Akathist to Akathist to the Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus

Kontakion 1

Chosen by Christ God, who rose in the flesh from the dead, as a testimony to the whole world of the universal resurrection, you wondrous youths of Ephesus, glorify the Lord who was glorified in you, and we bring to you hymns of praise, saying:

Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Ikos 1

The Creator of angels, knowing from the beginning your unwavering firmness in confession, made you, in harsh circumstances, to be heralds of the universal resurrection, as angel-like witnesses of the Gospel promise. Marveling at such divine care for us, with reverence we cry:

Rejoice, bright stars of the coming resurrection;
Rejoice, glorious rays of Christ the Savior who is risen.
Rejoice, dawn of the great day of the Lord;
Rejoice, who appeared as faithful children of Christ from the homes of unbelievers.
Rejoice, called into the wondrous light and freedom of the sons of the resurrection;
Rejoice, chosen by the Holy Spirit to be preachers of the word of eternal life.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 2

Seeing that you possessed good understanding, your parents sought to place you in the military ranks of the king’s army; but you, despising all the corruptible things of the world, directed your hearts to the heavenly King in the upper Zion, so that you might be counted as friends of God and ministers of the mystery of the universal resurrection, singing to Christ: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Having been made worthy to receive the mind of Christ with pure souls, O wondrous youths, you were preserved by Christ’s grace in the midst of a sinful life among your peers, becoming brothers in love and unity of spirit, and were united in one purpose. Therefore, accept from us these praises:

Rejoice, reborn through the one font of the new life;
Rejoice, united as brothers by the love of Christ.
Rejoice, beloved children of the Church of God;
Rejoice, companions of the angels of God.
Rejoice, who nourished yourselves with the true Bread of Life more than with natural food;
Rejoice, who by this nourishment through the grace of the Holy Spirit blossomed from death into life.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 3

The power of the Most High, strengthening the initiates of grace in their sufferings, made them worthy to be crowned with the victorious crown of confession before men and angels, and taught us to sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

You made it your custom, saints, to come every day to the house of the Lord for prayer, and you never abandoned this habit, even during the persecution of Decius; seeing this, the enemies of Christ’s faith hastened to inform the emperor. However, the persecutor’s threats were turned by the power of God into your glorification. Rejoicing in such divine providence concerning you, we say with tenderness:

Rejoice, who by the grace of Christ crushed the dark powers of the prince of this world;
Rejoice, who utterly shamed the malice and deceit of his servants.
Rejoice, who neither feared their plots and threats nor were troubled by them;
Rejoice, who were visibly strengthened by the help of God.
Rejoice, who, like Daniel of old in the lions’ den, were preserved in the midst of your tormentors;
Rejoice, who by the Lord’s power were brought forth unharmed from among them.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 4

Driven by a storm of wrath, the impious emperor Decius, in anger, questioned the saints: “Why were you not with us at the feast of the gods, to which the whole world was summoned?” To him Maximilian, one of the seven, replied: “We have one God and King, who is in heaven, and to Him we offer a continual sacrifice of praise, confession, and prayer,” singing to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing how boldly you confessed your faith, the impious king ordered that you be stripped of your military honors, and thus your trials for Christ began—transformed by Christ into a wondrous and swift passing into rest. Therefore, now also ask from God strength in trials for those who sing:

Rejoice, warriors of an earthly king, counted among the army of the Heavenly King;
Rejoice, who forsook earthly honor to receive heavenly glory.
Rejoice, deprived of worldly rank for Christ;
Rejoice, who for this were crowned with incorruptible crowns by Him.
Rejoice, revealed as heralds of His victory;
Rejoice, sevenfold radiance of His eternal glory.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 5

Warmed by the fire of divine love, and hidden by the grace of Christ from your tormentors, you appeared, holy youths—Maximilian, Iamblichus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus, and Antoninus—combining the beauty of the inner man with outward comeliness in your youth, and like angels, you sang to God in the fire of your confession: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing your exceedingly noble youthfulness, the wicked and cunning emperor Decius granted you a few days of release from bonds, hoping to entice you to deny Christ. But you, returning to your homes, hastened to distribute silver and gold to the poor, preparing yourselves for your departure. For this, we offer you these praises:

Rejoice, who moved the cruel tormentor hardened in evil to show some mercy;
Rejoice, who by your childlike meekness for a time quenched his cunning malice.
Rejoice, who with the beauty of sons of light captivated the foul servants of sin;
Rejoice, who by the grace of the Holy Spirit utterly shamed their deceit.
Rejoice, who through the giving away of earthly riches became enriched with heavenly treasure;
Rejoice, who teach us also to give to God, that we may find unfailing riches in heaven.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 6

The cave of Mount Ochlon proclaims your wondrous glory, holy youths, for its wilderness and caverns became fragrant through your prayers; and from there, you shone forth like stars of heavenly glory from the darkness of the tombs, appearing on the firmament of the Church and teaching us to sing to Christ God, the Originator of the universal resurrection: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Wishing to shine the light of truth upon the people and to dispel the darkness of error, Christ God allowed you to descend into the darkness of the tomb, so that later, in your wondrous resurrection, He might confirm the general resurrection. Bowing before such divine favor toward you, we send up these praises:

Rejoice, delivered from torment by God’s providence for the firmness of your confession;
Rejoice, who teach us also to stand strong for the truth.
Rejoice, who completed your struggle without pain;
Rejoice, who rested in a wondrous sleep, to dispel the darkness of error by rising from this sleep of death.
Rejoice, whose bodies were preserved incorrupt by the Lord;
Rejoice, who rose before the general resurrection by God’s will.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 7

The godless emperor, seeking to compel the saints to idol worship by pressure, again arranged a pagan feast and ordered that they be brought to it. But when his servants could not find them in the city of Ephesus, he tried to frighten their parents with punishment. Yet, being informed by them that the saints had hidden in a cave, he sang to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

A new surge of evil malice was revealed to the world when the parents of the saints disclosed to the emperor the place of their children’s rest, thus renouncing fatherly love for them. Therefore, we say to God’s chosen ones:

Rejoice, rejected by the world and received by heaven;
Rejoice, given up by earthly fathers for the sake of the Heavenly Father.
Rejoice, wondrously preserved in mystical sleep by the love of the Heavenly Father;
Rejoice, who received incorruption and illuminated the world with the light of the resurrection.
Rejoice, who show us the path to this wondrous light;
Rejoice, who sweeten the hour of death with the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 8

A strange and most glorious miracle of God’s omnipotence was revealed in you, holy youths: sealed in a cave with a stone by order of Decius, and marked with a seal, you remained there asleep for one hundred and eighty years until the days of Emperor Theodosius; and rising as if alive, you shamed the reasoning of the Sadducees, singing to Christ, who raised you: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

The whole assembly of the seven confessors, though shut in a stone tomb, was never separated from eternal life; and when one hundred and eighty years had passed, sleep was lifted from their eyes by God’s will, and thus the holy youths rose alive, confirming the entire world in the resurrection of all and teaching us to sing:

Rejoice, who confirm the hope of the general resurrection by God’s promise;
Rejoice, who were shut in a tomb with a stone because of Christ, the Cornerstone.
Rejoice, who were sealed with a seal for the sake of Him who was sealed in the tomb;
Rejoice, who were freed from the bonds of death by the Lamb who took upon Himself the sin of the world.
Rejoice, brought forth from the tomb, like Lazarus four days dead, as proof of the general resurrection;
Rejoice, you who resemble the seven cherubim who stand before the throne of God’s glory.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 9

All the angelic hosts rejoiced at your wondrous rising after many years and were astonished: how is it that you, not knowing of the glorious miracle that had happened to you, greeted one another with the usual kiss and offered morning praise to the Lord as if you had only just fallen asleep yesterday, singing: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The eloquent tongue cannot express Your wonders, O Lord, for we know how the blessed youth Iamblichus, not understanding the length of his sleep, went into the city for food and was amazed when he saw Ephesus enlightened by the faith of Christ from ancient times, and he glorified the Lord, causing us to say such things:

Rejoice, laborers in the Lord’s field, who shed abundant tears in prayer;
Rejoice, who rested in poverty and persecution, and rose in glory and richness.
Rejoice, gladdened by the sight of the triumph of Christ’s faith in your once-persecuted days;
Rejoice, who clearly saw Christ’s victory over the world.
Rejoice, who teach us to hope in this victory.
Rejoice, who protect us from despair;
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 10

Wishing to save and establish the people in faith, God taught through the old coin brought to the marketplace by Iamblichus after many years of sleep. The bishop of the city understood, and glorified God with a song: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You appeared as a wall and confirmation of the faith, O saints, to those who came to your cave and found the chest with a scroll upon which your names and the manner of your falling asleep were written, causing all to sing:

Rejoice, seven chosen vessels of God;
Rejoice, anointed with the oil of gladness together with the holy martyrs.
Rejoice, seven lamps before the throne of the Mediator between God and man;
Rejoice, seven trumpets of the gospel of the Second Coming of the Son of Man.
Rejoice, seven angels who proclaim to us the glory prepared for those who endure to the end;
Rejoice, golden seven-branched candlestick adorning the Church of God.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 11

Offering a hymn of thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity, the pious Emperor Theodosius hastened with zeal to Ephesus to see the holy youths, and remained there for seven days, until they bowed their heads and gave their souls to the Lord, together raising a victorious hymn to Christ God: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

You appeared, holy youths, as lamps driving away the darkness of heresy, shining with the light of incorruption, and by your blessed sleep after rising, confirmed the truth of the life to come. For having shamed the reasoning of the Sadducees, you calmed all church disputes, affirming the general resurrection together with the ancient Lazarus. Therefore, giving thanks to the Lord for this, we cry to you with tenderness:

Rejoice, who brighten our sorrowful life with good hope;
Rejoice, who guide us amidst the waves of this life to the heavenly haven.
Rejoice, like stars, leading us into the blessed rest in Christ’s bridal chamber;
Rejoice, who proclaim the eternal blessedness prepared for those who mourn.
Rejoice, who assure us that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come;
Rejoice, who became good messengers of the heavenly kingdom.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 12

Grace was given to you by God to guide all who love and honor you into His wondrous light. Therefore, enlighten also the sorrowful path of our life with the firm hope of the resurrection, preserve us from the destruction of sin, and stand beside us at the hour of death, that through your intercession we, though sinners, may attain the unending light of God’s majesty, where with the ranks of the righteous we shall sing to God about you: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing of the marvelous glorification of God’s power in you, holy youths, we bless you as intercessors and our supplicants before the Lord, and with love, standing before your holy icon, we cry out these praises:

Rejoice, praise and stronghold of the town of Staritsa in the Russian land;
Rejoice, who filled all the surrounding villages with the glory of your gracious help.
Rejoice, refuge and healing of sick children;
Rejoice, true comfort for the sorrows of their parents.
Rejoice, protection and shelter for all who love and honor you;
Rejoice, help and intercession for the whole Christian world.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 13

O wondrous youths, who shine with the light of heavenly glory and confirm endless life, lighting up the sorrowful path of our lives! Accept this small prayer of ours and do not reject us who come to you: always entreat the Master of all, that we may not be deprived of the heavenly bridal chamber, but may sing there together with the saints to Christ God: Alleluia.

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

Ikos 1

The Creator of angels, knowing from the beginning the unwavering firmness of your confession, made you, in harsh circumstances, to be heralds of the universal resurrection, as angel-like witnesses of the Gospel promise. Marveling at such divine care for us, with reverence we cry:

Rejoice, bright stars of the coming resurrection;
Rejoice, glorious rays of Christ the Savior who is risen.
Rejoice, dawn of the great day of the Lord;
Rejoice, who appeared as faithful children of Christ from the homes of unbelievers.
Rejoice, called into the wondrous light and freedom of the sons of the resurrection;
Rejoice, chosen by the Holy Spirit to be preachers of the word of eternal life.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

Kontakion 1

Chosen by Christ God, who rose in the flesh from the dead, as a testimony to the whole world of the universal resurrection, you wondrous youths of Ephesus, glorify the Lord who was glorified in you, and we bring to you hymns of praise, saying:

Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, marvelous heralds of the universal resurrection of the dead!

First Prayer to the Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus

O great, praiseworthy, and incomprehensible God, whose ways are unsearchable, who formed man with Your own hand, taking dust from the earth, and honored him with Your image—Jesus Christ, the most beloved name, together with Your Co-eternal Father and with Your Most Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit—reveal Yourself upon Your servant [name], and visit his soul and body, we beseech You through the most glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, through the holy Heavenly Bodiless Powers, the honorable and glorious prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John, the holy glorious and all-praised apostles, our holy fathers among the saints and universal teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom, Athanasius and Cyril, Nicholas of Myra, Spyridon the Wonderworker, and all holy hierarchs, the holy first-martyr and archdeacon Stephen, the holy glorious great martyrs George the Trophy-bearer, Demetrius the Myrrh-streaming, Theodore the General, and all holy martyrs, the venerable and God-bearing fathers Anthony, Euthymius, Sabbas the Sanctified, Theodosius the Cenobiarch, Onuphrius, Arsenius, Athanasius of Athos, and all the venerable ones, the holy unmercenary healers Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Thalaleus and Tryphon and others, the righteous John of Kronstadt, the venerable John of Rila, the blessed Xenia of Petersburg, and all Your saints. And grant him the sleep of rest, bodily sleep for health, salvation, and life, and strength of soul and body, just as You once visited Your servant Abimelech in the temple of Agrippa and gave him a comforting sleep, that he would not witness the fall of Jerusalem, and nourished him with restful sleep and then raised him again in a single moment of time, to the glory of Your goodness. And likewise Your holy and glorious seven youths, confessors and witnesses of Your appearance, whom You showed forth in the days of Emperor Decius, the apostate, who slept in a cave for one hundred and eighty years, as babes warmed in their mother’s womb, and suffered no decay—for the praise and glory of Your love for mankind, and as a sign and declaration of our rebirth and the resurrection of all.

So now, O Lover of mankind and King, come also by the visitation of Your Holy Spirit, and visit Your servant [name], and grant him health, strength, and blessed power by Your goodness, for from You is every good gift and every perfect gift. For You are the healer of our souls and bodies, and to You we send up glory, thanksgiving, and worship, with Your Co-eternal Father, and with Your Most Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Second Prayer to the Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus

O most wondrous holy seven youths, praise of the city of Ephesus and hope of the whole world! Look down from the height of Heavenly glory upon us, who lovingly honor your memory, and especially upon Christian children who are entrusted to your protection by their parents. Send down upon them the blessing of Christ God, who said: “Suffer the little children to come unto Me.” Heal those among them who are sick, comfort those who are sorrowful; preserve their hearts in purity, fill them with meekness, and plant and strengthen in the soil of their hearts the seed of the confession of God, that they may grow from strength to strength. And to all of us, the servants of God, standing before your holy icon and fervently praying to you, grant to attain the Kingdom of Heaven and there, with unceasing voices of joy, to glorify the magnificent name of the Most Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—unto the ages of ages. Amen.