Akathist to Holy Apostle James, the Brother of Our Lord

Kontakion 1

To the apostle of Christ, the all-glorious hierarch, the unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ and martyr, the all-wise James, the blessed brother of God, let us send up hymns of praise to our mediator and speedy helper. As you stand before the throne of the All-Holy Trinity, never cease to pray for us, and by your supplications preserve us from all tribulations and evils who with faith celebrate your memory and cry out:

Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Ikos 1

The Creator of the angels and Fashioner of all creation showed you to be like a star of surpassing radiance shining in the firmament of the Church, dispelling the darkness of false belief and enlightening the world with the struggle of life, O James. And we, fleeing to your aid, with joy offer you such praises as these:

Rejoice, you were chosen by God to reveal the Mysteries of salvation!
Rejoice, you were shown to be the brother of the Lord according to the flesh!
Rejoice, glory of the Church Universal!
Rejoice, with a loud voice you fearlessly proclaimed the words of God to the people in the midst of the wrathful Jews!
Rejoice, true helmsman of the Church!
Rejoice, divinely wise teacher of the unapproachable Mysteries of God!
Rejoice, hierarch of the Jerusalem here below, who now abides in the Jerusalem on high!
Rejoice, you offered a pure sacrifice to the King and Creator, Whom you confessed before your tormentors, O Hieromartyr!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 2

Foreseeing your life from afar, O James, Christ Who loves mankind, accepted you as His brother, as you were an elder son in the family of the righteous Joseph, the betrothed. And from the years of your youth you were consecrated to God as a Nazarite, living a life of abstinence, so by the goodness of your conduct and the purity of your mind you were shown to be a true disciple of Christ, and have been vouchsafed to chant eternally at the throne of the Master: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

When Herod the king sought the infant Jesus to slay Him, lo! The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: “Arise, and take the Child and His Mother, and flee into Egypt!” And as you were a kinsman of Jesus in the flesh, O James, you remained with His Mother and Joseph, escaping with them to Egypt. Wherefore, as the friend closest to Christ from His infancy, O James, accept from us these heartfelt praises:

Rejoice, you were the son of those who trod the path of the Lord!
Rejoice, in Christ you gazed upon the face of God!
Rejoice, you received much favor from Christ!
Rejoice, you are illumined with the effulgence of Christ!
Rejoice, you were a brother of Christ the Chief!
Rejoice, you were vouchsafed twofold honors by Christ!
Rejoice, through Christ you found the heavenly Father!
Rejoice, even now you look upon Christ in ineffable light!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 3

After the Ascension of the Savior, the choir of the apostles, not conferring glory, chose you, O righteous James, to be the hierarch of Christ in the Holy City. And the Lord appeared to you personally after your consecration to the see of the Church of Jerusalem, thereby manifesting His good will toward you. And marveling at this benefaction of God for you, we sing to the Almighty: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

You took up the difficult apostolic ministry while surrounded by the most hardened and open enemies of the Christian Faith; and for thirty years you tirelessly proclaimed and established the saving faith in the Holy City and the land of Palestine. Wherefore, giving thanks to our Creator and Savior, we glorify you, the great chosen one of God:

Rejoice, by the providence of the Lord, Jerusalem was shown to you as the place where you were to preach the Word of God!
Rejoice, you received great authority from God!
Rejoice, herald of the glad tidings of the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world!
Rejoice, you baptized the Jewish people in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, good shepherd and splendid teacher, through you God has adorned His Church!
Rejoice, wellspring from which we drink the water of life!
Rejoice, having taken up the apostolic cross you tirelessly followed in the steps of the Savior!
Rejoice, with the effulgence of the divine Spirit you dispelled the darkness of false belief and enlightened the hearts of the faithful!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 4

Many of the Jewish people were converted to the Church of Christ out of great trust in your word, O just father; and by your righteous way of life you even won the love and respect of those Jews who did not convert. Wherefore, praising your unfaltering labors, we earnestly cry out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

Paying no heed to the hatred for the Christians of the Sanhedrin and the Chief Priests of the Jews, who slandered the Christians as enemies of the Law of Moses, you bore witness, O James, uttering wisdom: He who converts to the Faith of Christ does not fall away from the true Faith of his fathers. And seeing the surpassing virtue of you, the tireless shepherd of the Church of Christ, we cry out to you with thanksgiving:

Rejoice, by your righteous way of life you subdued and put to shame the inglorious foe!
Rejoice, you narrowed all the ways of the enemy with the scope of your godly understanding!
Rejoice, by the grace that flowed from your mouth you taught the reason-endowed sheep to believe in the consubstantial Trinity!
Rejoice, unshakable pillar of piety and undefeatable rampart of the Church!
Rejoice, you shone upon those in the darkness of ignorance, summoning all the heights of piety!
Rejoice, having assembled your flock by the preaching of your exalted way of life, you delivered it from the wolves of evil!
Rejoice, as the brother of God, on earth you valiantly confessed the Son of God Most High!
Rejoice, holy apostle, who was invested with wisdom, illumined by grace and adorned with the beauty of peace!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 5

You served your ministry in the Church of Jerusalem with great prudence, rendering what is due to the true Faith of the fathers; and even the zealots of the law of the Old Testament saw in you the image of a High Priest of Israel, O father James. And we unceasingly chant to God Who gave you great wisdom: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

Treading your earthly path in holiness from your mother’s womb, you were vouchsafed to enter into the holy temple of Jerusalem, where you prayed for the remission of the sins of the people, and your knees grew calloused from your constant kneeling in prayer, O father James. Wherefore, as is fitting, we praise you as our advocate before God:

Rejoice, by your virtuous way of life you enlightened your people like the radiant sun!
Rejoice, it was your teaching to disdain the flesh and to cling to the immortal soul!
Rejoice, diligent laborer in the vineyard of Christ!
Rejoice, having received the grace of the divine Spirit you burned up the darkness of false belief!
Rejoice, you utterly enslaved your flesh to your spirit!
Rejoice, tireless advocate before God!
Rejoice, you united your flock with the bond of love!
Rejoice, full of grace, you were a light to the world and the salt of the earth!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 6

You were enlightened by the Holy Spirit, O father James, when you wisely devised the rite of the Divine Liturgy, being like a sower of good seed, producing fruit a hundredfold. And now you mercifully regard us from the heavens and abundantly bestow grace from Christ God the Compassionate upon us all; and to Him you chant with the angels in the heavens: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

You were taught how to serve the Divine Liturgy by Christ Himself, and codified the life of the Church of Christ, O father James, setting forth the law with a life-giving spirit and proclaiming the ineffable Mysteries of God. And sanctifying the flock through the Mysteries of the Church, you taught them the Mysteries of the Faith. Wherefore, to you, the faithful servant of the Holy Trinity, we chant such things as these:

Rejoice, good adorner of the rites of the Church!
Rejoice, you enlightened the world, O blessed one, with your teachings!
Rejoice, the light of the knowledge of God was poured forth in the world through you!
Rejoice, by you the mysteries of heaven and earth were inscribed!
Rejoice, you were exalted in spirit to divine mysteries!
Rejoice, with the divine rays of your preaching you shined with the light of grace upon those sitting in the darkness of delusion!
Rejoice, with a pure mind and holy mouth you set divinely inspired salvation before all the faithful!
Rejoice, God the Word richly enlightened you with the splendors of divine grace!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 7

Among those who proclaimed the glad tidings of the word of Christ to the Gentile peoples there arose disputes and arguments concerning the Law of Moses; and a council of the apostles was convened in the city of Jerusalem, under your presidency, O father James, where your weighty discourse on the salvation of the soul in the Christian Church without the observation of the full rite of the Law of Moses was unanimously accepted by the council, and through the apostles you announced it to the Churches. And we bless you, who taught us how to rightly understand the teaching of Christ and to sing to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

Wisely you discussed at the council the end of the period of the Old Law, as well as God’s providence for the conversion and salvation of the Gentiles; and by the presidency of the hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem, the Mother of Churches, at this apostolic council the heresy of the Latin popes of the supposed divinely established supremacy of the Roman See was refuted. And we cry out to you as to one great among the hierarchs of Christ:

Rejoice, interpreter of the will of God, to whom the whole Church of the Jewish Christians submitted without complaint!
Rejoice, you taught concerning salvation through the grace of Christ not only of the Jews, but of the Gentiles also!
Rejoice, you bore witness to the agreement of the word of Christ with the teachings of the prophets and traditions of the fathers!
Rejoice, you set before those sitting in the darkness, the laws of salvation and led them to the light of the right Faith!
Rejoice, ray of noetic light, lamp of the Church, beauty of salvation!
Rejoice, deep well of the true knowledge of God!
Rejoice, you pour forth rivers of divine discourse from your inward parts!
Rejoice, the cup of your wisdom was full of the virtues!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 8

You were shown to be a wise Christian, a peacemaker and interpreter of the Law and of Truth in your epistle: “To the twelve tribes in dispersion, who were in no confusion and perplexity concerning the teaching of Christ.” And you enlightened and taught them that the divine will is the will of the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Wherefore, teach us also to chant with all our heart to the Creator and Maker: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

The teaching of the apostles reached even to congregations of Israelites who were far from the Holy City, and there was confusion among the righteous Jews: Was the appearance of Christ the expectation of the people of God, or the abolition of the Law of Moses? With truly divine understanding you steered the Church of Jerusalem without abandoning the rites of Moses, O father James, and in the grace of Christ you strengthened those who converted. And to the Apostle Paul you said: “How many thousands of believing Jews are there, and all are zealots of the Law.” And we praise you who acquired heavenly wisdom:

Rejoice, with the word of divine knowledge you delivered men from ignorance and led them to Christ!
Rejoice, you acquired divine understanding!
Rejoice, by your labors you guided the reason-endowed sheep to the water of salvation!
Rejoice, rightly were you given the task of the pastoral care of souls!
Rejoice, you gained the hearts of your flock, which were full of love for you!
Rejoice, O divinely eloquent one, by your teachings you shined a ray of the Sun upon the world!
Rejoice, you skillfully pursued the souls of men!
Rejoice, beacon of grace divine!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 9

The most eloquent of orators could not rightly fathom your wisdom, O father James; for when there was murmuring over the teaching of Christ among the newly converted Jews, who had heard that man is saved not by faith alone, and who falsely assumed that in accommodating the Gentile converts the works of the Law of Moses were set aside, you, O father James, in your epistle explained that saving faith lies not only in the study of books and outward confession, but in faith abounding in love and works done in the name of Christ. And to Him, Who in His mercy loves mankind, we unceasingly cry out: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

You perceived how the sacrificial faith of Abraham had been perverted into the hypocritical and dead faith of the leaders of the Jews, O father James; and with faith you denounced the so-called teachers of wisdom, and instructed the people in the Christian Faith, which is patient amid trials, trusts in God, and bears burdens in humility. And to you, as to a divinely wise instructor, we thankfully sing:

Rejoice, you proclaim: “As the body without the spirit is dead, even so faith, if it has not works, is dead”!
Rejoice, you teach: “Count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations”!
Rejoice, you give enlightenment: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for he will receive the crown of life”!
Rejoice, you say: “The trying of your faith works patience”!
Rejoice, you speak wisdom: “To him who knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin”!
Rejoice, you pronounce: “The love of the world is enmity with God”!
Rejoice, you state: “Pray for one another, for the prayer of a righteous man avails much”!
Rejoice, you cry out: “He who converts a sinner from the error of his ways shall save a soul from death”!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 10

You strengthened those converted to the Faith, O father James, and prepared them for sufferings to come; and you called them to true unity with the prophets, to patience and prayerful trust in God, Who holds all things and all men in His hand. By your supplications vouchsafe that we, the unworthy, may chant to God with understanding: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

You taught your people the saving Faith of Christ: “Pure and immaculate faith before God is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself undefiled by the world”; and again, “Mercy is the life of the soul.” And to you, Father James, who prays for the renewal of our hardened and withered hearts, we cry without ceasing:

Rejoice, you say: “He who has shown no mercy shall have judgment without mercy”!
Rejoice, you reason: “The wrath of man works not the righteousness of God”!
Rejoice, you teach: “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace”!
Rejoice, you utter: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”!
Rejoice, you cry: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up”!
Rejoice, our guide to heaven!
Rejoice, true interpreter of the word of God!
Rejoice, you move to the struggle those who do the works of love!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 11

The leaders of the Jews, who had fallen away from grace, saw that a multitude of men and women were joining the Church of Christ out of trust in the most glorious apostle; and the false teachers plotted how to bring an end to this, for the Sanhedrin could not tolerate a true righteous man who served the Lord blamelessly. O, father James, bless, strengthen and guide us to advance in the saving Faith, chanting to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

When the Passover was celebrated, and all the tribes of the Jews and a multitude of the Gentiles assembled in the city of Jerusalem, you, O father James, tirelessly proclaimed the words of life everlasting. And when leaders of the Jews learned that Festus the Procurator was departing at that time, they took counsel as to how to slay you, the pastor of the Holy City. And we earnestly cry out to you, a courageous warrior of Christ:

Rejoice, you fearlessly declared the truth of Christ in the face of the leaders!
Rejoice, lamp of Orthodoxy!
Rejoice, maintainer of the rules of the Church without respect of persons!
Rejoice, by you the Church of Christ is wondrously adorned!
Rejoice, by your divinely wise teachings the minds of the faithful are led up to heaven!
Rejoice, by the strength of your preaching you caused the winter of delusion to melt away!
Rejoice, most wise fisherman, holy hierarch and preacher!
Rejoice, for Christ, Who enlightens the whole world, shined as a ray of the Sun of righteousness!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 12

The High Priest of the Jews, Ananus the Sadducee, commanded that a great assembly of the people gather before the temple of Jerusalem; and by deceit you were lured up onto the pinnacle of the holy temple, where in the presence of the assembly of the people the ungodly ones demanded of you: “Tell us of the Crucified One!” Then, ready to endure all manner of tortures for the sake of Christ, you were clothed in power given you by God. And we cry out with a loud voice to God Who strengthened you for the struggle of martyrdom: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

Filled with the Holy Spirit, O God-bearing father, you said before the people: “He sits in the heavens at the right hand of the Most High Power, and will come on the clouds of heaven!” And when they heard this, the ungodly gnashed their teeth and rushed upon you; and they cast you down from the pinnacle of the holy temple, O holy apostle. But rising to your knees, you prayed to the Creator to have mercy on those who were slaying you; and you were stoned and clubbed to death near the wall of the holy temple, where you were buried by your flock. And we joyously cry out to you who intercede before the throne of the Holy Trinity:

Rejoice, cast down by the Jews, you have been vouchsafed the mansions of heaven!
Rejoice, slain, you were an imitator of the suffering of the Lord!
Rejoice, apostolic foundation of the Jerusalem on high!
Rejoice, you offered a pure sacrifice to the King and Creator!
Rejoice, soaked with blood, O blessed one you entered the heavenly Church as a priest!
Rejoice, we have you as a mighty helper in the sight of God!
Rejoice, you stand before the throne of the Holy Trinity, O crowned one, and enjoy imperishable honors!
Rejoice, invincible Hieromartyr, all-praised hierarch and luminary of the whole world!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 13

O all-glorious Apostle James, brother of the Lord, most radiant lamp of the Church of Christ! Accept this laudation, which is offered to you with love from reverent hearts, and ask of Christ God for us confirmation in the Faith, remission of transgressions, and deliverance from everlasting condemnation, that we may be accounted worthy to sing with you to God in the Kingdom of Heaven, to the ages of ages: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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

Ikos 1

The Creator of the angels and Fashioner of all creation showed you to be like a star of surpassing radiance shining in the firmament of the Church, dispelling the darkness of false belief and enlightening the world with the struggle of life, O James. And we, fleeing to your aid, with joy offer you such praises as these:

Rejoice, you were chosen by God to reveal the Mysteries of salvation!
Rejoice, you were shown to be the brother of the Lord according to the flesh!
Rejoice, glory of the Church Universal!
Rejoice, with a loud voice you fearlessly proclaimed the words of God to the people in the midst of the wrathful Jews!
Rejoice, true helmsman of the Church!
Rejoice, divinely wise teacher of the unapproachable Mysteries of God!
Rejoice, hierarch of the Jerusalem here below, who now abides in the Jerusalem on high!
Rejoice, you offered a pure sacrifice to the King and Creator, Whom you confessed before your tormentors, O Hieromartyr!
Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Kontakion 1

To the apostle of Christ, the all-glorious hierarch, the unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ and martyr, the all-wise James, the blessed brother of God, let us send up hymns of praise to our mediator and speedy helper. As you stand before the throne of the All-Holy Trinity, never cease to pray for us, and by your supplications preserve us from all tribulations and evils who with faith celebrate your memory and cry out:

Rejoice, O Father James, first hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem and glorious Hieromartyr!

Prayer to the Holy Apostle James, the Brother of Our Lord

O great favorite of God, divinely chosen and divinely glorified Apostle James, brother of the Lord! You are the great hierarch of the Holy City, our fervent helper and mediator, who stands before the throne of the All-Holy Trinity; do not withhold your aid from us, but raise us up who have been cast down by many sins. As a Hieromartyr with authority to loose and to bind, loose the bonds of our evils, and by your supplications reckon us partakers of the love of God and the Kingdom of Heaven, O blessed one. Entreat Christ the Savior, that He vouchsafe us, that we may complete our earthly sojourn without stumbling, that we may be accounted worthy of the blessed and eternal life in heaven, and with you to praise the indivisible Trinity unceasingly, hymning the one Godhead of the Father, the Son, and the Most Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen.