakable joy, pray to God for us who sing to you: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Foundation of the prophets, luminous torch of the world, Elijah, herald of God, who by your word held back every drop from the clouds, who openly rebuked the wicked servants of idols, and who wast majestically taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, we praise you, crying out: Rejoice, companion of the angels;
rejoice, you who, through your prayer, lock and unlock the clouds of heaven.
Rejoice, you who parted the waters of the Jordan with your cloak;
rejoice, you who were lifted up in a chariot of fire to the heights of heaven.
Rejoice, you who received from God a double portion of grace for the prophet Elisha;
rejoice, you who never depart from the throne of divine glory.
Rejoice, you who, from on high, bless the faithful people on earth;
Rejoice, thou who causes the cloud of the knowledge of God to rain down upon the faithful.
Rejoice, thou who joyfully and abundantly waters all who come to thee in faith;
Rejoice, thou who ever intercedes for those who suffer and await thy help.
Rejoice, thou who bestowest healing upon those who call upon thee.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 8
Knowing of your marvellous translation from earth to heaven, Elijah, glorious prophet, we pray that you may help us to turn away from the vanities of this world, to learn to do what is good and pleasing to God, and to sing to Him with worthiness: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
You are a swift intercessor for us in the sufferings of soul and body, O divine Prophet Elijah! Through your protection, the faithful overcome the disturbances of the enemy and the temptations of sin; for this we sing to you from the heart: Rejoice, most glorified one of Tishbe;
Rejoice, generous bestower of good things upon the faithful.
Rejoice, teacher of the spiritual life;
Rejoice, you who calm the passions of the flesh.
Rejoice, guardian of virtue;
Rejoice, marvellous refuge for those who suffer from hunger.
Rejoice, thou who drive away the devil’s temptations;
rejoice, destroyer of the devil’s spells.
Rejoice, thou who put to shame all iniquity;
rejoice, marvellous friend of God’s servants.
Rejoice, pillar of fire, who lead us to heaven towards the Lord.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 9
All of humanity is amazed by your wondrous life in the wilderness, O divine prophet, and Saint Onuphrius, hearing of it, went into the wilderness and, having spent sixty-three years there in prayer and fasting, set out for the heavenly Jerusalem, crying out to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
O Holy Elijah, you delivered this prophecy to Ahaziah, the wicked king of Israel, whilst he was ill: ‘You shall not rise again from the bed on which you lie, but you shall die, for you have done what is evil in the sight of the Lord and have offered sacrifice to the detestable Baal’; and Ahaziah died in his wickedness. Therefore, knowing these things, we cry out to you: Rejoice, prophet inspired by God;
rejoice, zealous for the glory of God.
Rejoice, unyielding exposer of the detestable worshippers of idols;
rejoice, you who powerfully strike fear into the hearts of deceivers.
Rejoice, you who lead those who wandered in darkness along the path of truth;
rejoice, you who humble the proud.
Rejoice, you who teach the commandments of God;
rejoice, you who, on your way to Mount Horeb, were miraculously fed by the angel of God.
Rejoice, you who, at God’s command, anointed Elisha as prophet in your stead;
rejoice, you who were a guiding light to this prophet.
Rejoice, for your word, like a burning lamp, sheds its light far and wide.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 10
Deliver from all enmity and all suffering, O Saintly One, those who run with faith to your mighty protection; for you have boldness before the Almighty Lord, and through your intercession you can deliver from all evil and all suffering those who cry out to God with love: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
We have in you a mighty wall of defence, protector and fervent intercessor before God, crown of the prophets! We offer praise and thanksgiving to the boundless mercy of the Lord, and to you, our ever-faithful intercessor, we offer this hymn: Rejoice, mighty protector of those on earth;
Rejoice, swift-hearer of those who run to you in faith.
Rejoice, you who boldly bear our prayer to the Most High;
rejoice, you who fervently protect those in distress.
Rejoice, you who defend the faithful from all enemies;
rejoice, you who swiftly drive away from us the cloud of passions, sufferings and misfortunes.
Rejoice, for through your prayers our good desires are granted;
rejoice, you who lift up those who fall;
Rejoice, thou who set aright those who are led astray.
Rejoice, hope and strength of the despairing.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 11
All our singing is not enough to praise thee as is fitting, Elijah, great prophet! From heaven you look down, and through your intercession you win for us divine grace, rejoicing in eternal and ineffable glory in the radiant splendour of the One God in the Trinity, to Whom, together with the angelic powers and all the saints, we sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Unquenchable torch that illuminates those in the darkness of life, we behold you, glorious Prophet Elijah, lifted up in a chariot of fire from earth to heaven, where you stand before the throne of the King of all, and, shining with the rays of His divine glory, you enlighten the faithful. For this we cry out to you:
Rejoice, O prophet illuminated by the immaterial dawn of God’s light;
rejoice, O you who, for your virtues, were carried on a chariot of fire to the highest dwellings.
Rejoice, thou who dwellest in heaven beside the thrice-radiant Light;
rejoice, beholder of Christ’s glory on Mount Tabor.
Rejoice, forerunner of Christ’s Second Coming;
rejoice, thou who teachest the divine commandments and ordinances.
Rejoice, guide of those who have sinned;
rejoice, model for hermits and those who fast.
Rejoice, for you teach us patience, self-control and purity.
Rejoice, you who guide our minds to contemplate the things above;
Rejoice, you who kindle our corrupt and feeble will for good with that which is pleasing to God.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 12
Grant grace from God the Almighty and Merciful Creator to those who praise you, Saint Elijah, glorious prophet, that we may ever faithfully follow His commandments and ordinances, and through your intercession, protect those who sing your praises from all needs and troubles, O generous bestower of all that is good: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Singing and glorifying the wonders through which the Creator of heaven and earth has exalted you throughout the world, most reverent among the prophets, great Elijah, we praise you and cry out to you: Rejoice, inspired seer and infallible herald of the unspeakable things of God;
Rejoice, forerunner, glorious beauty of the prophets.
Rejoice, resplendent precious stone who adorns the world with angelic virtues;
Rejoice, you who were marvellously transferred, without dying, from earth to the heavenly abodes.
Rejoice, companion of God’s heavenly hosts;
rejoice, fervent intercessor and protector of all faithful servants of the Triune and One God.
Rejoice, you who grant faithful kings victory over their enemies;
Rejoice, mighty protector against enemies both seen and unseen.
Rejoice, living and abundant spring, who refreshes those who are in the furnace of sin;
Rejoice, for through you true faith is strengthened.
Rejoice, for through your intercession the faithful are made worthy of every good thing from God.
Rejoice, Elijah, glorious prophet!
Kontakion 13
Great and radiant light of the world, Elijah, prophet of God! Receive our prayer and beseech the Lord to deliver us from all opposition, tribulation, suffering and eternal damnation, through your intercession pleasing to God, so that, together with you, we may rejoice for ever and sing: Alleluia!
This kontakion is repeated 3 times.
And then again Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 and then this prayer afterwards:
Great prophet and seer of God, Elijah, renowned friend of God, who wast taken up from the earth in a chariot of fire to the heavenly abodes, to you we turn and beseech you: deliver us, through your prayers, from all sorrow of soul and body. Stand before the throne of the King and Lord of heaven and earth through your intercession, swift comforter of the afflicted, healer of the sick, refuge of the oppressed, defender of widows and orphans. You who once, in times of trouble, stood by travellers and sailors. You who once closed the heavens over Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, causing it not to rain for three years and six months, and who, again through prayer, caused the life-giving rain to fall once more upon the parched earth, pray to Almighty God to water our fields and gardens with sufficient rain and the warmth of the sun’s rays at the right time, to protect them through His mercy from the scorching heat and endless rain, from cold and storms, from hail and destructive locusts, and to bestow a bountiful harvest upon the land. You who, in Zarephath of Sidon, miraculously fed a widow and her children during the famine, and who, through your prayer, raised to life the widow’s son who had died, deliver us too, through your zealous intercession, from famine, from every misfortune and from unjust death. Grant us true and sincere remorse and repentance for our sins, and ask the most merciful God to grant us forgiveness; help us to avoid all sin in future so that, living in this life according to God’s will, we may be deemed worthy to be in the Kingdom of Heaven together with you, our defender, and to glorify the One God in the Trinity for ever and ever. Amen.
SOURCE:
https://edituradeisis.ro/magazin/sfantul-proroc-ilie-in-cultul-bizantin/
This book is not translated into English, unfortunately. But I am going to translate the Table of Contents of the book for those interested in it and for people to get a small impression of what the book is and what it contains:
