Akathist Hymn to Saint Iotam Zedgenidze, Who Laid Down His Life for the King
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and of all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things with Thy grace, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, deliver us and release us from our sins; O Master, pardon our iniquities; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Lord, have mercy (Twelve times). Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of mine iniquity; and my sin is continually before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done evil before thee: that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me. For, behold, thou lovest truth: thou hast manifested to me the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt cause me to hear gladness and joy: the afflicted bones shall rejoice. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts. Cast me not away from thy presence; and remove not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation: establish me with thy directing Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and ungodly men shall turn to thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall joyfully declare thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my lips; and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou desiredst sacrifice, I would have given it: thou wilt not take pleasure in whole-burnt-offerings. Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, to Sion in thy good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, offering, and whole-burnt-sacrifices: then shall they offer calves upon thine altar.
We extol thee with praises, O honoured Iotam, and ask help of thee; and do thou, as one who hath great boldness, make the Lord, the Lover of mankind, merciful towards us, that He may gird us with His invincible power against our enemies visible and invisible, that we may find rest and unfading delight, who extol thee with praises: Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
Being of full age, invincible in mind and unbending in spirit, thou didst struggle beyond the weakness of human nature, and didst lay down thy life for the king and deliver thy people from the danger and trial that awaited them; now also disregard not our supplication and be our intercessor before God, that until the end of the age He may guard Iberia and the people of Iberia, that by thy help we may boast and call thee blessed with longing:
Rejoice, prince and commander, indestructible monument of valour; rejoice, unshakeable tower of courage; rejoice, great master of the defeat of enemies; rejoice, shield, defender of thy people; rejoice, two-edged sword that cuttest off wickedness; rejoice, example of the divine soldiery; rejoice, glory of the land and of the faith; rejoice, image of the virtue and understanding of our forefathers; rejoice, courageous and chosen horseman, who stirrest men to valour; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
When the Lord was angered against the Christians for their sins, the sultan took Constantinople, and the Turks grew insolent and began to do evil and to lay waste the peoples who believe in Christ; and in those times Kvarkvare, atabeg of Samtskhe, exalted himself the more, and, having rebelled against King George, strove unceasingly to break the unity of Georgia; but thou wast faithful to that God-anointed king, a lover of the people and a praiser of God: Alleluia.
When the king heard of the atabeg’s revolt, he gathered an army and marched into Samtskhe, and when he had pitched his camp in the region of Paravani, traitors were sent against him to slay the anointed of God; and thou, hearing the terrible design of the rebels, wast shaken and grieved exceedingly, for thou didst count that deed a shame to the people and the overthrow of its unity; so now also bring to nothing the terrible devices of those who strive with wickedness to harm us, and keep us untouched by the assault of enemies, that we may call thee blessed with joy and praise thy radiant heroism:
Rejoice, thou who didst spring from the eminent nobles of old; rejoice, thou who from youth wast adorned with the love of virtue; rejoice, thou who didst shine with goodness and love of mankind; rejoice, thou who wast instructed by God-inspired books; rejoice, thou who wast made perfect by an illustrious life; rejoice, thou who wast shown forth by mercy; rejoice, thou who wast kindled with love of the fatherland; rejoice, thou who wast armed with manly courage; rejoice, thou who wast filled with the grace of piety; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
When thou didst swiftly tell the king of this matter, he believed not in the treachery and was angry with thee in wrath; but thou didst assure him again and make known to him the evil design of those near him; therefore we move thee to intercede with God, that He may look upon us who have no answer before Him, and fill us with divine watchfulness, that we may flee the wrath of God and give thanks and glory to God: Alleluia.
As thou didst walk in the commandments of God and in His judgements, He gave thee good resolve, steadfastness and strength to lay down thy life for the king, and thou didst say to him eagerly: “If my word be not true, I now entreat thee that this night I may lie in thy bed, and if they slay me, thinking me the king, forget not my sons”. So now also keep us from every affliction and trial, that we may live in love and peace and speak thy praises:
Rejoice, thou who wast chosen by the Lord out of all; rejoice, thou who wast enlightened by the grace of doing good; rejoice, thou who didst shine with faithfulness and virtue; rejoice, thou who wast shown forth for the consolation of the Church and the adornment of Georgia; rejoice, thou who wast sent for the deliverance of thy people and as its champion; rejoice, hater of double-heartedness and treachery; rejoice, thou who wast well armed by the power of God; rejoice, thou who art adorned with the steadfastness of thy great struggles; rejoice, thou who art numbered with the martyrs of Christ; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
The shedding of blood was more desirable to thee, O Iotam, blessed lamb of Christ, than the delight of this passing world, and thou didst charge thy sons as a testament to lay down their lives for their people and fatherland; and, admonishing them, O honoured one, thou didst kindle them with zeal and divine love; now also cease not to entreat God, that in the furnace of temptations and afflictions He may sprinkle us too with the dew of thy grace, that we may lay down our life for the inviolability of the law and for our brethren, and, when God without doubt granteth us eternal life, may ever with thee sing to Him the hymn of glory: Alleluia.
Thou didst count the fear of death as nothing, nor didst thou turn back for the orphaning of thy children, but for faithfulness to thy fatherland and the peaceful keeping of thy people thou didst leave the honour and glory given thee as an inheritance from thy forefathers, and didst resolve to save the king; and now put to death all the designs of my enemies who seek my destruction, and give us who revere and praise thee the mercy that is from Christ:
Rejoice, unwearying labourer in the blessed vineyard of the fatherland; rejoice, thou who didst plant for ever in thy heart the fear of God and the love of neighbour; rejoice, quencher of the furnace of afflictions and sorrows; rejoice, thou who by valour and courage puttest to shame the faint-hearted and the enfeebled; rejoice, strength of the weak and overthrower of the mighty; rejoice, refuge of the poor and clothing of the naked; rejoice, just judge of the helpless and upholder of widows and orphans; rejoice, thou who teachest us to live watchfully and soberly; rejoice, rebuker of those who hate righteousness and call evil good; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
Though he did not truly believe in that danger, for thy magnanimity, love of mankind and courage the king received thee with great honour and said to thee as thou wast going to suffering: “Though I believe not in this danger, I am grateful to thee and will grant thee high dignity”; and we call blessed thy wondrous self-sacrifice and glorify God, the Creator of all: Alleluia.
Then thy firmness and fearless conduct amazed the king, and, having promised with an oath to fulfil every request, he said to thee: “If thou thus givest thyself up to death, I will ever be the intercessor and protector of all thy household and kin”; now have mercy on us too and entreat Christ, our Saviour and God, that He may not requite us justly for our evil deeds, and may give forgiveness of sins to us who ask and sing:
Rejoice, thou who by the light of piety enlightenest the souls left in darkness; rejoice, thou who renewest in our people the spirit of wisdom and piety; rejoice, thou who by divine grace makest wise the ignorant; rejoice, thou who quickenest lukewarm faith; rejoice, instructor of the stiff-necked and the disobedient in mind; rejoice, healer of many wounds; rejoice, destroyer of the malice of enemies; rejoice, cleanser of the stench of a seared conscience; rejoice, thou who askest of the Lord for thy people the sweetness of piety; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
When the king gave thee consent, the arena of the lovers of victory shone forth, and thou didst run on the narrow and strait way, and, preparing to endure death, thou didst cry out with wisdom and courage: “Now let me die in place of the king, for so it pleaseth God, for the saving of our people”; and thou didst bless Christ, who gave thee good resolve, and, made wise by grace, thou didst sing to Him as to the Giver of light: Alleluia.
That night, when the traitors burst into the king’s tent, armed with prayer and faith thou didst say to thyself: “Rejoice, O Iotam! for thou givest thy mortal life for the king, and from Christ, as from the immortal King, thou shalt receive as reward life without end”, and thou didst commend thy soul to God; but they, seeing thee lying on the couch, thought thee the king, and when they slaughtered thee with the sword like a sheep, thou didst gain the grace of faithfulness and the crown of courage; and now, joined to the glorious company of the forefathers who laid down their lives for the faith and the land, cease not to entreat that those who sing to thee may be made worthy of the forgiveness of sins:
Rejoice, thou who wast hacked mercilessly with the sword and slaughtered like a sacrificial lamb; rejoice, purified lamb offered on the altar of heaven; rejoice, thou who dwellest with the saints in the heavenly Jerusalem; rejoice, thou who by the voluntary acceptance of death didst expose the rebels; rejoice, guardian and protector of our people by the shelter of thy graces; rejoice, thou who puttest to shame the crafty and the treacherous; rejoice, thou who fillest those faithful to the king with spiritual joy; rejoice, thou who raisest up the fallen Christian spirit; rejoice, thou who holdest back the wrath of God; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
At dawn the king hastened to his tent, and, seeing thy body swimming in blood, he was greatly angered and wept for thee with hot tears; and he seized his enemies and traitors, and not one escaped his hands; now we too have angered the Lord our God by evil living, a defiled mind and impure conduct; but do thou intercede before Him, that He may plant among us the fear and hatred of sin and the love of virtue, that by thy help we may boast and ever praise His goodness: Alleluia.
Then the king was moved with gratitude, and, calling thy sons, he filled them with favour, and to the eldest he granted the fortress of Gorisjvari and estates, and bestowed on him the office of spaspet of Kartli and amilakhori of the royal court; and they received this honour well, and, serving the king and the people with zeal, they thanked thee as the cause of their elevation and glorified God; to Him we send thee as intercessor, O glorious one, that He may give us an understanding and wise heart to discern good and evil, that we may struggle courageously against the passions and be made worthy to offer thee a hymn:
Rejoice, courageous and invincible one, who didst contend in the good contest with toil and blood; rejoice, thou who in place of passing glory didst receive unfading light; rejoice, thou who didst soften the mercilessness of enemies; rejoice, thou who by divine power puttest to shame the crafty and the treacherous; rejoice, thou who showest the straight way to the hopeless and those gone astray; rejoice, rebuker of those turned aside from the faith and of the doers of lawlessness; rejoice, thou who by giving thyself up for the king didst gain Shio-Mghvime as a family burial place for thy descendants; rejoice, thou who by thy wondrous struggle didst change their rank of nobles into that of princes; rejoice, thou who didst lay the foundation of the house of Amilakhvari; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
When the Georgians heard of thy self-sacrifice, how thou wast slain in place of the king, who was perfect and adorned with every goodness and fought and strove for the unity of Georgia, they worthily praised the greatness of thy courage, and, thankful to the all-merciful God, offered Him this praise of praises: Alleluia.
Thou didst appear exceeding courageous and faithful, O all-praised Iotam, when thou didst prepare to offer thyself and to confess the commandment of the Lord, which saith: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”; and this thou didst do, a virtue lofty and ineffable and worthy of all praise:
Rejoice, pillar of wisdom that reachest unto heaven; rejoice, unshaken wall of piety; rejoice, unsearchable abyss of love; rejoice, planter of good morals and God-pleasing conduct; rejoice, inexhaustible sea of love of mankind; rejoice, thou who by thy struggle didst well finish the divine course; rejoice, thou who in place of the crown of valour didst put on the crown of heaven; rejoice, guardian and protector of the Georgian people by the shelter of thy graces; rejoice, conscience and boast of our nation; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
Though thou didst know thy death beforehand, O blessed one, thou didst lay down thy life and soul for thy people and thy king, and didst deliver him from suffering and death; so now ravening wolves have surrounded us to corrupt our soul and body, but help us, O honoured Iotam, and though we are not worthy because of these our sins, entreat Christ our God to give us a faithful and righteous shepherd, a God-pleasing king and leader of his flocks, that with every spiritual and bodily good he may make to flourish our people, the lot of the Theotokos, belittled and brought low at this time, and may ever glorify Jesus, Saviour and God: Alleluia.
O what renown thy wondrous self-sacrifice gained thee, for when thou didst show a most courageous love of struggle, the Church of the Georgians numbered thee among the saints for all to know, and appointed thy glorification and commemoration for all her flocks; and we honour thee, Iotam, soldier of Christ, and standing in prayer we praise thee and glorify thee according to our strength:
Rejoice, many-rayed sun of the Georgians, who by thy struggle didst bring dawn to the darkness of the fatherland; rejoice, lamp of the Orthodox Church, who drivest away the darkness of folly; rejoice, thou who didst endure the struggles and trials that befell thee; rejoice, thou who instructest in godliness the hearts shaken by the waves of the world; rejoice, bell of spiritual watchfulness; rejoice, strengthener of love for God and the fatherland; rejoice, thou who cuttest off all evil habits; rejoice, protector from the snares of Satan and from the invasion of foreigners; rejoice, reprover of men who hate their brethren and of the crafty; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
Thou who hadst great compassion for the king and didst deliver him from danger, behold now the snares of countless enemies spread wickedly over the Georgians of one kin and one faith, and deliver us from mutual oppression and strife among brothers, for the strengthening of a people requireth unity, that, bound together in one mind by love for God and the fatherland, we may give thanks and glorify the Creator of all: Alleluia.
As thou didst appear as a deliverer to our people and our king, so also hearken to our prayers and remember us before God, that He may quench the mystery of lawlessness stirred up against our people and grant us venerable fathers and wise leaders, that Georgia, this land allotted to the Theotokos, may not be utterly destroyed, but that we all may do justice and utter such hymns as these:
Rejoice, thou who wast sent from on high for the sanctification of thy people; rejoice, great master of the defeat of enemies; rejoice, teacher of valour and magnanimity; rejoice, unshaken tower of true judgement; rejoice, unfading flower of the noetic paradise; rejoice, beauty of the radiant rank of the Georgians; rejoice, thou who art numbered with the confessors of Christ and hast received the reward of thy labour; rejoice, firmness of the sceptre of kings; rejoice, glorious son of our fatherland; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
Thy wondrous self-sacrifice hath not sunk into the depth of oblivion, for the ancient chronicles tell us of thy way of life, how thou didst strive for the glory of God and the flourishing of Iberia; so now intercede for us with the Lord and ask for us that He may turn away the wrath risen up against us for the multitude of our sins, and, like Lazarus, raise up our fatherland, Georgia, to its former glory, that we may not be trampled down by plundering foreign tribes and nations, but, trusting in Christ, may praise His might: Alleluia.
Rightly do the Zedgenidzes honour thee and boast of thee, together with the Amilakhvaris, and thank thee, O holy one, their renowned and all-glorious forefather, as the cause of many good things; therefore we too praise thee with them, O God-glorified Iotam, and send thee as intercessor to Christ, that through thee we may become a host of God, withstanding and overthrowing all His enemies, and may call thee blessed as our wall and shelter:
Rejoice, thou who by the stream of thy blood didst quench the mockery of the conspirators; rejoice, thou who didst undo the many-woven devices of the enemy; rejoice, good mediator and banisher of craftiness; rejoice, thou who allayest the flame of the passions and of evil sicknesses; rejoice, thou who by the fruit of thy valour encouragest those who follow thee; rejoice, conqueror of the raging haters of God; rejoice, hater of cruelty and treachery; rejoice, thou who hast gained a name undying even to this day; rejoice, thou who art ever remembered by the Kartlosians; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
Thou didst appear as a radiant luminary, O Iotam, victor in the contest, and, having brought to nothing the design of the traitors of the people, thou didst magnify thy name and thy lineage by thy divine way of life; and now crush the insolence of those who are armed with godlessness against the Orthodox, and deliver us from every harm of evil men, that we may pass well through this transient life and praise Christ in spirit and in truth: Alleluia.
As courageous and wise the assembly of Orthodox Georgians knoweth thee, and we call thee a manifest monument of struggle, O honoured Iotam, and we entreat thee: enlighten us now, who are darkened by the waves of sin and wholly drowned in the turmoil of the world, and grant us courage and honour, and bring to nothing the snares and stumbling-blocks of the enemies, that with an upright heart we may all call thee blessed and offer thee this praise:
Rejoice, steadfastness granted from heaven to the Kartlosians, for we call blessed the ancient glory and might of the Georgians; rejoice, thou who didst shine with the strength of valour, for thou wast fearless as one bodiless and didst shatter every weapon of fierce warfare; rejoice, for even after the partition of all Georgia thy kinsmen were commanders of the banner of Kartli and mouravs of Gori; rejoice, for thy descendants again glorify Christ, who gave them such a forefather, and praise thy struggle; rejoice, sparkling lamp, for thou didst bring dawn to the night of treachery; rejoice, thou who art fenced about with the weapon of the Cross, for in the arena of suffering thou didst appear as a perfect warrior; rejoice, for thou shinest upon all the ends of our land, spreading unwaning light; rejoice, glory of confessors and radiance of warriors, for the Church of the Georgians hath glorified thy struggle; rejoice, unashamed upholder in afflictions, who bestowest on all who flee to thee abundant gifts from the fountain of inexhaustible grace; Rejoice, holy Iotam, who for love of thy people and faithfulness to thy fatherland didst lay down thy life for the king!
O Iotam, courageous in the contest! Turn not away from us who entreat thee, but, as we fall down before thy firm intercession and fatherly grace and help, deliver us ever from the many snares of enemies visible and invisible, and at the time of judgement rescue us from the bitter everlasting torments, that, guided by thee, we may attain to the heavenly Jerusalem and be made worthy with thee to glorify the All-Holy Trinity: Alleluia.
This kontakion thrice; then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1.
O radiant warrior adorned with a martyr’s blood, unashamed upholder in afflictions, swift helper of those who entreat thee, and wall and shelter of all Georgians, God-blessed Iotam!
O Iotam, great warrior and victor in the contest, mercilessly smitten by the sword and suffering in place of the king! Remember us before God and by the radiance of thy holiness shelter the land of Iberia from heresy and from an alien law, and grant to all who dwell in it, as to thee, the warmth of faith, brotherly love for neighbour and divine zeal for the fatherland, and raise up for us without hindrance from the root of David the anointed of God, who by firm faith shall wall about all the borders of Georgia and shall exalt and restore our height and strength from the land of forgetfulness, that we may be one flock and the Lord may be our Shepherd. By thy mighty power strengthen the Most Holy and Most Blessed Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazeti, our father Ilia, the most reverend metropolitans, archbishops and bishops and all the priestly and monastic orders, the commanders and the governors of cities, the Christ-loving armed forces, and our benefactors, and all Orthodox Christians, and magnify those who bear thy name and those who entreat thee. Entreat, O all-radiant martyr, the sweetest Jesus whom thou didst love, to forgive us our apostasies, the destruction and defilement of churches, the murders of the servants of God, betrayal, envy and disorders, the killing of our infants in the womb and the multitude of our other sins.
O thou who didst lay down thy life for the king and shelter thy fatherland and people from danger, courageous warrior of Christ, Iotam! With pious boldness intercede before God, that He may grant glory to the churches, honour to the clergy, good shepherding of the people to the rulers, valour to the soldiers, sinlessness to the laity and chastity to women, and may restore to us godliness, love of righteousness, many children and mercy towards widows and orphans; may He grant us love for a pure life, hatred of unseemly deeds and contrition of heart, crowns with the saints and the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, that we too with thee may glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
It is truly meet that we should magnify thee, O Theotokos, who art ever-blessed and all-immaculate and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the only Theotokos, we magnify in song.
Glory… Both now… Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of the holy Iotam Zedgenidze, who laid down his life for the king, and of all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Author and compiler: Tinatin Mchedlishvili
