Akathist to Saint Jacob Netsvetov of Alaska

Kontakion 1

O Holy Father Yakov whose children number more than the stars in the northern sky, Whose life and teachings have become a ladder reaching from earth to heaven: Having wrestled with temptation and fought the good fight, you have become our valiant intercessor before the Lord our God. Pray to Him for us who venerate your sacred memory and who strive to continue your holy work as the New Israel in the New World of America, That we may sing with love and joy to you, the messenger of reconciliation and peace:

Rejoice O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Ikos 1

Born on the Island dedicated to the Holy Great Martyr George, O Father Yakov, you have become a warrior for Christ, vanquishing every temptation that arose within your heart and soul, bringing peace to a land where only violence had reigned, reconciling hostile tribes by preaching to them the Gospel of peace and forgiveness. You became a father of many nations as you baptized and enlightened thousands of people who had never known Jesus Christ, pastoring your scattered flock in the Aleutian Islands, the Yukon Delta and at New Archangel. In your humility, devotion, piety and perseverance, you have become the image of the perfect evangelist to us who stand before your holy icon and offer these praises to you:

Rejoice! First flower of the Alaskan wilderness!
Rejoice! First son of the Aleut nation called to the Holy Priesthood!
Rejoice! Joy of the Pribilof Islands!
Rejoice! Father of Atka and the Aleutian Archipelago!
Rejoice! Candle illuminating the Arctic night!
Rejoice! Light, kindling the flame of the Christian Faith in the north!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 2

From your youth, O blessed Yakov, your parents guided you on the path of salvation. Your childhood among your mother’s Aleut kinsmen prepared you well for your future missionary labors. Fluent in their ancient language, you also offered prayers to God in your father’s Slavic tongue. At an early age you joined the Aleut and Russian faithful, gathered in the chapel of St. George, singing: Alleluia

Ikos 2

Setting sail for Kamchatka, you continued across the frozen tundra of Siberia to the shores of Lake Baikal, to enroll at the seminary in glorious Irkutsk. You mastered theology in the city of St. Innocent, Enlightener of Siberia’s Native Peoples, and studied his respectful approach to their languages and cultural traditions. Returning to Russian America with your young bride, Anna Simeonova, you began your evangelical work at Atka, where today you are remembered with love:

Rejoice! Father of the Atkan church and its benefactor!
Rejoice! Baptizer of Aleut children and people!
Rejoice! Teacher of the Orthodox Faith in Russian America!
Rejoice! Beautiful adornment of the land of your ancestors!
Rejoice! Heroic missionary to the Peoples of the North!
Rejoice! Humble architect of the Orthodox Church in the Aleutian Islands!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 3

Learning of the labors of your friend and mentor St. Innocent, you devoted yourself to mastering his Aleut translation of the Gospel of St. Matthew. Adapting the text to the Atkan dialect, you proclaimed the Good News to your flock who sang: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

Following the example of St. Innocent, the future Metropolitan of Moscow, you established a school at Atka where children could learn to read in both Aleut and Russian. You translated Sacred Scripture and deepened their knowledge of God and His creation by your dedicated instruction. Enlightened by your teaching at church and in school, the people of Atka praise you with these words of thanksgiving:

Rejoice! Apostle to the New World!
Rejoice! Son of both Russia and America!
Rejoice! Faithful servant of Jesus Christ!
Rejoice! Adopted son of the Theotokos!
Rejoice! Your teaching endures as our spiritual legacy!
Rejoice! Your example inspires our evangelical labors!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 4

Recognizing your talents and devotion, the Holy Synod enlarged your district to include the Kurile Islands, far to the west. Sailing across the Bering Straits to evangelize the Native people there, you celebrated Divine Services aboard ship and in your tent-church, singing: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

O blessed Father Yakov! You endured the hazards of travel in the north throughout your entire life. Like the Holy Apostle Paul, you experienced storms at sea as well as temptation and persecution on land. You were constantly ill, bedridden for many days, unable to stand or to walk. You persevered through many hardships to bring the Light of Christ to your flock in remote villages and settlements, by the power of the glorified and resurrected Lord, you continued your apostolic ministry in Alaska, where you are remembered today in songs of praise:

Rejoice! You suffered many temptations and fears!
Rejoice! You triumphed over them by the Grace of God!
Rejoice! You sailed tempestuous seas like the Holy Apostles!
Rejoice! You received the power of the Holy Spirit as they did on Pentecost!
Rejoice! Long Suffering servant of the Lord!
Rejoice! Patient pastor and humble teacher!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 5

Returning again to your home at Atka, you offered thanks to God for your safe journey. Warmed by the love of your flock and your family, you renewed your dedication to the service of the Lord, constructing a holy church and writing the icons for it yourself as the temple was dedicated in the name of St. Nicholas of Myra in Lycia, you sang thankfully to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

Your life, O holy Father, was filled with disappointment, hardship and tragedy. Your wife Anna became ill and died at the hospital in Sitka. Your house at Atka burned and your nephew Vasily, whom you loved as a son, also suddenly died, leaving you homeless and alone. Your desire was to enter monastic life, but there was no one to replace you. You obediently remained in the Aleutians for twenty years, where today you are remembered with gratitude:

Rejoice! You accepted and endured all things as decreed by the Lord!
Rejoice! You loved Him with all your mind, soul and heart!
Rejoice! You persevered in times of tribulation and need!
Rejoice! You triumphed over temptation, depression and fear!
Rejoice! Lamp, illuminating the household of Faith!
Rejoice! Light glowing with love and humility!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 6

Traveling throughout the Aleutians by kayak, you erected your tent-church in camps, temporary settlements and villages, preaching, teaching, encouraging, and confirming your spiritual children in the Orthodox Faith. They were amazed at your energy and dedication and loved you as their faithful guide and father, praising God with the song: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

Having established the True Faith in your native land, you were transferred to another region and entrusted with an even greater task. St. Innocent, as your bishop, appointed you to the new mission station on the Yukon River, where you began the evangelization of the Yup’ik Eskimos. You studied their language and began the work of enlightening them with the help of many Aleuts who had settled among them. Throughout western Alaska the Yup’ik people celebrate your memory with these words:

Rejoice! Enlightener of the Yukon Delta!
Rejoice! Joy of the Aleut and Eskimo nations!
Rejoice! Educator and guide to the Peoples of the North!
Rejoice! Instructor and teacher of children and elders!
Rejoice! Baptizer of the Yukon and Kuskokwim!
Rejoice! Sanctifier of the forests, lakes and tundra!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 7

You founded the parish of the Elevation of the Holy Cross and built the first Christian temple on the banks of the Yukon. Writing many icons for the church yourself, you glorified God for the fervent faith of your spiritual children whom you taught to sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

The Athabaskan Indians, whose homeland lies in the heartland of Alaska, heard of your mission work among their Eskimo neighbors and invited you to visit them. Paddling upstream, you reached their settlement at Shageluk in three days, and preached the Word of God to them. You counted over a hundred canoes, kayaks and boats converging on the river, where you baptized more than three hundred souls. Their descendents today glorify you:

Rejoice! Heroic missionary to the Indian peoples!
Rejoice! Herald of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation!
Rejoice! You brought the divine message of love to warring enemies!
Rejoice! You united them to Christ and to each other as they accepted the Orthodox Faith!
Rejoice! They requested Holy Baptism in the Shageluk River!
Rejoice! They received the Heavenly Bread and the Cup of Life from your hands!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 8

United in truth and in love, the Athabaskan peoples embraced the Orthodox Faith and ended centuries of inter-tribal strife and violence. You became blessed as a child of God, preaching the Gospel of Peace and reconciling former enemies who exclaimed in wonder and joy: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

Traveling across the frozen tundra by dog sled, you struggled to visit the Eskimo settlements in the delta region. You discovered the site of St. Juvenaly’s martyrdom and asked his intercessions for your apostolic labors. Your missionary endeavors required you to risk your health and safety as you persevered for nearly twenty more years on the shores of the Bering Sea, where we celebrate your memory in song:

Rejoice! Evangelist illuminating the northern sky!
Rejoice! Missionary to distant lands and peoples!
Rejoice! Physician of souls and bodies!
Rejoice! Archpriest, true shepherd and humble pastor!
Rejoice! Missionary of reconciliation!
Rejoice! Preacher of the Good News of eternal salvation!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 9

Ill-stricken with fever and bodily weakness, with no one to care for you, bedridden for weeks, unable to stand or walk, you remained steadfast in faith, persevering in hope, constant in prayer. Rising from your bed you managed to celebrate the divine services of Holy Week and Pascha. Transformed and renewed by the joy of the Resurrection, you cried out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

St. Innocent, your bishop, appreciated your talents and dedication, conferred and consulted with you about the progress of the mission in Alaska and recognized your accomplishments. Others were jealous or ignorant of your true character and unjustly attacked you. Knowing of your remarkable humility and patience, we sing with love to you:

Rejoice! You prayed for those who criticized and slandered you!
Rejoice! You followed the Lord’s command and example and forgave them all!
Rejoice! You blessed those who cursed you!
Rejoice! You did good to those who attacked and offended you!
Rejoice! Perfect image of Christian charity!
Rejoice! Icon of Christ and His faithful servant!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 10

As formerly at Atka, the Eskimo children at the Yukon mission attended your school, where they learned to read the Holy Scriptures and sing sacred hymns in their own language. Celebrating the Liturgy in Slavonic, Greek and Yup’ik, you taught all to praise God also in Hebrew: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

For nearly forty years you dwelt in the Alaskan wilderness, serving Jesus Christ as a modern apostle. You brought healing to the sick as an elder of the Church, fulfilling the instructions of your apostolic namesake, James. Because of your missionary labors and the miraculous cures that accompanied your ministry, accept these hymns of thanksgiving from our unworthy lips:

Rejoice! Physician of bodies and healer of souls!
Rejoice! Teacher of pastors and guide of the Faithful!
Rejoice! You were inspired by the joy of the Resurrection!
Rejoice! You ascended the ladder that reaches to Heaven!
Rejoice! You endured evil attacks and forgave all your foes!
Rejoice! In forgiving your enemies you were forgiven your sins!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 11

Having founded and nurtured the parish on the Yukon, you trained local leaders to succeed you and continue your holy work. Some became singers, others readers, and still others priests, who sang with the angels: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

Summoned to Sitka to answer unjust accusations against you, you left the land of the Eskimo people and entered the territory of the Tlingit. You spent the last years of your earthly life serving them in their chapel and preaching the Word of God to them. Today, they join us in singing these praises to you:

Rejoice! Apostle to all Alaska!
Rejoice! Father of the Native Peoples!
Rejoice! Teacher and guide by your words and example!
Rejoice! Your heroic life inspires us all!
Rejoice! True son of St. Herman and St. Innocent!
Rejoice! Faithful and humble servant of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 12

While in Sitka, you located the grave site of your beloved wife and erected a fitting memorial to her. You lived in the All-Colonial School during your final years, offering your knowledge and wisdom to another generation of future missionaries. With simplicity and humility, you prepared new laborers for the plentiful harvest. Through them we have become your spiritual children, and praise God for your faithful ministry in Alaska, singing: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

O Holy Father Yakov, you fell asleep in the Lord and were buried in a place of honor, at the doors of the Tlingit chapel you had served. The Aleuts, Russians, Creoles, Athabascan, as well as the Yup’ik and Tlingit nations today celebrate your memory:

Rejoice! Spiritual Father of many nations!
Rejoice! Humble pastor and preacher of peace!
Rejoice! The seas, forests, mountains and tundra sing your praises!
Rejoice! Heaven and earth celebrate your apostolic accomplishments!
Rejoice! Our intercessor, guide and healer!
Rejoice! Our example and inspiration!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 13

Beyond Alaska you were forgotten for more than a hundred years, but your spiritual children kept the memory of your heroic apostolic ministry alive in their hearts. Today you are glorified by the Orthodox Church in America as a modern Apostle. Pray, O Holy Father Yakov, that inspired by your dedication, patience, humility and Paschal joy, we may worthily continue the sacred work to which you dedicated your entire life, that together with you, in the Kingdom of Heaven we may join the angelic choir, singing: Alleluia!

(Repeat the above Kontakion 13, 3 times)
(Then continue below)

Ikos 1

Born on the Island dedicated to the Holy Great Martyr George, O Father Yakov, you have become a warrior for Christ, vanquishing every temptation that arose within your heart and soul, bringing peace to a land where only violence had reigned, reconciling hostile tribes by preaching to them the Gospel of peace and forgiveness. You became a father of many nations as you baptized and enlightened thousands of people who had never known Jesus Christ, pastoring your scattered flock in the Aleutian Islands, the Yukon Delta and at New Archangel. In your humility, devotion, piety and perseverance, you have become the image of the perfect evangelist to us who stand before your holy icon and offer these praises to you:

Rejoice! First flower of the Alaskan wilderness!
Rejoice! First son of the Aleut nation called to the Holy Priesthood!
Rejoice! Joy of the Pribilof Islands!
Rejoice! Father of Atka and the Aleutian Archipelago!
Rejoice! Candle illuminating the Arctic night!
Rejoice! Light, kindling the flame of the Christian Faith in the north!
Rejoice! O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!

Kontakion 1

O Holy Father Yakov whose children number more than the stars in the northern sky, Whose life and teachings have become a ladder reaching from earth to heaven: Having wrestled with temptation and fought the good fight, you have become our valiant intercessor before the Lord our God. Pray to Him for us who venerate your sacred memory and who strive to continue your holy work as the New Israel in the New World of America, That we may sing with love and joy to you, the messenger of reconciliation and peace:

Rejoice O Holy Father Yakov, Baptizer and Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska!