During this Year of Saint Joseph, you might like to pray this “Akathist” Hymn in honour of Saint Joseph, either in part or in whole.
Akathist hymns are celebrated mainly in the Eastern Rite of both the Catholic and Orthodox Traditions. Akathist literally means “unseated”, i.e. the hymn is to be sung or recited while standing.
Akathists are dedicated to holy events, saints or a person of the Trinity. There exist at least 1,500 Akathists.
You will find in the text these words: “Kontakion”, which means “stick” or “rod” around which a scroll is rolled (scrolls were the ordinary form in which writings were kept when the Akathists first appeared); “Ikos”, which means a stanza; “apolytikion”, which means dismissal; and “troparion” which is a short hymn usually of one stanza.
The text of this Akathist is very rich and offers a great deal of food for thought and prayer about the great and glorious St. Joseph.
THE AKATHIST HYMN IN HONOR OF THE RIGHTEOUS JOSEPH, THE BETROTHED OF THE MOST-HOLY VIRGIN, MARY
(According to the Usage of the Kyivan Church of the Catholic Communion
THIRD IKOS
Rejoice! For you set your heart to understand the law of God!
Rejoice! Earthly carpenter who was vouchsafed to be called the father of the heavenly Architect!
Desiring to save from the malice of Herod, Him that had come to save the world, O wondrous Joseph, you did not question the angel that commanded you to flee into Egypt, by saying: “Could He that saves others not save Himself”? But being a man of faith, like a new Abraham, ever ready for obedience, giving no thought to the rigors of the journey, nor considering the time of return, you did straightway take yourself to Egypt with Mary and the Babe, joyously crying out to God: ALLELUIA!
Rejoice! Wondrous carpenter, in whose home the Creator of Heaven and earth made His abode!
Rejoice! You that beheld and were witness that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man!
Russian version here: http://samara.orthodoxy.ru/Molitva/Akafist/Svyatie/Iosif_Ob_a.html)
KONTAKION
O righteous Joseph! Chosen protector of the Most-Holy Virgin, Mary, and instructor and nurturer of the God-Man: glorifying your service to the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation of God the Word, we dedicate hymns of praise to you. Standing now before the throne of Christ our God, and having great boldness before Him, pray for us that cry out to you:
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
FIRST IKOS
Preserving the mystery of the birth of God the Word by the all-Pure Virgin, which is inaccessible even to the angels, from the slander of people and the craft of the devil, God chose you, O righteous Joseph, a lowly carpenter, to be the protector and witness of the virginity of the all-Holy Mary. Therefore, glorifying you as a chosen initiate of the mysteries of God, we cry out to you:
Rejoice! Honored offshoot of the root of Jesse!
Rejoice! You who were adorned within with royal majesty!
Rejoice! By lack of earthly things, you acquired spiritual wealth!
Rejoice! Through obscurity you obtained everlasting glory!
Rejoice! You who are far more glorious than kings!
Rejoice! You who are more righteous than the patriarchs and forefathers!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
SECOND KONTAKION
Beholding the Virgin Mary who had grown to maturity in the Temple, Zachariah the High Priest cried out to the Lord: Show me a man worthy to be betrothed to the Virgin, O Lord! And when the rod of Joseph blossomed forth, committing the Virgin to him, he cried aloud to God: ALLELUIA!
SECOND IKOS
Your righteousness is known to all the ends of the earth, O holy Joseph! You were accorded the incomparable honor of being betrothed to the most blessed Virgin. From her Christ God came forth without the aid of man. You were chosen for this because of your steadfast faith, purity, humility and excellence in all the virtues. Therefore, we cry out to you:
Rejoice! O righteous One: betrothed of the most-Pure one!
Rejoice! O man of faith: taking under your roof the holy Virgin, Mary, who, through faith was made the throne of God!
Rejoice! You who are humble of spirit!
Rejoice! You who are simple of heart!
Rejoice! You who are exceedingly adorned with virtues!
Rejoice! O holy one, who ministered unto the most holy!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
THIRD KONTAKION
When the power of the Most High overshadowed her who knew not wedlock, so that she might conceive, Joseph did not know of this wondrous mystery, so that instructed by God Himself, he might cry out to Him: ALLELUIA.
THIRD IKOS
Joseph, beholding the Virgin whose womb contained God, was troubled, knowing that she was not wed and suspecting that she had indulged in illicit love. But being just, he wished to put her away secretly, leaving the judgment unto Him Who knows all things and Who has taught us to cry out to Him:
Rejoice! Zealot of chastity!
Rejoice! O Israelite in whom there is no guile!
Rejoice! You who are good of heart!
Rejoice! You who are meek of demeanor!
Rejoice! You who place all your trust in God!
Rejoice! You who entrust yourself and others to His providence!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
FOURTH KONTAKION
Subduing the tempest of the chaste Joseph’s thoughts of doubt, the angel disclosed to him the mystery of the birth of the Son of God, the Savior of the world, from the unwed Mary; for he said: And you shall call His name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. And to Him do we all cry: ALLELUIA!
FOURTH IKOS
Having heard in the Scriptures of the Lord Who said: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, Emmanuel, you did believe what was told to you by the angel, O righteous Joseph; and like a sealed book, wherein the Word was inscribed by the finger of the Father, you took Mary into your own house, and like a servant you waited upon her with fear and zeal. Therefore, we cry to you:
Rejoice! For you set your heart to understand the law of God!
Rejoice! For you opened your mind to receive the mysteries of God!
Rejoice! For before all men you were vouchsafed to know the great mystery of piety that God has appeared upon earth!
Rejoice! For you perceived His coming to be for the salvation of men from their sins!
Rejoice! For without doubting you believed what was revealed to you!
Rejoice! For your faith was accounted onto you as righteousness!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
FIFTH KONTAKION
Taking the divinely chosen maiden into your home, O blessed Joseph, you loved her as your betrothed, you honored her as the most-holy Virgin and Mother of the Savior of the world, and you ministered to her with fear and reverence, striving with all your soul to keep all that was written in the Law and the Prophets; and with Mary you cried out to God: ALLELUIA!
FIFTH IKOS
Beholding in the manger of Bethlehem the Star that shone forth from Jacob, you first worshipped the Newborn; and when heaven offered Him a star, the angels hymnody, the shepherds testimony and the Magi worship and gifts, you, O righteous Joseph, offered your whole self as a gift to the Lord, dedicating your life, cares and labors to His service. Therefore, we cry to you:
Rejoice! You who before all others beheld the descent to earth of the unsetting Sun of Righteousness!
Rejoice! First witness and servant on earth of the incarnate Son of God, Who was born of the Father before all ages!
Rejoice! Earthly carpenter who was vouchsafed to be called the father of the heavenly Architect!
Rejoice! Protector and guardian of the Infant to Whom the ranks of angels minister with fear!
Rejoice! Reverent servant of the Mother of God, the Word!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
SIXTH KONTAKION
Him Who was foretold by the Law and the Prophets you did circumcise on the eighth day, as a man; and you gave Him the name Jesus, which was preserved in the Counsel of the Trinity, like a precious pearl brought forth from the treasuries of Heaven for the revelation of all people, O Joseph; whereby having astonished the angels, made us glad, terrified the demons and rendered the whole world fragrant as with sweet-smelling myrrh, you cried out to God: ALLELUIA!
SIXTH IKOS
He Who in the Infant Jesus shone forth upon you, as prophesied by Simeon, the light of the gentiles’ revelation and the glory of the people Israel, was straightway covered by a cloud of tribulation, O righteous Joseph, for the nation was in turmoil, Herod raged seeking the life of the Infant, and it was foretold that a sword would pierce the heart of His Mother, in order that your faith and patience may be made manifest unto all. Therefore, we cry to you as to one steadfast in patience and unshaken in faith:
Rejoice! For like gold in the furnace, you were unceasingly purified by trials!
Rejoice! You were humble in joy and patient in the midst of sorrows!
Rejoice! You were ever faithful to the mysteries entrusted to you!
Rejoice! You were guided by faith as by a star in the dark ways of life!
Rejoice! You had hope in God as an anchor amid the tempest of life’s voyage!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
SEVENTH KONTAKION
Desiring to save from the malice of Herod, Him that had come to save the world, O wondrous Joseph, you did not question the angel that commanded you to flee into Egypt, by saying: “Could He that saves others not save Himself”? But being a man of faith, like a new Abraham, ever ready for obedience, giving no thought to the rigors of the journey, nor considering the time of return, you did straightway take yourself to Egypt with Mary and the Babe, joyously crying out to God: ALLELUIA!
SEVENTH IKOS
In Egypt you were shown to be a new Joseph, greater than the patriarch of old, who saved the people of Egypt from famine; for you saved from death the Savior of the world and offered unto the people of Egypt, who were starving amidst the famine of godlessness, the Bread of Life; and you sowed the seed of eternal life, whence a wondrous harvest1 sprang forth in the deserts of Egypt. Therefore we cry to you:
Rejoice! You joyfully endured sorrows and labors on the way, for Christ’s sake!
Rejoice! O guardian of the infant Jesus who once guided Israel in the wilderness with the pillar of fire and a cloud!
Rejoice! Nourisher of Him that sustained His people with manna!
Rejoice! You who bore in your arms the Creator and Sustainer of all creation!
Rejoice! You who did save from the malice of Herod Him that once saved the people of God from the bitter bondage to Pharaoh!
Rejoice! You who showed forth for Egypt the grace of adoption instead of slavery!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
EIGHTH KONTAKION
Having beheld the fearsome wonder: that in Jesus, God was born in the flesh, as was foretold, and laid in a manger as a babe; the Virgin Mother; the angels giving glory and the circumcision; the coming of the Magi from the East to worship Him with gifts; the flight from Herod’s madness into Egypt; the salvation of all and the Light of the Gentiles; and the sword in the heart of her that gave Him birth, as Simeon said, — you knew Him to be true God and true Man, and therefore you cried out to him: ALLELUIA!
EIGHTH IKOS
Having dedicated yourself entirely to God Who called forth His son from Egypt through His angel, you followed His command and made your abode with Jesus and His Mother in Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet concerning Him: He shall be called a Nazarene. Therefore, we cry out to you as a faithful servant of God:
Rejoice! You who worked in harmony with the will of God!
Rejoice! You who took part in the divine economy!
Rejoice! You who ever converse with the angels!
Rejoice! You who were dedicated on earth to the depths of the mysteries of Heaven!
Rejoice! You who listened to the prophets’ prophecies concerning Jesus!
Rejoice! You who reverently kept all these in the depths of your heart!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
NINTH KONTAKION
Every generation of Heaven, earth and the parts beneath the earth bow down at the name of Jesus; and to you, O wondrous Joseph, was the Child Jesus obedient as to His father. But we, marveling at the Lord’s great condescension toward you, cry out to Him: ALLELUIA!
NINTH IKOS
The most eloquent of orators are at a loss as to how to praise you fittingly, O righteous Joseph. The Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven and the earth, called you her lord; the incarnate Son of God called you father, and your home on earth was a habitation of heavenly sanctity, for therein dwelt the King of Heaven and of earth. Therefore, we humbly cry out to you:
Rejoice! Chosen of God, who preserved the tabernacle of heavenly sanctity!
Rejoice! Wondrous carpenter, in whose home the Creator of Heaven and earth made His abode!
Rejoice! Nourisher and guardian of the Child Jesus, Who, as God bestowed existence upon all creatures and takes thought for all the world, visible and invisible!
Rejoice! For on earth you were accounted worthy to behold the Son of God face-to-face, to hold Him in your arms and to kiss Him!
Rejoice! For even after your departure into the heavenly mansions you continually bless the King of glory and glorify Him with the Father and the Holy Spirit, in the light of his countenance!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
TENTH KONTAKION
You can save all that have recourse to your intercession and aid, O blessed Joseph, for how can He Who was subject to you in all things on earth not listen to you in all things as you now stand before Him in Heaven, crying aloud with the angelic choirs: ALLELUIA!
TENTH IKOS
You are a mighty rampart for all who have recourse to your intercession, O righteous Joseph; therefore, do not disdain even us who flee to your assistance, and, amidst the storms of temptations, misfortunes and sorrows of life, cry aloud to you:
Rejoice! Our ready helper amid dangers and want!
Rejoice! Mighty intercessor for us before God.
Rejoice! Our steadfast hope amid the tempest of turmoil and doubt!
Rejoice! Speedy deliverance from the slanders of men!
Rejoice! Nourisher of Him, Who sustains all by the word of His power!
Rejoice! You who deliver us from spiritual famine and from every tribulation!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
ELEVENTH KONTAKION
A most compunctionate hymn do we offer unto you, O divinely wise Joseph; and we entreat you: as you did keep the Lord Christ Himself from all harm and affliction, so by your mediation before Him do you preserve His Holy Orthodox Church from every assault by enemies, visible and invisible; protect our native lands from all sedition, that, leading a peaceful and tranquil life, we may cry out to God: ALLELUIA!
ELEVENTH IKOS
In the Temple did you behold the twelve-year old Child Jesus, the light-bestowing Beacon which has appeared to those in the darkness of ignorance, granting the light of true knowledge unto the teachers of the Law of God, and revealing the mystery of His great service in accordance with the design of the heavenly Father. Therefore, we cry out to you:
Rejoice! Faithful keeper of the Law of your fathers!
Rejoice! For, being zealous in keeping the Law, you did also lead the Child Jesus to the house of the heavenly Father!
Rejoice! For when the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, paternally you did grieve with His Mother,
thinking that He was with friends.
Rejoice! You did seek Him among friends and relatives and, not finding Him, did return to Jerusalem
where, after three days, you did discover Him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and questioning them!
Rejoice! For you did hear the revelation of mysteries when the Child Jesus said:
Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?
Rejoice! You that beheld and were witness that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
TWELFTH KONTAKION
Seeing the Child Jesus increase in favor with God and man, and in stature of body and wisdom, you did lay up all these things in your heart, like a faithful servant keeping secret the treasure entrusted to him, until the day when all believers began to cry to Him as God and Savior of the world: ALLELUIA!
TWELFTH IKOS
Hymning your labors and struggles, we also glorify your blessed repose; for in the arms of God the Word and His Mother you did sweetly rest from your labors, O righteous Joseph, having undoubting belief in blessed eternity. Therefore, we cry out to you:
Rejoice! You that were faithful in a great task!
Rejoice! You that were therefore accounted worthy of the greatest honor by God!
Rejoice! You that on earth were wed to the glory and beauty of Heaven!
Rejoice! You that were permitted to depart in peace unto the age to come by the Father of the age to come!
Rejoice! You that did proclaim the great joy to David!
Rejoice! You that did bear to all in Hades the tidings that Christ was come to free and save the human race!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, you ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
THIRTEENTH KONTAKION
O holy and righteous Joseph! Accept this, our small supplication, and through your mighty mediation before Christ God, do you entreat Him to make us by His grace firm and steadfast in the Orthodox Faith, zealous and undaunted in the keeping of His commandments, and that He grant all that is profitable for our temporal and eternal life to us that cry out to Him: ALLELUIA!
FIRST IKOS
Preserving the mystery of the birth of God the Word by the all-Pure Virgin, which is inaccessible even to the angels, from the slander of people and the craft of the devil, God chose you, O righteous Joseph, a lowly carpenter, to be the protector and witness of the virginity of the all-Holy Mary. Therefore, glorifying you as a chosen initiate of the mysteries of God, we cry out to you:
Rejoice! Honored offshoot of the root of Jesse!
Rejoice! You who were adorned within with royal majesty!
Rejoice! By lack of earthly things, you acquired spiritual wealth!
Rejoice! Through obscurity you obtained everlasting glory!
Rejoice! You who are far more glorious than kings!
Rejoice! You who are more righteous than the patriarchs and forefathers!
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
APOLYTIKION, i.e. DISMISSAL TROPARION, tone 8
O righteous Joseph! Chosen protector of the Most-Holy Virgin, Mary, and instructor and nurturer of the God-Man: glorifying your service to the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation of God the Word, we dedicate hymns of praise to you. Standing now before the throne of Christ our God, and having great boldness before Him, pray for us that cry out to you:
Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!
Prayer
O holy and righteous Joseph! While yet on earth, you did have boldness before the Son of God, Who was well pleased to call you His father, in that you were the betrothed of His Mother, and Who was well pleased to be obedient to you.
We believe that as you do dwell now in the heavenly mansions with the choirs of the righteous, you are listened to, in all that you do request from our God and Savior.
Therefore, fleeing to your protection and defense, we beg and humbly entreat you:
– as you, yourself, were delivered from a storm of doubting thoughts, so also deliver us that are tempest-tossed by the waves of confusion and passions;
– as you did shield the all-Pure Virgin from the slanders of men, so shield us from all kinds of vehement calumny;
– as you did keep the incarnate Lord from all harm and affliction, so also by your defense preserve His Orthodox Church and all of us from all affliction and harm.
You know, O Saint of God, that even the Son of God had bodily needs in the days of His incarnation, and you did attend to them.
Therefore, we beseech you: tend, yourself, to our temporal needs through your intercession, granting us every good thing, which is needful in this life (for the sake of life of the age to come). Especially, do we entreat you to intercede that we may receive remission of our sins from Him Who was called your Son, the only-begotten Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and be worthy of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven, …
So that, abiding with you in the heavenly mansions, we may ever glorify the One God in three Persons: the (+) Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and unto the ages of ages.