AKATHISTOS SATURDAY: Hymn to the Mother of God

The Akathistos Hymn to the Holy Theotokos (God-Bearer) is the greatest Hymn of Praise to the Mother of God in the Eastern Church, and attributed to Saint Romanus the Melodist (d. 560 AD). The word akathistos is from the Greek language meaning 'without sitting,' because all stand throughout the hymn. Over the centuries, a number of Akathists were composed: e.g., to Our Sweetest Lord Jesus, to the Mother of God under various titles, and to various saints.

The Akathistos Hymn to the Mother of God was originally associated with the Feast of the Holy Annunciation to the Mother of God (March 25) and is centered on the Incarnation of Christ our Lord. The hymn contains a great variety of salutations(greetings) of praise to the Mother of God, each beginning with the word "Rejoice!" (some translations "Hail" or "Joy to you"). All of these salutations echo the greeting of the Holy Archangel Gabriel, who, at the command of God, greeted the holy Virgin Mary with the words: "Rejoice! O full of grace! The Lord is with you!" (Lk. 1:28).

The text of the Akathist Hymn may be obtained online:
Akathist Hymns Byzantines.net Page down to The Akathist Hymn to Our Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary