Akathist of thanksgiving "Glory to God for everything!"
Kontakion 1
King of the ages, incorruptible, You hold at Your right hand all the paths of human life by the power of Your saving providence. We thank You for Your benefits, both visible and hidden, for the earthly life and for the heavenly joys of Your kingdom. Show us Your mercy from now on, as we sing: Glory to You, O God, forever!
Ikos 1
I came into the world a weak and helpless babe, but the guardian angel spread his bright wings, protecting the cradle of my childhood. Since then, Your love has shone over all my paths, wonderfully guiding me towards the light of eternity. With glory, have the bountiful gifts of Your Providence been revealed, from the first day until now. I thank You and cry out with all who know You:
Glory to You, the One who called me to life,
Glory to You, the One who showed me the beauty of the world,
Glory to You, the One who opened heaven and earth before me as an eternal book of wisdom,
Glory to Your eternity, which is revealed in the temporal world,
Glory to You, for Your mercies, both shown and hidden,
Glory to You, for every sigh of my trials,
Glory to You, for every step of life, for every moment of joy,
Glory to You, God, forever!
Kontakion 2
Lord, how good it is to be a guest of Your creation: the fragrant wind, the mountains that reach for the sky, the waters like boundless mirrors in which the gold of the rays and the gentle flow of the clouds are reflected, all nature whispers secretly, all is full of comfort, the birds and animals bear the seal of Your love. Blessed is the earth with its fleeting beauty that awakens the longing for the eternal home, where in imperishable beauty the song is heard: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
You brought me into this life as into a most holy paradise. I saw the sky like a deep blue chalice, in whose azure the birds sing, I listened to the peaceful rustle of the forest and the sweet-voiced murmur of the waters, I feasted on the fragrant and sweet fruits, as well as on the fragrant honey. How good it is with You on earth, and what a joy to be Your guest!
Glory to You for the feast of life,
Glory to You for the sweet fragrance of lilies and roses,
Glory to You for the delightful variety of fruits and seeds,
Glory to You for the jewel-like radiance of the morning dew,
Glory to You for the smile of awakening bathed in light,
Glory to You for the beauty of the creation of Your hands,
Glory to You for the life of this age, a harbinger of the heavenly one,
Glory to You, O God, forever!
Kontakion 3
By the power of the Holy Spirit, every flower spreads its fragrance: a gentle breeze of perfume, a delicate arrangement of colors, the beauty of the Great One in the humble. Praise and honor to the Creator of life, God, Who crowned the field with the gold of the ears and the azure of the cornflowers, and the soul with the joy of seeing the mysterious. Rejoice and sing to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
How wonderful You are in the spring festival, when all creation awakens to life and from thousands of directions joyfully cries out to You: You are the Source of life, you are the Conqueror of death! Comforted by the moonlight and the songs of the nightingales, the valleys and forests stand in wedding garments, the whole world is Your bride, she awaits the incorruptible Bridegroom. If You thus clothe the grass of the field, how will You change us in the age of resurrection that is to come, how will our bodies shine, and how will our souls shine?
Glory to You, to the One who brought forth from the darkness of the earth various colors and tastes and scents,
Glory to You, for the welcoming and comforting creation,
Glory to You, for surrounding us with thousands and thousands of creatures,
Glory to You, for the depth of Your wisdom, which has set its seal upon the entire world,
Glory to You, with reverence I kiss the traces of Your unseen footsteps,
Glory to You, to the One who has kindled before us the bright light of eternal life,
Glory to You, for the hope of an incorruptible, imperishable, perfect life,
Glory to You, O God, forever!
Kontakion 4
With what sweetness You satisfy those who think of You, what a Giver of life is Your Holy Word! More pleasant than oil and sweeter than the honeycomb is communion with You. The prayer offered to You comes to life and takes wing: with what an earthquake the soul is then filled and how great and full of meaning do life and all creation then appear! Where You are not - there is a desert. Where You are - there is the wealth of the soul, there the song flows, like a stream of living water: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
When the sunset falls over the earth, when the rest of the communal sleep is shared and at the fall of day silence settles, I see Your chamber under the image of the shining palaces and the cloud porches of twilight. Fire and purple, gold and azure speak prophesying about the unspeakable beauty of Your tents and with a voice of celebration cry out:
Glory to You, in the quiet hour of evening,
Glory to You, who have poured out great peace upon the world,
Glory to You, for the farewell ray of the setting sun,
Glory to You, for the rest of deep sleep,
Glory to You, for Your goodness that shows itself in the darkness, when the whole world seems far away,
Glory to You, for the humble prayers of the soul,
Glory to You, for the promised awakening to the joy of the eternal, unsettling day,
Glory to You, O God, forever!
Kontakion 5
The storms of life are not terrible for him in whose soul the torch of Your fire shines. Around - bad weather and darkness, terror and the roar of the storm; but in his soul there is peace and light: there is Christ! And the heart sings: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
I see Your sky shining with stars. Oh, how rich You are and how many lights You have! Through the rays of distant luminaries, eternity looks at me; I am so small and insignificant, but the Lord is with me and everywhere I am guarded by His loving right hand.
Glory to You, for Your unceasing care,
Glory to You, for the people whom Your providence has brought to my path,
Glory to You, for the love of relatives, for the devotion of friends,
Glory to You, for the gentleness of the animals that serve me,
Glory to You, for the bright moments of my life,
Glory to You, for the clear joys of the heart,
Glory to You, for the happiness of living, of toiling and of contemplating,
Glory to You, O God, forever!
Kontakion 6
How great and near You are in the terrible breath of the storm, how the omnipotence of Your hand is revealed in the winding of blinding lightning: wonderful is Your greatness. The voice of the Lord over the fields and in the rustling of the forests, the voice of the Lord in the procession of thunder and rain, the voice of the Lord over many waters. Praised be You in the roar of the mountains that spit fire. You shake the earth like a garment; You lift up the waves of the sea to the heavens. Praise to You, Who has humbled human pride, causing the cry of repentance to rise: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
As lightning illuminates the banqueting halls and all the torches seem pitiful after it, so you shone in my soul, without warning, at the time of my greatest joys; and after your lightning light, how pale, dark and frail these joys seemed... My soul yearns for you!
Glory to you, the limit of the highest human dreams,
Glory to you, for our unquenchable thirst for communion with God,
Glory to you, to the one who has kindled in us dissatisfaction with life on earth alone,
Glory to you, to the one who makes us children of light by clothing us with your most tender rays,
Glory to you, to the one who has crushed the power of the spirits of darkness and destined all evil to destruction,
Glory to you, for your revelations;
Glory to You, for the happiness of feeling You and living with You, Glory to You, God, forever!
Kontakion 7
In the bosom of the wonderful symphony that envelops us with its rich harmonies, Your call is heard. You reveal to us the porch of the kingdom that will be in the sweetness of the songs, in the wonderful chords of the sounds, in the high feeling in their voice, in the brilliance of the artist's work. Every true beauty carries our soul towards You, like a powerful call, making us raise the song with a festive voice: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
With the descent of Your Holy Spirit, You illuminate and bring to fruition the art of painters, the inspiration of poets, and the thinking of scholars. With the power of knowledge from above, they penetrate Your laws, illuminating for us the depth of Your wisdom as the Creator. Their works, even unwillingly, confess You: Oh, how great You are in their works, how great You are in the man You have made!
Glory to You, to Him who has shown Your power in the laws that govern creation,
Glory to You, that all creation is full of the laws that You have ordained for it,
Glory to You, for all that has been revealed to us through Your grace,
Glory to You, for what You have wisely hidden from us,
Glory to You, for the genius of the human mind,
Glory to You, for the power to do useful things,
Glory to You, for the fiery tongues of inspiration,
Glory to You, O God, forever!
Kontakion 8
How close You are to us in the day of illness! You Yourself visit the sick, You Yourself bend over the bed of the suffering. And his heart speaks to You. You illuminate the soul with peace in times of great suffering and abominations, You send unexpected help. You comfort, You lovingly visit and save, To You we raise hymns: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
When, as a child, I first called upon You with understanding, You fulfilled my prayer and overshadowed my soul with the peace of Your grace. Then I understood that You are good and happy are those who run to You. I began to call upon You more and more often, and now I cry out:
Glory to You, to You who fulfill my request for good things;
Glory to You, to You who watch over me unceasingly;
Glory to You, to You who heal infirmities and abominations with the healing passage of time;
Glory to You, to You who alone know why You allow us to be unjustly persecuted;
Glory to You, to You through Whom no loss is irreplaceable and You grant eternal life to all;
Glory to You, to You who make imperishable every high and good work;
Glory to You, Who promised us the longed-for reunion with our loved ones who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection;
Glory to You, O God, forever!
Kontakion 9
Why does all creation secretly smile on feast days? Why then does a wonderful relief flow into the heart, without resemblance to earthly ones, and the very air becomes an altar and a church bearing light? It is the breeze of Your grace, it is the radiance of Tabor, heaven and earth then sing praise: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
When You inspired me to serve my neighbor, illuminating my soul with humility, then one of Your countless rays fell upon my heart, and it became a bearer of light, iron in flame: I looked upon Your mysterious and unapproachable face
Glory to You, to the One who changed our life with deeds of kindness,
Glory to You, to the One who sealed with ineffable sweetness each of Your commandments,
Glory to You, to the One who dwells invisibly where the sweet fragrance of mercy wafts,
Glory to You, to the One who sent us failures and abominations, so that we might turn our eyes to the suffering of others,
Glory to You, to the One who placed great reward in the good deed itself,
Glory to You, to the One who receives the impetus to the heights,
Glory to You, to the One who envelops with love above all,
Glory to You, O God, forever!
Kontakion 10
A thing that has crumbled into dust cannot rise again, but You revive those whose conscience has faded and restore to their former beauty the souls that had lost it without hope. With You nothing is impossible to fix. You are all love. You are the One who creates all things, and the One who gives life again. We praise You by singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
My God, You who know the fall of the arrogant angel of dawn, save me with Your grace, do not let me stray from You and do not let me doubt You. Give my hearing quickness, so that I may hear Your mysterious voice in all moments of my life and cry out to You, the Eternal One:
Glory to You, for the wonderful coincidences of events that Your providence has arranged,
Glory to You, for the premonitions given by grace,
Glory to You, for the teachings of the mysterious voice,
Glory to You, for the discoveries in dreams and waking hours of Your saints,
Glory to You, to Him who frustrates useless plans,
Glory to You, to Him who awakens us through sufferings from the intoxication of passions,
Glory to You, to Him who humbles the pride of the heart for salvation,
Glory to You, O God, forever!
Kontakion 11
Through the ice chain of the ages, I feel the hot breath of Your Divinity and Your love for men. You are near, the time of the ages is drawing near. I see Your Cross: You endured it for me; in the dust my spirit lies before the Cross: here is the feast of love and salvation, here praise never ceases: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Blessed is he who shall dine in Thy kingdom, but Thou hast yet shared this happiness with me on earth. How many times hast Thou not extended to me with Thy divine right hand Thy Body and Blood, and I, a great sinner, received the known Mysteries and felt Thy unspeakable and supernatural love?
Glory to Thee, for the power of Thy unfathomable and life-giving grace,
Glory to Thee, to Thee, who hast raised Thy Church as a refuge for the weary world,
Glory to Thee, to Thee, who hast born us a second time through the life-giving waters of Baptism.
Glory to You, for You restore to those who repent the righteousness of lilies,
Glory to You, inexhaustible depth of forgiveness,
Glory to You, for the cup of life and for the bread of eternal joy,
Glory to You, for You who raised us to heaven,
Glory to You, O God, forever!
Kontakion 12
Many times I have watched Your glory reflected on the faces of the departed. How they shone with unearthly beauty and joy, how immaterial their features seemed: truly it was the feast of happiness and rest finally attained; their silence cried out to You. In the hour of the end, illuminate also my soul, which cries: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
What is the meaning of my praises before You! I have not heard the singing of the cherubim - this is the portion of high souls - but I know how nature glorifies You. I have watched in winter how, under the silence of the moon, the whole earth brings You quiet prayer, clothed in a white garment, shining with the jewels of snow. I have seen how the rising sun rejoices in You, and I have heard the choirs of birds praising You. I have heard how the forests rustle, the winds sing, and the waters whisper in mystery about You, I have heard how the hosts of luminaries preach You through the movement that You have wisely ordered in the endless expanses. What is my praise! Nature is obedient, and I am not. As long as I live and see Your love, I long to thank You, to pray to You, and to cry out:
Glory to You, to the One who showed us the light,
Glory to You, to the One who loved us with a deep, immeasurable and divine love,
Glory to You, to the One who overshadows us with light, with the hosts of Your saints and angels,
Glory to You, Most Holy Father, Who called us to attain Your kingdom,
Glory to You, Holy Spirit, Sun of Life, Creator of the age to come,
Glory to You, Son of God, beginning of our salvation,
Glory to You, for all things, Divine and Most Good Trinity,
Glory to You, O God, forever!
Kontakion 13
O Most Good and Life-Giving Trinity, receive thanksgiving for all Your mercies and show us worthy of Your benefits, that, multiplying the talents entrusted to us, we may enter into the eternal joy of our Lord, singing songs of victory: Alleluia!
(this kondak is said three times)
Ikos 1
I came into the world a weak and helpless babe, but the guardian angel spread his bright wings, protecting the cradle of my childhood. Since then, Your love has shone over all my paths, wonderfully guiding me towards the light of eternity. With glory, have the bountiful gifts of Your Providence been revealed, from the first day until now. I thank You and cry out with all who know You:
Glory to You, the One who called me to life,
Glory to You, the One who showed me the beauty of the world,
Glory to You, the One who opened heaven and earth before me as an eternal book of wisdom,
Glory to Your eternity, which is revealed in the temporal world,
Glory to You, for Your mercies, both shown and hidden,
Glory to You, for every sigh of my trials,
Glory to You, for every step of life, for every moment of joy,
Glory to You, God, forever!
Kontakion 1
King of the ages, incorruptible, You hold at Your right hand all the paths of human life by the power of Your saving providence. We thank You for Your benefits, both visible and hidden, for the earthly life and for the heavenly joys of Your kingdom. Show us Your mercy from now on, as we sing: Glory to You, O God, forever!
