{"id":1587,"date":"2026-11-05T20:00:09","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T01:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/?post_type=akathist&#038;p=1587"},"modified":"2026-11-05T20:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T01:00:09","slug":"akathist-saint-arsenios-cappadocia","status":"publish","type":"akathist","link":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ar\/akathists\/akathist-saint-arsenios-cappadocia\/","title":{"rendered":"Akathist to Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"of-akathist\">\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 1<\/h3><p>Chosen by God to shepherd His flock in a land of trials, O holy Arsenios, you guarded the faith of the Christians of Cappadocia like a lamp in the wind. Accept our song of praise, and pray to Christ for us, that we may remain faithful in every hardship and cry to you:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 1<\/h3><p>You were born around 1840 in Pharasa of Cappadocia and named Theodore. Orphaned in childhood, you were raised with love by your sister, and from your youth you were drawn to the house of God. Seeing how the Lord cared for the orphan, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, child of the land of Cappadocia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, orphan cared for by the providence of God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your sister raised you with love;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved the church from your youth;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Fathers of Cappadocia prepared your path;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Basil and the Gregories were your forebears;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God chose you from the humble;<\/li><li>Rejoice, flower of Pharasa;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 2<\/h3><p>Thirsting for learning, you went to Smyrna to study, and there you received a good education in the Greek letters. You did not seek honor, but wisdom to serve your people, and you sang to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 2<\/h3><p>Returning to Cappadocia, you entered the monastery of St John the Forerunner, called Flavianon, near Caesarea, and there you were tonsured a monk with the name Arsenios. Rejoicing at your choice of the narrow way, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, student of Smyrna;<\/li><li>Rejoice, monk of the Flavianon monastery;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you renounced the world for Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you took the name Arsenios;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved fasting and prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you obeyed your elders in all things;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Forerunner was your patron;<\/li><li>Rejoice, lover of the desert;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 3<\/h3><p>In 1870, Metropolitan Paisios of Caesarea ordained you a priest, gave you the rank of archimandrite, and sent you back to Pharasa to care for the Christians there. Obeying with humility, you returned to your homeland singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 3<\/h3><p>For more than fifty years, you served the people of Pharasa as father, teacher and physician of souls. You taught the children to read and write the Greek letters, so that they would not lose their faith, and so we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, priest of the Most High God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, archimandrite sent to Pharasa;<\/li><li>Rejoice, father of your people for fifty years;<\/li><li>Rejoice, teacher of the children;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you kept the faith alive under Ottoman rule;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you taught the Greek letters in secret;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you served the poor without reward;<\/li><li>Rejoice, faithful shepherd;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 4<\/h3><p>You lived in great asceticism, fasting most days of the week and praying through the night, and you would not accept money for your prayers. Seeing you poor and humble, the people loved you, and they sang to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 4<\/h3><p>You kept silence on Wednesdays and Fridays, speaking only in urgent need, and you spent those days in prayer. Christians and Muslims alike came to you, and you prayed for all of them with compassion. Marveling at your love, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you fasted and prayed without ceasing;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you kept silence for the sake of prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you accepted no reward;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved the poor and the sick;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Muslims also came to you for prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you prayed for all without distinction;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your love knew no borders;<\/li><li>Rejoice, mirror of compassion;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 5<\/h3><p>God granted you the gift of healing, and the sick came from far and wide to receive your prayers. You read the Gospel and the Psalms over them, and the Lord healed them according to their need, while you gave all the glory to Him, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 5<\/h3><p>You assigned particular psalms for particular needs, and you taught the people to read them with faith, trusting not in words but in the living God who hears. Learning from you to pray with the Psalter, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for through you the Lord healed the sick;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you read the Gospel over the suffering;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you taught the healing use of the Psalms;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you gave all the glory to God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the blind and the lame found mercy;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for many found mercy in their afflictions;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you comforted the grieving;<\/li><li>Rejoice, physician of souls and bodies;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 6<\/h3><p>When the Ottoman authorities oppressed the Christians, you stood before them with courage and spoke on behalf of your flock. God gave you favor in the eyes of the rulers, and the people were spared, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 6<\/h3><p>You traveled to Jerusalem as a pilgrim and venerated the holy places, and from then on the people called you Hatzi-Efendi, the pilgrim master. Rejoicing in your love for the land of Christ, we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, defender of your flock before the rulers;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God gave you favor with the powerful;<\/li><li>Rejoice, pilgrim to the holy places;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you venerated the Tomb of Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the people called you Hatzi-Efendi;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you carried Jerusalem in your heart;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you feared no man but God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, brave pastor;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 7<\/h3><p>In 1924, you baptized the infant son of the Eznepidis family and gave him your own name, Arsenios, foretelling that he would become a monk and carry on your work. That child became St Paisios the Athonite, who later wrote your life and sang to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 7<\/h3><p>Your prophecy was fulfilled, for the child you baptized became a great elder of the Holy Mountain and a guide to countless souls. Seeing your spiritual fatherhood bear fruit across generations, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you baptized the future St Paisios;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you gave him your own name;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you foretold his monastic life;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for he wrote the story of your life;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your grace passed to your spiritual son;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Holy Mountain received your heir;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your prophecy was fulfilled;<\/li><li>Rejoice, father of a holy elder;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 8<\/h3><p>In the exchange of populations, the Christians of Cappadocia were forced to leave the land of their fathers. You foresaw this exile and prepared your people for it, and you led them out like a new Moses, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 8<\/h3><p>You walked with your flock on foot over the mountains to the sea at Mersin, encouraging the weak and caring for the sick. From there, you sailed with them to Piraeus, and then to the island of Corfu. Marveling at your endurance in old age, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you foresaw the exile of your people;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you led your flock like Moses;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you walked with them over the mountains;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you comforted them on the long journey;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you did not abandon your people;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you crossed the sea to Greece;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you arrived in Corfu in your old age;<\/li><li>Rejoice, shepherd of the refugees;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 9<\/h3><p>You had foretold that you would live only forty days in Greece, and so it was. On November 10, 1924, you gave your soul to God in Corfu, and the angels received you with joy, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 9<\/h3><p>Your people buried you in Corfu with tears, as orphans burying their father. Yet they knew that your prayers had not ended, for you had gone to stand before the Lord whom you had served all your life. Hoping in your intercession, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you foretold the day of your death;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you reposed forty days after your arrival;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you gave your soul to God in peace;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your people mourned you as a father;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you still pray for your flock;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the angels received you with joy;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you finished your course in faith;<\/li><li>Rejoice, consolation of the exiles;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 10<\/h3><p>In 1958, St Paisios came to Corfu, took your holy relics, and carried them to the monastery of St John the Theologian at Souroti, near Thessaloniki. The nuns received them with reverence, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 10<\/h3><p>Your relics rest at Souroti beside those of your spiritual son, St Paisios, and pilgrims come from every land to venerate you both. In 1986, the Ecumenical Patriarchate glorified you among the saints, and so we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for St Paisios translated your relics;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you rest at Souroti;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you lie beside your spiritual son;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were glorified in 1986;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for pilgrims come to you from every land;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your relics are a source of blessing;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Church honors you as a wonderworker;<\/li><li>Rejoice, glory of Cappadocia;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 11<\/h3><p>Every hymn is too weak to praise your labors, O holy Arsenios, for you endured fifty years of hardship for the sake of your flock. Receive our song with love, as we sing to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 11<\/h3><p>You are a light for all who are exiled, displaced or persecuted, for you knew the bitterness of losing your homeland. Through you, the Lord teaches us that our true homeland is in heaven, and so we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, comfort of the displaced;<\/li><li>Rejoice, hope of refugees;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you knew the pain of exile;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you teach us that our homeland is in heaven;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you show us how to carry the Cross;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you lead us to trust in God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are near to those who suffer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, friend of the homeless;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 12<\/h3><p>The grace of God works through your prayers to this day, and many find healing and consolation at your relics. Glorifying the Lord who shines in His saints, we sing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 12<\/h3><p>Singing of your life, we praise Christ, who made you a faithful shepherd, a wonderworker and a spiritual father. We honor your struggles and your love, and we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, faithful shepherd of Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, wonderworker of Cappadocia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, spiritual father of St Paisios;<\/li><li>Rejoice, physician of the sick;<\/li><li>Rejoice, teacher of children;<\/li><li>Rejoice, defender of the oppressed;<\/li><li>Rejoice, guide of the exiles;<\/li><li>Rejoice, saint of Corfu and Souroti;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 13<\/h3><p>O holy Father Arsenios, faithful shepherd and wonderworker, receive this our offering of praise. Pray to Christ our God for the sick, for refugees and for all who suffer, that He may comfort and heal them, and that we may sing with you forever: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-rubric\">This kontakion is said three times.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 1 (repeated)<\/h3><p>You were born around 1840 in Pharasa of Cappadocia and named Theodore. Orphaned in childhood, you were raised with love by your sister, and from your youth you were drawn to the house of God. Seeing how the Lord cared for the orphan, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, child of the land of Cappadocia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, orphan cared for by the providence of God;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your sister raised you with love;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved the church from your youth;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Fathers of Cappadocia prepared your path;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Basil and the Gregories were your forebears;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God chose you from the humble;<\/li><li>Rejoice, flower of Pharasa;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 1 (repeated)<\/h3><p>Chosen by God to shepherd His flock in a land of trials, O holy Arsenios, you guarded the faith of the Christians of Cappadocia like a lamp in the wind. Accept our song of praise, and pray to Christ for us, that we may remain faithful in every hardship and cry to you:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Arsenios, good shepherd of Pharasa!<\/p>\n<hr class=\"ak-rule\"><h3 class=\"ak-label\">Prayer<\/h3><p>O holy Father Arsenios, faithful shepherd of the Christians of Cappadocia, you guarded your flock through fifty years of hardship and led them into exile with love, and the Lord glorified you with the gift of healing. We come to you in our needs and ask your prayers.<\/p><p>Pray to Christ our God for the sick, that He may heal them according to His will, and for all refugees, exiles and persecuted Christians, that He may give them shelter, comfort and hope. Pray for our children, that they may grow in the faith, and for our priests, that they may be faithful shepherds. Help us, by your example, to love fasting and prayer, to read the Psalms with faith, and to serve others without seeking reward.<\/p><p>Through your prayers, may the Lord lead us to our true homeland in heaven, where with you and St Paisios we may glorify the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our Venerable and God-bearing Father Arsenios of Cappadocia, the Wonderworker<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","liturgical_season":[],"class_list":["post-1587","akathist","type-akathist","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/akathist"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1587\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1631,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1587\/revisions\/1631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"liturgical_season","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/liturgical_season?post=1587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}