{"id":1609,"date":"2026-11-05T19:59:48","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T00:59:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/?post_type=akathist&#038;p=1609"},"modified":"2026-11-05T19:59:48","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T00:59:48","slug":"akathist-saint-paisius-velichkovsky","status":"publish","type":"akathist","link":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/pl\/akathists\/akathist-saint-paisius-velichkovsky\/","title":{"rendered":"Akathist to Saint Paisius Velichkovsky of Neam\u021b"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"of-akathist\">\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 1<\/h3><p>Chosen by God to renew the ancient way of the prayer of the heart and of spiritual fatherhood, O holy Paisius, you gathered the wisdom of the Fathers and gave it to the Slavic and Romanian peoples. Accept our song of praise, and pray to Christ for us, that we may learn to pray and cry to you:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 1<\/h3><p>You were born in Poltava on December 21, 1722, the son of a priest, and you were named Peter at baptism. Your father died when you were young, and your mother raised you in piety and taught you to read the holy books. Seeing a saint grow in a priestly home, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, child of Poltava;<\/li><li>Rejoice, son of a priest;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your mother raised you in piety;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved holy books from childhood;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you read the lives of the saints;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the desire for God burned in you early;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God prepared you for great things;<\/li><li>Rejoice, flower of the land of Poltava;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 2<\/h3><p>You studied at the Kiev Mohyla Academy, but you were troubled by its Latin learning, and you longed for the simple wisdom of the Fathers. At seventeen, you left the academy to seek a life of prayer, singing to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 2<\/h3><p>You wandered from monastery to monastery in Ukraine, seeking a spiritual father who could teach you the way of salvation, but you found few who knew the ancient path. Seeing your thirst for truth, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, student of the Kiev academy;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you sought the wisdom of the Fathers;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you left the academy for prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you wandered seeking a guide;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you thirsted for the ancient way;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were not satisfied with outward piety;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you sought the inner life;<\/li><li>Rejoice, pilgrim of the spirit;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 3<\/h3><p>You crossed into Moldavia and Wallachia, where you found elders living in sketes according to the tradition of the Fathers, and there you received the rassophore with the name Platon. Rejoicing at finding the ancient path, you sang: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 3<\/h3><p>In 1746, you went to the Holy Mountain of Athos, and for four years you lived alone in poverty, seeking a teacher. Finding none, you studied the writings of the holy Fathers and learned from them directly, and so we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you found elders in Moldavia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you received the rassophore as Platon;<\/li><li>Rejoice, pilgrim to the Holy Mountain;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you lived alone in poverty;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you sought a teacher on Athos;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Fathers became your teachers;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you read their writings with prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, disciple of the holy Fathers;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 4<\/h3><p>In 1750, the elder Basil of Poiana M\u0103rului came to Athos and tonsured you into the mantle with the name Paisius. Soon disciples gathered around you, and you lived together in love, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 4<\/h3><p>You founded a brotherhood at the skete of the Prophet Elijah, and you were ordained priest in 1758. You guided your monks in obedience, confession of thoughts and the Jesus Prayer, and so we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you were tonsured by Basil of Poiana M\u0103rului;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you took the name Paisius;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for disciples gathered around you;<\/li><li>Rejoice, founder of the skete of the Prophet Elijah;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were ordained priest;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you taught obedience and confession;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you guided your monks in the Jesus Prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, father of a holy brotherhood;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 5<\/h3><p>On Athos, you began to search for the Greek manuscripts of the Fathers, and you learned Greek so that you could translate them accurately into Slavonic. You copied and corrected the texts with great labor, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 5<\/h3><p>You discovered that many Slavonic translations were faulty, and you dedicated your life to restoring the true teaching of the Fathers on prayer and the spiritual life. Thanking God for your labor, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you searched for the Greek manuscripts;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you learned Greek for the sake of truth;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you corrected faulty translations;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you copied the texts with great labor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you restored the teaching of the Fathers;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved accuracy and truth;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you worked through the night;<\/li><li>Rejoice, translator of the Fathers;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 6<\/h3><p>In 1763, you returned to Moldavia with your brotherhood, and you settled at the monastery of Dragomirna, then at Secu, and at last at the great monastery of Neam\u021b. Your community grew to hundreds of monks, and they sang with you: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 6<\/h3><p>At Neam\u021b, you led nearly a thousand monks of many nations, Romanians, Russians, Ukrainians and Greeks, and you had the services sung in both Romanian and Slavonic. Marveling at this harmony, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you returned to Moldavia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, abbot of Dragomirna and Secu;<\/li><li>Rejoice, abbot of the great Lavra of Neam\u021b;<\/li><li>Rejoice, father of a thousand monks;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you united many nations in Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the services were sung in two tongues;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved the Romanian people;<\/li><li>Rejoice, shepherd of many nations;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 7<\/h3><p>You restored the practice of spiritual eldership, in which the disciple reveals every thought to his elder and walks in obedience. Many monks were healed by this ancient medicine, and they sang: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 7<\/h3><p>You taught that the Jesus Prayer, \u201cLord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me,\u201d must be joined to humility, obedience and love, and you wrote a treatise defending this prayer. Learning from your teaching, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, restorer of spiritual eldership;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you taught the revelation of thoughts;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you healed souls by obedience;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you defended the Jesus Prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you joined prayer to humility;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you taught that love is above all;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you wrote on the prayer of the heart;<\/li><li>Rejoice, physician of souls;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 8<\/h3><p>In 1793, your Slavonic translation of the Philokalia, called the Dobrotolubie, was printed in Moscow, and the treasure of the Fathers became available to all the Slavic peoples. Thanking God for this gift, the faithful sang: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 8<\/h3><p>Through the Dobrotolubie, the wisdom of the holy Fathers reached the monasteries and homes of Russia, and the Way of a Pilgrim later told of a simple man who learned to pray from your book. Rejoicing in this fruit, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, translator of the Philokalia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Dobrotolubie was printed in Moscow;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Fathers spoke to the Slavic peoples;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your book reached monasteries and homes;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the pilgrim learned to pray from it;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you opened the treasury of prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you gave the Church a great gift;<\/li><li>Rejoice, sower of the word of the Fathers;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 9<\/h3><p>On November 15, 1794, after a long illness, you gave your soul to God at Neam\u021b, surrounded by your weeping monks. The angels received you with joy, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 9<\/h3><p>Your disciples carried your spirit to Russia and Romania, and through them the elders of Optina, of Valaam and of many monasteries were formed. Seeing the fruit of your life, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you reposed at Neam\u021b;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your monks mourned you as a father;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your disciples carried your spirit far;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the elders of Optina were your heirs;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Valaam received your teaching;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Romania was renewed by your labors;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your seed bore fruit a hundredfold;<\/li><li>Rejoice, father of the Optina elders;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 10<\/h3><p>In 1988, the Russian Orthodox Church glorified you among the saints, and the Romanian Church did likewise in 1992. Two peoples who loved you sang together: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 10<\/h3><p>Your relics rest at Neam\u021b monastery, and pilgrims from Romania, Ukraine, Russia and many lands come to venerate you. Rejoicing in your glorification, we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you were glorified in Russia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Romania glorified you also;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for two peoples honor you together;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your relics rest at Neam\u021b;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for pilgrims come from many lands;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you unite the Slavs and the Romanians;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are a bridge between peoples;<\/li><li>Rejoice, glory of Neam\u021b;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 11<\/h3><p>Every hymn falls short of your labors, O holy Paisius, for you gave the whole Church the treasure of prayer. Receive our song, offered 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 seek to pray the Jesus Prayer, for all who seek a spiritual father, and for all who translate and study the holy Fathers. Calling on your prayers, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, guide of those who pray;<\/li><li>Rejoice, patron of those who seek a spiritual father;<\/li><li>Rejoice, model of translators;<\/li><li>Rejoice, friend of students of the Fathers;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you teach us to pray with humility;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you call us to obedience;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you show us the ancient path;<\/li><li>Rejoice, lamp of hesychasm;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 12<\/h3><p>The grace of God works through your prayers, and the renewal of prayer you began still bears fruit in our days. Glorifying the Lord who gave you to His Church, we sing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 12<\/h3><p>Singing of your life, we praise Christ, who made you a monk, a translator and a father of monks. We honor your memory and cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, son of Poltava;<\/li><li>Rejoice, pilgrim of Athos;<\/li><li>Rejoice, abbot of Neam\u021b;<\/li><li>Rejoice, translator of the Philokalia;<\/li><li>Rejoice, restorer of eldership;<\/li><li>Rejoice, teacher of the Jesus Prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, father of the Optina elders;<\/li><li>Rejoice, luminary of Moldavia;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 13<\/h3><p>O holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart, receive this our hymn of praise. Pray to Christ our God that He may teach us to pray with humility, give us wise spiritual guides, and lead us on the path of the Fathers, so 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 in Poltava on December 21, 1722, the son of a priest, and you were named Peter at baptism. Your father died when you were young, and your mother raised you in piety and taught you to read the holy books. Seeing a saint grow in a priestly home, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, child of Poltava;<\/li><li>Rejoice, son of a priest;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your mother raised you in piety;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved holy books from childhood;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you read the lives of the saints;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the desire for God burned in you early;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God prepared you for great things;<\/li><li>Rejoice, flower of the land of Poltava;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 1 (repeated)<\/h3><p>Chosen by God to renew the ancient way of the prayer of the heart and of spiritual fatherhood, O holy Paisius, you gathered the wisdom of the Fathers and gave it to the Slavic and Romanian peoples. Accept our song of praise, and pray to Christ for us, that we may learn to pray and cry to you:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Father Paisius, renewer of the prayer of the heart!<\/p>\n<hr class=\"ak-rule\"><h3 class=\"ak-label\">Prayer<\/h3><p>O holy Father Paisius, you who sought the wisdom of the Fathers in every land, who translated their writings for the Slavic and Romanian peoples, and who restored the ancient way of prayer and spiritual fatherhood, we come to you with faith and ask your prayers.<\/p><p>Pray to Christ our God for all monks and nuns, that He may keep them in obedience and love; for all who seek a spiritual father, that He may lead them to a wise guide; and for all who translate and study the holy Fathers, that He may give them accuracy and humility. Help us, by your example, to pray the Jesus Prayer with attention, to reveal our thoughts with humility, and to love the writings of the saints.<\/p><p>Through your prayers, may the Lord grant us to walk on the ancient path to the Kingdom, so that with you 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 Paisius Velichkovsky, Abbot of Neam\u021b<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","liturgical_season":[],"class_list":["post-1609","akathist","type-akathist","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1609","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/akathist"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1609\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1620,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1609\/revisions\/1620"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"liturgical_season","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/liturgical_season?post=1609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}