Akathist Hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The entire service is either sung or chanted, preferably sung, to traditional melodies. If the melodies are unknown, a chanting 'recto tono' will suffice, though much of the grandeur will be lost. This is an Eastern Catholic Devotion to Mary [Leader]: Blessed is our God, always, now and forevermore. Amen. O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, You are everywhere presetn and fit all things. Treasury of blessings, and giver of life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Gracious one! Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal one, have mercy on us. (Three times) O most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! O Lord, cleanse us of our sins! O Master, forgive our transgressions! O holy one, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake! Lord, have mercy. (Three times) Glory be to the father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit , now and ever, and forever, Amen. Our father who art in heaven , hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and glory, Father+, son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen Let Us Pray To The Lord. [Response]: Lord, have mercy! PREAMBLE As soon as the angel had received his command, he hastened to Joseph's house and said to the ever-virgin: "Behold, heaven was brought down to earth when the Word Himself was fully contained in you! Now that I see Him in your womb, taking a servant's form, I cry out to you in wonder: Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!" FIRST CHANT An Archangel was sent from heaven to greet the Mother of God, and as he saw you assuming a body at the sound of his bodiless voice, O Lord, he stood rapt in amazement and cried out to her in these words: Hail, O you, through whom Joy will shine forth! Hail, O you, through whom the curse will disappear! Hail, O Restoration of the Fallen Adam! Hail, O Redemption of the Tears of Eve! Hail, O Peak above the reach of human thought! Hail, O Depth even beyond the sight of angels! Hail, O you who have become a Kingly Throne! Hail, O you who carry Him Who Carries All! Hail, O Star who manifest the Sun! Hail, O Womb of the Divine Incarnation! Hail, O you through whom creation is renewed! Hail, O you through whom the Creator becomes a Babe! Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure! [RESPONSE]: Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure! KONTAKION Knowing that she was a virgin, the blessed one courageously answered the angel: "Your surprising words seem hard for my mind to accept: how can you speak of a birth that is to come from a conception without seed? And why do you cry, Alleluia?" [RESPONSE]: Alleluia! SECOND CHANT Trying to grasp the meaning of this mystery, the Virgin asked the holy messenger: "How is it possible tha a son be born from a virginal womb? Tell me." And he answered her with awe, crying out in these words: Hail, O hidden Sense of the Ineffable Plan! Hail, O Belief in Silence That Must Be! Hail, O Forecast of the Marvels of Christ! Hail, O Fountainhead of truths concerning Him! Hail, Celestial Ladder, by whom God came down! Hail, O Bridge leading earthly ones to heaven! Hail, O Wonder, ever-thrilling to the angels! Hail, O Wound, ever-hurting to the demons! Hail, O you who gave birth to Light ineffably! Hail, O you who told no one how it was done! Hail, O you who surpass the wisdom of the wise! Hail, O you who enlighten faithful minds! Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure! [RESPONSE]: Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure! KONTAKION When the power of the Most High overshadowed the one who had never known the nuptial bed, her fruitful womb conceived, and she became for all a delicious field: for those who wished to reap salvation by singing "ALLELUIA!" [RESPONSE]: Alleluia! THIRD CHANT Pregnant with God, the Virgin hastened to Elizabeth, her unborn child rejoiced, immediately knowing her embrace. Bouncing and singing, he cried out to the Mother of God: Hail, O Tendril whose Bud shall not wilt! Hail, O Soil whose Fruit shall not perish! Hail, O Tender of mankind's loving Tender! Hail, O Gardener of the Gardener of Life! Hail, O Earth who yielded abundant mercies! Hail, O Table full-laden with appeasement! Hail, for you have greened anew the pastures of delight! Hail, for you have prepared a haven for the souls! Hail, acceptable Incense of Prayer! Hail, Expiation of the whole universe! Hail, O you Favor of God to mortal men! Hail, O you Trust of mortals before God! Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure! [RESPONSE]: Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure! KONTAKION Filled with a storm of contradictory thoughts, the wise Joseph was greatly disturbed: until then, he had seen you a virgin, and now he suspected you of secret guilt, all-b