Akathist to the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon

Kontakion 1

 Chosen passion-bearer of Christ and gracious healer, who freely grantest healing to the sick, we praise thee in songs as our protector.As thou hast boldness with the Lord, free us from all harm and sickness who cry with love to thee:

Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Ekos 1

We know thee, glorious Panteleimon, as an earthly angel and heavenly man.For adorned with angelic purity and martyrdom thou hast passed from earth to Heaven, where with the angels and all the saints standing before the throne of the Lord of Glory, thou prayest for all of us on earth who venerate thee with these invocations: Rejoice, torch of piety!Rejoice, most glorious lamp of the Church!Rejoice, adornment of venerable martyrs!Rejoice, support of the faithful in unflinching endurance!Rejoice, outstanding boast of youth!Rejoice, warrior of Christ of invincible courage!Rejoice, thou who having grown up in the world wast not of the world!Rejoice, angel in the flesh, surpassing mortals!Rejoice, vessel of divine knowledge!Rejoice, thou by whom faith has been exalted!Rejoice, thou by whom delusion has been dethroned!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 2

Seeing thee to be a chosen vessel, the Lord loved the beauty of thy soul; for, despising all earthly glory and pleasure, thou didst long to adorn thyself with the crown of martyrdom, wounded with divine love and singing inspiringly:Alleluia! 

Ekos 2

Possessing divinely inspired knowledge, O valiant warrior Panteleimon, thou didst astound the Emperor Maximian by the courage of thy soul and by the words with which thou didst fearlessly preach Christ.Wherefore, praising thy boldness we say to thee: Rejoice, thou who didst despise Maximian’s threats!Rejoice, thou who didst not yield to the advice of the godless!Rejoice, propagator of true adoration!Rejoice, uprooter of demon worship!Rejoice, accuser of the fury of torturers!Rejoice, overthrower of the delusion of idols!Rejoice, thou who didst disperse the assembly of the godless!Rejoice, thou who didst exchange corruptible for heavenly joy!Rejoice, converser with immaterial angels!Rejoice, fellow-chorister of longsuffering saints!Rejoice, thou by whom Satan was put to shame!Rejoice, thou by whom Christ is glorified!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 3

By the power of the Most High given to thee and by thy strong patience thou didst render powerless the torturer’s insolence, O valiant victor, undaunted by fire, wild beasts, and the wheel.When beheaded with the sword, thou didst receive the crown of martyrdom, wounded with divine love and singing inspiringly:  Alleluia!

Ekos 3

The monastery which hath thy precious head as a great treasure, O divinely wise martyr, is filled with joy over it, and praising with love the Grace of healing given thee by God, thankfully crieth to thee: Rejoice, all-radiant lamp of Nicomedia!Rejoice, unsleeping guardian of the monastery that honoreth thee!Rejoice, thou through whom godlessness grew cold!Rejoice, thou through whom the knowledge of God hath increased!Rejoice, bright glory of passion-bearers!Rejoice, joyous report of the Orthodox!Rejoice, gracious source of healings!Rejoice, container of great gifts!Rejoice, fragrant myrrh that doth sweeten souls!Rejoice, for thou dost help those who call upon thee!Rejoice, thou who didst give sight to the blind!Rejoice, thou who didst cause the lame to walk!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

Kontakion 4

Possessed by a storm of polytheistic thoughts, the impious Emperor was confused on learning from the doctors who were jealous of thee that thou healest all kinds of incurable illnesses by the name of Christ.And we, glorifying with gladness our wonderful God in thee, cry to Him:Alleluia!  

Ekos 4

When the people of Nicomedia heard of thy great compassion for the suffering and of thy free healing of all illnesses, all rushed to thee with faith in the healing Grace in thee, and receiving swift healing of all their diseases they glorified God and magnified thee, their most gracious healer, crying to thee: Rejoice, thou who art anointed with the myrrh of Grace!Rejoice, sanctified temple of God!Rejoice, great glory of the pious!Rejoice, firm wall of the oppressed!Rejoice, thou who surpassest the wise in knowledge!Rejoice, thou who enlightenest the thoughts of the faithful!Rejoice, recipient of divine gifts and source of many of the Lord’s mercies to us!Rejoice, speedy helper of the suffering!Rejoice, harbor of the storm-tossed!Rejoice, instructor for those astray!Rejoice, thou who dost heal the sick freely!Rejoice, thou who dost impart healing abundantly!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon! 

Kontakion 5

 The Lord worked a glorious miracle through thee when, through His servant Hermolaus, He called thee into His marvelous light.For after thy prayer to Christ a child who had died from snakebite at once revived and stood up healed.Then recognizing the Lifegiver as the true God of all, with firm faith thou didst cry to Him:Alleluia! 

Ekos 5

The blind man whom thou didst touch with prayer in the name of Christ recovered his sight O glorious martyr.Then, renouncing thy father’s polytheism, thou wast baptized by the priest Hermolaus and didst embrace thy mother’s religion with which thou didst also enlighten thy father.Therefore we cry aloud to thee as to a glorious servant of God and wonderful healer: Rejoice, thou who hast great devotion to God!Rejoice, thou who art ever aflame with the fire of divine love!Rejoice, attentive listener to the teachings of the priest Hermolaus!Rejoice, thou who didst follow the advice of thy mother Eubule!Rejoice, thou who didst give away everything to obtain Christ!Rejoice, thou who didst vanquish love for the world by love for God!Rejoice, for instead of the pleasures of the world thou didst accept for Christ cruel sufferings!Rejoice, for thou didst become a partaker of Christ’s Passion!Rejoice, thou who didst overcome all the passions!Rejoice, thou who through Grace wast adorned with dispassion!Rejoice, thou who dost fill with joy those who hasten to thee!Rejoice, thou who dost heal all freely by the Grace of Christ!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon! 

Kontakion 6

 The blind man enlightened by thee in body and soul became a preacher of the truth for, like the blind man of the Gospel, he boldly preached Christ to all as the true light that enlighteneth every man.But for reproaching the impious Emperor and the pagan gods he was beheaded and rose to the unwaning light in Heaven to sing to God:Alleluia! 

Ekos 6

 Standing before the Emperor’s tribunal with a radiant face thou didst boldly declare in the hearing of all, thrice-blessed martyr:Mine all-healing power and glory is Christ, the true God, the Lord of all, Who raiseth the dead and healeth all infirmities.For this confession we bless thee and say: Rejoice, thundering mouth of the deity of Christ!Rejoice, mellifluous tongue that declareth His plan of salvation!Rejoice, orator of sublime theology!Rejoice, wise sower of piety!Rejoice, sweet-sounding flute of faith!Rejoice, glorious preacher of Orthodoxy!Rejoice, thou who wast shown to be marvelous before thy death!Rejoice, seer of Christ’s glory!Rejoice, listener to those who pray to thee!Rejoice, giver of help to those who need it!Rejoice, obtainer of blessings for those who honor thy memory!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon! 

Kontakion 7

 Myrrh was poured out on thy soul, O divinely wise healer, from the Comforter Spirit, wherefore after thy death thy venerable relics, by their fragrance banish the stench of the passions and give healing to those who with faith cry to God:Alleluia! 

Ekos 7

 When the worshippers of idols beheld, O Saint, the paralyzed man raised and walking through thy prayer many believed in Christ; but the demon’s priests, consumed with jealousy, incited the Emperor to anger.Therefore, to thee who wast mercilessly tortured and burnt for Christ, we cry with compunction: Rejoice, thou who didst despise earthly pleasures!Rejoice, thou who wast above material comforts!Rejoice, for thou didst regard as nothing all the beautiful things in this world!Rejoice, for thou didst shake thyself free of fleeting glory!Rejoice, thou who didst remain free from the nets of the devil!Rejoice, thou who didst vanquish the wiles of the torturers!Rejoice, thou who didst not spare thy life for Christ!Rejoice, thou who wast shown to be an enemy of hostile flesh!Rejoice, thou who didst oppress the spread of polytheism!Rejoice, thou who by the power of God didst defeat the idols!Rejoice, sharp arrow by which enemies are wounded!Rejoice, mediator who defendest the faithful!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon! 

Kontakion 8

 The Lord appeared to thee in a wonderful way, encouraging and upholding thee in the tortures for His name.For in the person of the priest Hermolaus He cooled the boiling lead into which thou was thrown, and in the sea He untied the great stone from thy neck and brought thee unharmed to land.But thou, having been brought again before the Emperor, didst sing triumphantly to Christ our God:Alleluia! 

Ekos 8

While dwelling noetically wholly in Heaven, thou leavest not those below on earth but remainest with us through the relics of thy holy skull, O great passion-bearer of Christ, receiving from the Lord enlightenment and sanctification and giving it to those who cry to thee thus: Rejoice, thou who art filled with divine wisdom!Rejoice, discerner of God’s providence!Rejoice, delight of minds made wise by God!Rejoice, gladness of souls who love God!Rejoice, bright pearl of Christ!Rejoice, thou who wast sanctified in soul and body!Rejoice, dweller in the courts of the firstborn in Heaven!Rejoice, inhabitant of the ever-blessed bridal halls!Rejoice, beholder of the light of the Trinity!Rejoice, fervent mediator in thy prayers to God for us!Rejoice, thou who grantest illumination to souls!Rejoice, thou who sendest comfort to the afflicted!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon! 

Kontakion 9

 All nature marveled, O Panteleimon, at the radiance of Grace and wealth of virtues in thee: thine angelic purity, thy great courage in cruel sufferings, thy strong love for Christ and great compassion for people, for whom thou doest glorious things that they may sing:Alleluia! 

Ekos 9

 Eloquent orators cannot worthily praise thy struggles, O glorious victor, as by the invincible power of God, though young in years thou didst conquer the ancient, primordial enemy and didst put to shame the delusion of idols.But we, filled with wonder, cry to thee: Rejoice, joyful sight of angels!Rejoice, reverent wonder of men!Rejoice, thou who didst shed thy blood for Christ, and in death didst shed milk!Rejoice, thou who didst give up thy body to a martyr’s death for His sake!Rejoice, model of confession!Rejoice, valiant warrior of the King of kings!Rejoice, thou who didst conquer the ruler of darkness!Rejoice, thou who by thy victory didst gladden Heaven and earth!Rejoice, blessed inhabitant of the world above!Rejoice, wise pilgrim of the world below!Rejoice, tree adorned with the fruits of the gifts of Grace!Rejoice, thou who carriest palms of victory!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon! 

Kontakion 10

 Filled with compassion, as a true imitator of the Lord, the Giver of mercy, O venerable martyr, thou wast renamed by Him Panteleimon (that is, all-merciful), for thou pourest mercy on all who resort to thee; pour it also abundantly on us who cry to God concerning thee:Alleluia! 

Ekos 10

 Finding thee a strong wall impregnable to all kinds of torture, the torturer tried to crush thy strength by the teeth of wild beast and the spikes of the torture-wheel, but all to no effect.For the power of Christ subdued the fierceness of the beasts and the frightful wheel, on which thy body was turned, immediately broke to pieces.So to thee, invincible passion-bearer, we cry: Rejoice, precious chosen one of Christ!Rejoice, unblemished fragrance of God!Rejoice, firm diamond of the Church!Rejoice, unshakable tower reaching to Heaven!Rejoice, tamer of visible beasts!Rejoice, crusher of invisible dragons!Rejoice, thou who wast stained with thy blood shed for Christ, mixed with milk!Rejoice, thou who hast received unfading crowns!Rejoice, thou who causest joy to angels and men!Rejoice, thou who hast been glorified by God in Heaven and on earth!Rejoice, celestial one, who singest in choir with the martyrs!Rejoice, thou who art satisfied with the sweet vision of Christ!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon! 

Kontakion 11

 A funeral song we offer to thy sacred immolation for Christ, in which milk instead of blood flowed from thee, Great Martyr, and the olive tree under which thou wast beheaded was all covered with healing fruit.Wherefore we cry fervently to Christ Who wonderfully glorifieth those who glorify Him:Alleluia! 

Ekos 11

 A luminous ray wast thou, O divinely wise one, to those sitting in the darkness of polytheism, leading them to the Sun of righteousness, Christ God.Him do thou entreat that we who offer thee these glad praises may ever live in the light of His commandments: Rejoice, bright star, shining in the noetical firmament!Rejoice, ray of light shining for Christian people!Rejoice, thou who wast mystically illumined by the Sun, Christ!Rejoice, thou who in spirit roamest the earth!Rejoice, beautiful tabernacle of the Most Holy Spirit!Rejoice, honorable vessel that poureth out healing!Rejoice, treasury of purity!Rejoice, namesake of mercy!Rejoice, heir of the Heavenly Kingdom!Rejoice, partaker of eternal glory!Rejoice, patron of those in distress on the sea of life!Rejoice, unmercenary healer who helpest those who invoke thee with faith!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon! 

Kontakion 12

 Thou didst receive an abundance of Grace, thrice-blessed one, according to the greatness of thy love for Christ God, Who also showed thee to be a source of healing, for thou curest free of charge the sicknesses of soul and body of those who come to thee with faith and cry to God:Alleluia! 

Ekos 12

 Chanting of thy long-suffering labors for Christ, O glorious passion-bearer, we praise thy great patience, we bless thy martyr’s death, and we honor thy holy memory, O our defender and healer, and in praise we cry to thee:Rejoice, sweet-sounding trumpet of piety!Rejoice, sword which cuts down impiety!Rejoice, thou who wast scraped on a tree for Him Who stretched out His arms on the tree of the Cross!Rejoice, for, being burnt for Him, thou didst extinguish the furnace of delusion!Rejoice, thou who didst wound the enemies by thy wounds!Rejoice, thou who didst dry the streams of idolatrous blood by thy blood!Rejoice, thou who wast thrown into boiling lead for Christ!Rejoice, thou who wast sunk in the sea for His name!Rejoice, thou who didst remain unharmed therein by the providence of God!Rejoice, thou who didst pass through tortures of fire and water into the peace of Heaven!Rejoice, thou who didst pour unfailing streams of mercy on the faithful!Rejoice, gracious and compassionate physician who grantest healing through Grace!Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon! 

Kontakion 13

 O, our long-suffering and wonderful Passion-bearer of Christ and Healer Panteleimon!Graciously accept from us this small offering, heal us of our many and various ailments, and through thy intercession protect us from enemies visible and invisible and pray to the Lord that we may be delivered from eternal torment, that we may continually sing in His Kingdom:Alleluia! (thrice) And again Ekos 1 and Kontakion 1