Special thanks to His Eminence Metropolitan SERAPHIM of Germany, Northern and Central Europe Orthodox Christian Archdiocese for his blessing given to the authors to write this Akathist Hymn and for his contribution to the final draft
”May we have true faith, contrition, humility, repentance, humbleness, mercifulness, kindness, and finally, love, which encompasses all” (Blessed Gerontios)
Copyright © “Cuviosul Gherontie de la Tismana” Foundation (Romanian language version) Copyright © Tismana Holy Monastery (English language version)
Troparion
The words of men cannot unfold your many toils, for you clothed your deeds in the garment of folly for Christ, declaring faith with holy passions while serving others with great love. Blessed Gerontios, pray our souls be saved!
Kontakion 1
The gift of the Holy Spirit, working through you from childhood, did enlighten you with godly wisdom and did strengthen your steps towards declaring God’s deeds in the world, with your entire being, for which we sing to you:
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils
Ikos 1
The piety adorning your soul, you learned it firstly from your mother Helen, and wondrously polished it throughout your life, wishing, above all, for God. Angels, marveled upon seeing your ascetic struggles, together with whom, we sing:
Rejoice, for God was your strength and support;
Rejoice, for you resembled angels, in your bodily life;
Rejoice, for you followed the path of commandments;
Rejoice, for you enlightened labor through prayer;
Rejoice, for you nourished yourself with the sweetness of struggles;
Rejoice, for you loved the monastic living;
Rejoice, for your heart exulted in the Lord;
Rejoice, for you robed in love, the evils of men;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 2
The physical and spiritual wounds received from those who did not understand that you cannot live without God, you anointed with the wine and oil of Holy joy, sealing them with the burning iron of forbearance in sufferings. Come also to our aid, so that we can find the joy of Cross, so that we can reach The Resurrection and sing in faith: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Your soul was prepared by ascetic feats, making it shine like a brilliant diamond with your good deeds of unwavering faith, whilst your stay at Ciolanu Monastery and at Buzau Diocese, under the spiritual care of your beloved relative, Igumen Modestus. For the hope with which you lived a monastic life we sing with love:
Rejoice, you who did forsake all to follow Christ;
Rejoice, for your soul was nourished by Holy Services;
Rejoice, for you proclaimed the truth of the Lord;
Rejoice, for you died for the world by committing yourself to the monastic life.
Rejoice, for you fulfilled the monastic vows throughout your entire life;
Rejoice, for you ascended the path of righteousness through many toils;
Rejoice, for you received the gift of discerning of the spirits;
Rejoice, for you completely defeated the works of the evil one, who showed itself to you;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 3
The ascetic struggles you set for yourself strengthened your soul for the cross you would bear, fighting against those who wished monasticism be wiped out from our land. To your aid you held the words of Saint Paul the Apostle: “I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me”, to Whom we sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
You endured all torments for Christ the Lord, your life treasure, without Whom you said life is not worth living. For this reason the Fountain of Life kept you alive and sent His Mother to bestow upon you the cross of fool for Christ, and we cry to you:
Rejoice, for you were a pillar of faith at Ciolanu Monastery;
Rejoice, for you did not renounce Christ in sufferings;
Rejoice, for you did slay hopelessness with the sword of prayer;
Rejoice, for you suffered countless and unthought of labors;
Rejoice, for you did stand with faith before the rulers of this world;
Rejoice, for you received, by revelation, the toil of being a fool for Christ;
Rejoice, for the The Most Holy Thoetokos, Herself, instructed you to walk this path;
Rejoice, for you were taken by many as mentally ill;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 4
Forced admissions into hospitals of worldly madness, Blessed, did not bring you down, for the power of the Holy Trinity kept your mind sound for you ceaselessly sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
The Gospel was your guide and strength, from your youth, for you proclaimed with godly love, to all, the Word of Life, One which could not be obstructed by any hindrance. Astonished by your holy boldness, we sing to you:
Rejoice, for you were a fearless witness of faith;
Rejoice, for you did not cease in prayer and full prostrations to the ground;
Rejoice, for you urged the leading pagans of the land to believe in God;
Rejoice, for you suffered greatly for your courage;
Rejoice, for you were a light also for those in psychiatric wards;
Rejoice, for you were saved from places of torment by the Most Holy Theotokos;
Rejoice, for you did wear the signs of beatings on your body until death;
Rejoice, for you did not judge your persecutors;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 5
Abundance of testimonies we have of your deeds among laymen and in monasteries, which are of aid to many “from bishop to shepherd”, young and elderly, for you did go where the Holy Spirit sent you, whilst being moved by Him, you sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Blessed Gerontios, you were as a hen gathering her chicks under her protecting wings to be warmed by God’s healing grace, which performed through the “treatments” of your foolishness for Christ. For the innumerable miracles received through your toils, we sing to you:
Rejoice, for you healed countless and unaware of illnesses;
Rejoice, for you saved many from the claws of death;
Rejoice for you healed the terrible cancer illness;
Rejoice, for you took upon yourself infirmities and grave diseases;
Rejoice, for many received children by your intercession;
Rejoice, for in your presence, the spirit of despair vanished;
Rejoice, for you ended harmful treatments; Rejoice, for you sent the sick to skilled and faithful doctors;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 6
Joyous was your life, for you ceaselessly gave thanks to the Most Holy Trinity, to Whom you entrusted in sufferings and illnesses, asking for health, so that you would not give up your ascetic life and not be deprived of the power of the Services, singing in church to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
The unification of Christians around the Church, alongside family union, were, for you, signs of the presence of the Holy Spirit, whilst division you regarded as the work of the enemy. Once again, we ask of you, help us all live in the love of the Lord, singing to you:
Rejoice, for all your life you have been in obedience to the Church.
Rejoice for you did carry, in your heart, all your brethren, from Adam and Eve;
Rejoice, for you suffered from the wounds of all humankind;
Rejoice for you prayed for the return of all those fallen from the orthodox faith;
Rejoice for you did reconcile quarrelsome brethren;
Rejoice for you did help the youth to start families, according to God’s will;
Rejoice for you advised spouses to carry each other’s cross;
Rejoice for you encouraged many to return to their homeland and their families;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 7
You ceaselessly prayed for all men to acquire spiritual power “for true faith, contrition, humility, repentance, humbleness, mercifulness, kindness, and finally, love, which encompasses all”, and you did everything in the name of the Holy Trinity to Whom you sang with joy: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
By your day and night battles with evil spirits, you acquired the humble thought and saw those around as blessed and kind, whilst regarding yourself as the greatest of sinners. In response to the appreciation, you showed them and to your humility, the disciples called you “Blessed”, and now we all sing to you with love:
Rejoice, for you were not swayed by appearances;
Rejoice for you did not seek justification;
Rejoice, for humiliation brought you joy;
Rejoice, for you always wanted the last place;
Rejoice, for you took upon yourself the reproach of others;
Rejoice, for you veiled your miracles with foolishness for Christ;
Rejoice for you were, many times, seen in a state of grace;
Rejoice, for God did not let your light be hidden;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 8
You were thankful, Blessed, for what you received, and prayed for all those who showed mercy, proving that giving thanks enlarges our hearts to singing to Him Who gives us all of His from His own: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Your countless good deeds were of use to those whom you met on the path of life, for with the eyes of your soul, you saw their material poverty and what’s more, their spiritual poverty. It is for this that we look into our souls and seeing our attachment to worldly things, we ask of you to have mercy upon us who sing:
Rejoice, for you did not put off doing good;
Rejoice for you were merciful with the poor;
Rejoice for you did not keep anything for yourself;
Rejoice for you were frequently found wearing only a shirt;
Rejoice for you were shielded from sickness and cold by grace;
Rejoice for you offered crosses for protection and strengthening of faith;
Rejoice for your paintings, mirroring the Heavens, you offered as gifts;
Rejoice, for mercifulness opened for you the gates of Heaven;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 9
Your body, Blessed, was obedient to your soul, for you subjected it to ascetic fasting and spiritual struggles: you guided your steps in the path of the Lord and with your arms, embraced the heaven for hours, for all of humanity, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
Your prayers were received, for by rejecting your own conviction, you were under continuous obedience and communion with the Lord, Whom you asked to bring all men on the path of eternal life. Intercede also now, for us, who sing to you:
Rejoice, for you praised the Lord day and night;
Rejoice, for you lived the prayers of the Church;
Rejoice, for during prayer you were raised from the ground;
Rejoice, for your prayer opened Heaven;
Rejoice, for your knees bore the signs of your labors;
Rejoice, for you were quick to pray for your neighbour;
Rejoice, for your prayers were followed by miracles;
Rejoice, for even now, you intercede that our prayers are heard;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 10
You triumphed over the plots of the enemy, having as weapon the Holy Cross, crossing your body and wearing it on sight, for you felt its’ healing power, by virtue of the Holiness of the One Crucified on it, to Whom you sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
The grace you received from God helped you work, with love, the barren soil of people’s souls, using the tools of foolishness for Christ, with which you helped many to uproot their passions. For these great acts of kindness we sing to you:
Rejoice, for with clarity you saw in the souls of men;
Rejoice, for you also were aware of evil thoughts;
Rejoice, for you took sins upon yourself, to amend them;
Rejoice, for you ended smoking and fornication sins;
Rejoice, for you humbled the proud;
Rejoice, for you helped the fallen rise;
Rejoice, for you encouraged spiritual measure;
Rejoice, for with your singing, you bring peace to souls;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 11
“Oxbow, oxbow, oxbow” Confessor Saint Arsenius of Prislop said to you, whom you venerated, as you did with the other great Romanian father confessors. Truly, your entire life, you remained strong in faith as the oxbow, letting us not abandon the Yoke of Christ, to Whom we sing together with you: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Jesus Christ, our Lord, bestowed upon you gifts, as those received by angels, and carried you by the quickness of His Spirit, to those who called your name in need, revealing also for you matters of the past, present and future, for the strengthening and straightening of many. For this we sing to you in awe:
Rejoice for you brought healing to the sick, whom you visited being caught up;
Rejoice, for you showed yourself to those in foreign lands, comforting them;
Rejoice, for you frequently helped people discover God’s will;
Rejoice, for you helped many escape deadly perils;
Rejoice, for you would see the souls, of those who led a holy life, ascend to Heaven;
Rejoice, for you predicted the pandemic which came upon the world;
Rejoice, for you showed that everything is in His power;
Rejoice, for the Lord made known to you your passing;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 12
Our souls were saddened upon hearing of your passing, which happened in the Holy Land, just as you hoped throughout your entire life and as you prophesied. Withal, beholding your countenance, we are convinced of your joy upon seeing the Heavens opened to receive you, joy overflowing from your heart, which ceased to beat in this world. By bringing your body for burial, in Romania, at Tismana Monastery, the Lord’s word was fulfilled: “your sorrow shall be turned into joy”, meanwhile, for this
great gift offered to the whole world and to the Romanian land, delivered through yourself, we sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Your body was truly Church of the Holy Spirit, and upon seeing the holiness in which God clothed it, shown by your open eyes watching us, and also by the fragrant softness of your body, which remained unchanged after eight days, even the powers of darkness were afraid and cried out, in the hearing of all, through those possessed by unclean spirits, who wanted to approach your coffin, and with trembling we sing to you:
Rejoice for you awaited the Lord in prayer;
Rejoice, for you were returned to your homeland with ease;
Rejoice, for the rain had stopped for your burial;
Rejoice, for the urging to the work of love is the testament on your cross;
Rejoice, for you eternally rest in the glory of Fool-for-Christ saints;
Rejoice, mediator for those who honour your remembrance;
Rejoice, for you are quick to help in all struggles;
Rejoice, for many Christians make known the miracles you performed;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils!
Kontakion 13 (Repeat three times)
Oh, Blessed Gerontios, Fool-for-Christ, you whom, with burning tears, received to suffer and to bring prayers for the whole world, in kneeling, fasting and all-night vigils, and above all, in battles
with the enemy, receive also our prayer and intercede for us so that we too come to live in God’s love, singing to Him, with you, for ever and ever: Alleluia!
Ikos 1
The piety adorning your soul, you learned it firstly from your mother Helen, and wondrously polished it throughout your life, wishing, above all, for God. Angels, marveled upon seeing your ascetic struggles, together with whom, we sing:
Rejoice, for God was your strength and support;
Rejoice, for you resembled angels, in your bodily life;
Rejoice, for you followed the path of commandments;
Rejoice, for you enlightened labor through prayer;
Rejoice, for you nourished yourself with the sweetness of struggles;
Rejoice, for you loved the monastic living;
Rejoice, for your heart exulted in the Lord;
Rejoice, for you robed in love, the evils of men;
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils
Kontakion 1
The gift of the Holy Spirit, working through you from childhood, did enlighten you with godly wisdom and did strengthen your steps towards declaring God’s deeds in the world, with your entire being, for which we sing to you:
Rejoice, Blessed Gerontios, laborer of many toils
Prayer
Our brother and blessed and beloving father Gerontios, hear our prayer and intercede for us before the Most Holy Trinity, so we can trump down the struggle brought upon us; seek what is most precious, to wit, the soul, turn away from sins, love with holy love all people, walk on the path of righteousness, keep the true faith, humble and repent for our sins, seek the Church, toil for attaining Heaven, acquire the patience of the Righteous Job and of the saints, love the land and place of our birth, just as you loved the land of Fagaras, from which you were brought forth.
Be with us now, just as throughout your life you quickly helped the sick, the poor, the hopeless, the lonely, as well as those estranged from the right faith. Help us believe that all that comes upon us, is with the knowledge of our Lord; and when in tribulations, help us give thanks using your own words: “Lord, forbid come worse!“. Entreat this prayer be received, so that the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified by us and through us. Amen.
