The Akathist Hymn: "Glory to God for All Things"

This Akathist, also called the "Akathist of Thanksgiving," was composed by Protopresbyter Gregory Petrov shortly before his death in a prison camp in 1940. The title is from the words of Saint John Chrysostom as he was dying in exile. It is a song of praise from amidst the most terrible sufferings.

(Chanting Key: / = re me fa ; \ fa me re ; _ = do do re ' ~ = re me do re : ^ la re re re re etc.

Kontakion 1: /Everlasting King, Thy will for our salvation is \ full of power. /Thy right arm controls the whole course _ of human life. / We give Thee thanks for all Thy mercies, seen and \ unseen. ~ For eternal life, /for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which \ is to be. /Grant mercy to us who sing Thy \ praise, ~both now and in the time to come.

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age.

Ikos 1: /I was born a weak, defenceless \child, /but Thine angel spread his wings over my cradle _ to defend me. /From birth until now Thy love has illumined my \path, ~and has wondrously guided me ~towards the light of eternity; /from birth until now the generous gifts of Thy providence have been marvelously showered \upon me. ~I give Thee thanks, ~with all who have come to know Thee, ~who call upon Thy name.

/Glory to Thee for calling me \into being

/Glory to Thee, for showing me the beauty \of the universe

/Glory to Thee, spreading out before me heaven and \earth

~Like the pages in a book ~of eternal wisdom

/Glory to Thee for Thine eternity in this fleeting \world

/Glory to Thee for Thy mercies, _seen and unseen

/Glory to Thee through every sigh \of my sorrow

/Glory to Thee for every step _of my life's journey

~For every moment of glory

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 2: ^O Lord, how lovely it is to ~be Thy guest. ^Breeze full of scents; mountains reaching ~to the skies; ^waters like boundless mirrors, reflecting the sun's golden rays and ~the scudding clouds. /All nature murmurs mysteriously, breathing the \depth of tenderness. /Birds and beasts of the forest bear the _imprint of Thy love. /Blessed art thou, mother earth, in thy \fleeting loveliness, ~which wakens our yearning ~for happiness that will last for ever, ~in the land where, amid beauty that grows not old, ~the cry rings out: ~Alleluia!

Ikos 2: ^Thou hast brought me into life as into an enchanted paradise. ^We have seen the sky like a chalice of deepest blue, /where in the azure heights the _birds are singing. ^We have listened to the soothing murmur of the forest and ~the melodious music of the streams. ^We have tasted fruit of fine flavour and the ~sweet scented honey. ^We can live very well on Thine earth. ^It is a pleasure to ~be Thy guest.

/Glory to Thee for the Feast \Day of life

/Glory to Thee for the perfume _of lilies and roses

/Glory to Thee for each different taste of \berry and fruit

/Glory to Thee for the sparkling silver ~of early morning dew

/Glory to Thee for the joy of \dawn's awakening

/Glory to Thee for the new life _each day brings

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 3 ^It is the Holy Spirit who makes us find ~joy in each flower, ^the exquisite scent, ~the delicate colour, /the beauty of the Most High in the _tiniest of things. /Glory and honour to the Spirit, the \Giver of Life, /who covers the fields with their \carpet of flowers, /crowns the harvest with gold, and gives to us the joy of gazing at it _with our eyes. /O be joyful and sing to Him: \Alleluia!

Ikos 3 /How glorious art Thou in the \springtime, /when every creature awakes to new life and joyfully sings Thy praises _with a thousand tongues. /Thou art the Source of Life, the \Destroyer of Death. ~By the light of the moon, _nightingales sing, /and the valleys and hills lie like \wedding garments, _white as snow. /All the earth is Thy promised bride awaiting her \spotless husband. /If the grass of the field is like this, how gloriously shall we be transfigured in the \Second Coming /after the Resurrection! How splendid our bodies, _how spotless our souls!

/Glory to Thee, bringing from the depth of the earth an endless \variety of colours,

~tastes and scents

/Glory to Thee for the warmth and tenderness of the \world of nature

/Glory to Thee for the numberless _creatures around us

/Glory to Thee for the depths of \Thy wisdom, ~the whole world ~a living sign of it

/Glory to Thee; on my knees, I kiss the traces of Thine \unseen hand

/Glory to Thee, enlightening us with the clearness _of eternal life

/Glory to Thee for the hope of the unutterable, imperishable beauty of \immortality

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 4 ^How filled with sweetness are those whose thoughts dwell on Thee; ^how life giving Thy holy Word. ^To speak with Thee is more soothing than anointing with oil; ^sweeter than the honeycomb. /To pray to Thee lifts the \spirit, ~refreshes the soul. /Where Thou art not, there is on_ly emptiness; /hearts are smitten with sadness; nature, and life itself, become \sorrowful; /where Thou art, the soul is _filled with abundance, ~and its song resounds ~like a torrent of life: ~Alleluia!

Ikos 4 /When the sun is setting, when quietness falls like the peace of \eternal sleep, /and the silence of the _spent day reigns, /then in the splendour of its \declining rays, /filtering through the clouds, _I see Thy dwelling place: ~fiery and purple, gold and blue, /they speak prophet like of the ineffable beauty \of Thy presence, ~and call to us in their majesty. ~We turn to the Father.

/Glory to Thee at the hushed hour \of nightfall

/Glory to Thee, covering the earth _with peace

/Glory to Thee for the last ray of the sun \as it sets

/Glory to Thee for sleep's repose _that restores us

/Glory to Thee for Thy goodness even in the \time of darkness

~When all the world ~is hidden from our eyes

/Glory to Thee for the prayers offered by a \trembling soul

/Glory to Thee for the pledge _of our reawakening

~On that glorious last day, ~that day which has no evening

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 5 ^The dark storm clouds of life bring no terror to those in whose hearts Thy fire is burning brightly. ^Outside is the darkness of the whirlwind, the terror and howling of the storm, ^but in the heart, in the presence of Christ, ~there is light and peace, silence: ~Alleluia!

Ikos 5 /I see Thine heavens re\splendent with stars. /How glorious art Thou _radiant with light! /Eternity watches me by the rays of the \distant stars. ~I am small, insignificant, _but the Lord is at my side. /Thy right arm guides me _wherever I go.

/Glory to Thee, ceaselessly \watching over me

/Glory to Thee for the encounters _Thou dost arrange for me

/Glory to Thee for the love of parents, for the \faithfulness of friends

/Glory to Thee for the humbleness ~of the animals which serve me

/Glory to Thee for the unforgettable \moments of life

/Glory to Thee _for the heart's innocent joy

/Glory to Thee for the \joy of living

/Moving and being able _to return Thy love

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 6 ^How great and how close art Thou in the powerful track of the storm! ^How mighty Thy right arm in the blinding flash of the lightning! ^How awesome Thy majesty! /The voice of the Lord fills the fields, it speaks in the \rustling of the trees. /The voice of the Lord is in the thunder _and the downpour. /The voice of the Lord is heard a\bove the waters. ~Praise be to Thee ~in the roar of mountains ablaze. /Thou dost shake the earth _like a garment; /Thou dost pile up to the sky the _waves of the sea. /Praise be to Thee, bringing low _the pride of man. ~Thou dost bring from his heart ~a cry of Penitence: ~Alleluia!

Ikos 6 /When the lightning flash has lit up the \camp dining hall, ~how feeble seems the light from the lamp. /Thus do You, like the lightning, unexpectedly \light up my heart ~with flashes of intense joy. /After Thy blinding light, how drab, how colourless, how illusory _all else seems. ~My souls clings to Thee.

/Glory to Thee, the highest peak of \men's dreaming

/Glory to Thee for our unquenchable thirst _for communion with God

/Glory to Thee, making us dissatisfied with \earthly things

/Glory to Thee, turning on us _Thine healing rays

/Glory to Thee, subduing the power of the \spirits of darkness

_And dooming to death _every evil

/Glory to Thee for the signs \of Thy presence

~For the joy of hearing Thy voice ~and living in Thy love

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 7 ^In the wondrous blending of sounds it is Thy call we hear; ^in the harmony of many voices, ^in the sublime beauty of music, ^in the glory of the works of great composers: /Thou leadest us to the threshold of \paradise to come, ~and to the choirs of angels. /All true beauty has the power to draw the soul \towards Thee, ~and to make it sing ~in ecstasy: ~Alleluia!

Ikos 7 /The breath of Thine Holy Spirit inspires artists, poets and \scientists. /The power of Thy supreme knowledge makes them prophets and interpreters _of Thy laws, /who reveal the depths of Thy cre\ative wisdom. ~Their works speak unwittingly of Thee. ~How great art Thou in Thy creation! ~How great art Thou in man!

/Glory to Thee, showing Thine unsurpassable power in the \laws of the universe

/Glory to Thee, for all nature is _filled with Thy laws

/Glory to Thee for what Thou hast revealed to us \in Thy mercy

/Glory to Thee for what Thou hast hidden from us \in Thy wisdom

/Glory to Thee for the inventiveness _of the human mind

/Glory to Thee for the dignity \of man's labour

/Glory to Thee for the tongues of fire that \bring inspiration

/Glory to Thee, O God, _from age to age

Kontakion 8 ^How near Thou art in the day of sickness. ^You Yourself visit the sick; ^You Yourself bend over the sufferer's bed. ^His heart speaks to You. /In the throes of sorrow and suffering Thou bringest peace and unexpected \consolation. ~Thou art the comforter. /Thou art the love which watches over \and heals us. ~To Thee we sing the song: ~Alleluia!

Ikos 8 /When in childhood I called upon Thee consciously \for the first time, /Thou didst hear my prayer, and Thou didst fill my heart with the \blessing of peace. /At that moment I knew Thy goodness and knew how blessed are those who \turn to Thee. /I started to call upon Thee _night and day; /and now even now _I call upon Thy name.

/Glory to Thee, satisfying my desires \with good things

/Glory to Thee, watching over me _day and night

/Glory to Thee, curing affliction and emptiness with the healing \flow of time

/Glory to Thee, no loss is irreparable \in Thee, ~giver of eternal life to all

/Glory to Thee, making immortal all that is \lofty and good

/Glory to Thee, _promising us the longed for meeting ~with our loved ones who have died

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 9 ^Why is it that on a Feast Day the whole of nature mysteriously smiles? ^Why is it that then a heavenly gladness fills our hearts; ^a gladness far beyond that of earth and the very air in church ~and in the altar becomes luminous? /It is the breath _of Thy gracious love. /It is the reflection of the glory \of Mount Tabor. ~Then do heaven and earth sing Thy praise: ~Alleluia!

Ikos 9 /When Thou did call me to serve my brothers and filled my soul \with humility, /one of Thy deep, piercing rays _shone into my heart; /it became luminous, full of light like iron glowing \in the furnace. ~I have seen Thy face, ~face of mystery and of unapproachable glory. /Glory to Thee, transfiguring our lives with \deeds of love

/Glory to Thee, making wonderfully Sweet the \keeping of Thy commandments

/Glory to Thee, making Thyself known where man shows mercy \on his neighbour

/Glory to Thee, sending us failure and misfortune that we may understand the \sorrows of others /Glory to Thee, rewarding us so well _for the good we do

/Glory to Thee, welcoming the impulse \of our heart's love

/Glory to Thee, raising to the heights of heaven every act of love in \earth and sky

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 10 ^No one can put together what has crumbled into dust, ^but Thou canst restore a conscience turned to ashes. ^Thou canst restore to its former beauty a soul lost and without hope. /With Thee, there is nothing that \cannot be redeemed. _Thou art love; ~Thou art Creator and Redeemer. ~We praise Thee, singing: ~Alleluia!

Ikos 10 /Remember, my God, the fall of Lucifer \full of pride, /keep me safe with the power \of Thy Grace; /save me from falling _away from Thee. /Save me from doubt. Incline my heart to hear Thy mysterious voice every moment \of my life. /Incline my heart to call upon Thee, present in \everything.

/Glory to Thee for \every happening

~Every condition Thy providence has put me in

/Glory to Thee for what Thou speakest to me \in my heart

/Glory to Thee for what Thou revealest to me, _asleep or awake

/Glory to Thee for scattering our vain i\maginations

/Glory to Thee for raising us \from the slough _of our passions through suffering

/Glory to Thee for curing our pride of heart by hu\miliation

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 11 ^Across the cold chains of the centuries, ^I feel the warmth of Thy breath, ^I feel Thy blood pulsing in my veins. /Part of time has already gone, but now \Thou art the present. ~I stand by Thy Cross; ~I was the cause of it. /I cast myself down in the \dust before it. ~Here is the triumph of love,

~the victory of salvation. /Here the centuries themselves cannot re\main silent, _singing Thy praises: ~Alleluia!

Ikos 11 ^Blessed are they that will share in the King's Banquet: ^but already on earth Thou givest me a foretaste of this blessedness. ^How many times with Thine own hand hast Thou held out to me Thy Body and Thy Blood, ^and I, though a miserable sinner, have received this Mystery, ^and have tasted Thy love, ~so ineffable, ~so heavenly.

/Glory to Thee for the unquenchable fire \of Thy Grace

/Glory to Thee, _building Thy Church, ~a haven of peace ~in a tortured world

/Glory to Thee for the life giving \water of Baptism ~in which we find new birth

/Glory to Thee, restoring to the penitent purity \white as the lily

_Glory to Thee ~for the cup of salvation ~and the bread of eternal joy

/Glory to Thee for exalting us to the \highest heaven

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 12 ^How often have I seen the reflection of Thy glory in the faces of the dead. ^How resplendent they were, with beauty and heavenly joy. ^How ethereal, how translucent their faces. ^How triumphant over suffering and death, their felicity and peace. /Even in the silence _they were calling upon Thee. /In the hour of my death, enlighten my soul, too, that it may \cry out to Thee: ~Alleluia!

Ikos 12 ^What sort of praise can I give Thee? ^I have never heard the song of the Cherubim, a joy reserved for the spirits above. /But I know the praises that \nature sings to Thee. /In winter, I have beheld how silently in the moonlight the whole earth \offers Thee prayer, ~clad in its white mantle of snow, ~sparkling like diamonds. /I have seen how the rising sun re\joices in Thee, /how the song of the birds is a chorus of \praise to Thee. /I have heard the mysterious mutterings of the forests \about Thee, /and the winds singing Thy praise as they \stir the waters. /I have understood how the choirs of stars pro\claim Thy glory /as they move forever in the depths _of infinite space. ~What is my poor worship! ~All nature obeys Thee, _I do not. /Yet while I live, I \see Thy love, ~I long to thank Thee, ~and call upon Thy name.

/Glory to Thee, \giving us light

/Glory to Thee, loving us with love so deep, di\vine and infinite

/Glory to Thee, blessing us with light, and with the host of \angels and saints

/Glory to Thee, Father all holy, promising us a share_ in Thy Kingdom

/Glory to Thee, Holy Spirit, life giving \Sun of the world to come

/Glory to Thee for all things, _Holy and most merciful Trinity

~Glory to Thee, O God, ~from age to age

Kontakion 13 ^Life giving and merciful Trinity, ^receive my thanksgiving for all Thy goodness. ~Make us worthy of Thy blessings, /so that, when we have brought to fruit the talents Thou hast en\trusted to us, ~we may enter into the joy of our Lord, ~forever exulting in the shout of victory: ~Alleluia!

(repeat Kontakion 13 and Alleluia three times * Then repeat Ikos 1 and then Kontakion 1)