This Akathist honours our Holy and Venerable Father Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery (16 September), a priest, confessor, spiritual father and iconographer formed by the Jesus Prayer.
He celebrated the Divine Mysteries reverently, painted holy icons, guided spiritual children and cared for the afflicted. He remained steadfast during persecution and endured imprisonment. The hymn praises him as a skilful iconographer of both sacred images and souls. May his example lead us deeper into life in Christ, and may his holy intercessions strengthen us in every spiritual struggle.
Kontakion 1
Come, all the faithful, let us praise the God-enlightened spiritual father of Bucharest, who in times of persecution confessed Christ, guided his disciples with the wisdom of grace, and adorned the holy churches with wondrous icons; and let us cry to him from our hearts:
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Ikos 1
Your virtuous life was a light which could not be put under a bushel, and for your humility you received countless gifts from God; but above all, your fervent prayer and your love drew many to you. Therefore we come to you, that you may guide us in the hidden work of prayer and repentance, as we chant to you:
Rejoice, fruitful shoot of Romanian Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, seeker of divine beauty;
Rejoice, you who were given a name of wisdom;
Rejoice, you who were adorned with many virtues;
Rejoice, hidden hesychast in the midst of the city;
Rejoice, reprover of sin and injustice;
Rejoice, fervent celebrant before God Most High;
Rejoice, you who adorned churches with choice icons;
Rejoice, you who throughout your life preserved the right Faith;
Rejoice, you who suffered imprisonment for Christ;
Rejoice, most splendid praise of the monastic life;
Rejoice, good steward of your monastery;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 2
With humble hearts we offer glory to God, Who in His mercy and providential care for us reveals spiritual men filled with apostolic zeal, such as His chosen one, the Venerable Sofian. Through him He has shown us that even in these present times grace is acquired through the good struggle and sanctifies those who endure patiently. Therefore we chant to the Most Holy Trinity: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
From childhood the Lord drew your heart towards the things of heaven, O blessed Father; and being first obedient to your bodily parents, you received their blessing to follow Christ and to take on yourself the good yoke of the angelic life. Journeying diligently upon this path and enduring many labours and afflictions for His sake, you attained the haven of perfection and became a dwelling-place of the Most Holy Trinity. Therefore hear from us this hymn:
Rejoice, lily of spiritual fragrance sprung from your native soil;
Rejoice, diligent bee who gathered the nectar of good deeds;
Rejoice, humble man of prayer and lover of chastity;
Rejoice, example to monks in obedience and purity;
Rejoice, hidden practitioner of the Jesus Prayer;
Rejoice, tireless wayfarer towards the things above;
Rejoice, you who in prayer brought the mind down into the heart;
Rejoice, you who guarded yourself from false teachers;
Rejoice, you who always pondered the hour of death and judgement;
Rejoice, chosen labourer in watchfulness and simplicity;
Rejoice, you who in humility were a tireless follower of Christ;
Rejoice, herald of the gifts of the Mother of God;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 3
Coming from much-afflicted Bessarabia, you were a living example to those who studied with you at the seminary of Cernica Monastery, and for your wisdom were called an “old child”; for as you increased in knowledge of the sacred books, so you multiplied your zeal for spiritual things, chanting to God with an angelic voice: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Being diligent in study, you raised your mind to spiritual understanding, yet humbled yourself all the more, O Father. After eleven years of obedience in the communities of Rughi, Dobrușa and Bălți, you received the angelic habit, living in ascetic struggle and advancing in the practice of the virtues which adorned your countenance. Therefore we chant to you:
Rejoice, you who from childhood were shown to be a vessel of grace;
Rejoice, you who from tender years endured many labours;
Rejoice, you who at Rughi Monastery learned the art of sacred chant;
Rejoice, you who at Dobrușa discovered the mystery of painting icons;
Rejoice, celebrant of the Church with an angelic voice;
Rejoice, son by grace of the heavenly Father;
Rejoice, wise mouth ministering to the Word;
Rejoice, melodious harp of the gifts of the Spirit;
Rejoice, follower through your ascetic struggle of the venerable fathers of Cernica;
Rejoice, you who skilfully adorned the House of God;
Rejoice, zealot for true spiritual worship;
Rejoice, you who acquired divine humility;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 4
You said, O Father, that humility and love are the fruits of life in Christ, and day by day you laboured to acquire and increase them. Possessing strong faith, unshaken hope and fervent love, you endured every trial of life, were shown victorious over the spirits of darkness, and became like the great Apostle Paul, who said, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”; and to Him you chanted: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
At the Monastery of the Holy Hierarch Anthimos the Iberian in Bucharest, you were deemed worthy of the grace of the priesthood and celebrated with great reverence the Divine Mysteries of Christ. Most especially at the Divine Liturgy was your zeal for heavenly things made manifest, for you were wholly filled with fiery prayer. Therefore, marvelling, we cry to you:
Rejoice, chosen vessel of the consubstantial Trinity;
Rejoice, steadfast intercessor for us before the throne of God;
Rejoice, worshipper of the Father in spirit and in truth;
Rejoice, humble minister of the Mysteries of the Church;
Rejoice, you whose face, like that of Moses, shone with grace;
Rejoice, fellow intercessor with Saint Anthimos at the heavenly altar;
Rejoice, fire of prayer consuming the passions;
Rejoice, you who make spiritual the hearts of the faithful;
Rejoice, you who pray in the Spirit with the Three Holy Hierarchs;
Rejoice, trusted counsellor of the Patriarchal Fathers;
Rejoice, Burning Bush shining in Antim Monastery;
Rejoice, spiritual shield of the city of Bucharest;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 5
In the time of persecution unleashed by the enemies of God, you were shown to be an unshaken pillar of the Faith, and confessed the crucified and risen Christ as true God and Saviour of the whole world. You stood beside those who suffered, chanting with them from your whole heart: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Your longing for unceasing prayer called you beneath the protection of the Mother of God, before her icon of the “Burning Bush”, together with other spiritual fathers and brethren. There you met the blessed confessor John Kulygin, disciple and follower of the venerable hesychasts of Optina; from him you learned the prayer of the heart, which enlightened and strengthened you in the time of persecution. Therefore accept our praises:
Rejoice, you who united your heart with Christ;
Rejoice, you who were a confessor of the Gospel;
Rejoice, you who were shown to be a follower of the hesychast tradition;
Rejoice, for in prison the Jesus Prayer consoled you;
Rejoice together with all the martyrs of the communist prisons;
Rejoice, you who kept the lamps of the Romanian Faith unquenched;
Rejoice, devout man of prayer visited by the light of Tabor;
Rejoice, you who through humility and repentance drove away demons;
Rejoice, you who often pondered the Dread Judgement;
Rejoice, follower of Saint Paisius of Neamț through your pure life;
Rejoice, soul strengthened through patience in the holy virtues;
Rejoice, you who steadfastly preserved the ordinances of the Church;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 6
Seeing you strengthened in spiritual labour, the enemy, the devil, incited the godless rulers to imprison you. Thus you ascended the Golgotha of the Romanian people together with many other sufferers and confessors of the right Faith. Yet, enduring all things in the name of Christ, you prayed for our persecuted and sorely tried people, that God would not turn His mercy away from us who chant to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Being an enlightened shepherd of your rational flock, you never joined yourself to those possessed by the darkness of false belief, but chose to endure mockery and oppression for Christ. You vanquished your persecutors through humble love, and the Holy Spirit gave you understanding to answer your adversaries. Therefore we chant to you:
Rejoice, majesty of life in Christ hidden beneath simplicity;
Rejoice, confessor of Orthodoxy in meekness and righteousness;
Rejoice, you who through suffering sanctified your soul;
Rejoice, you whom even the prison guards called holy;
Rejoice, angelic countenance upon which grace was poured forth;
Rejoice, you who throughout your life were inspired by the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, grace-filled herald of the Gospel of the Saviour;
Rejoice, you who were ever protected by the Mother of God;
Rejoice together with all the confessors of the Romanian people;
Rejoice, strong support of those who suffer unjustly;
Rejoice, you who gave us an example of loving even our enemies;
Rejoice, you who taught us to suffer long for the Truth;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 7
The churches painted by you, O Venerable One, are adorned with the light of grace, so that when we, the faithful, pray in them with reverence and grateful hearts, we seem to be in heaven. Therefore we glorify God, Who bestowed such a gift upon you, chanting to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
God, the Creator of heaven and earth, gave you the gift of painting holy icons, which you continually increased through spiritual labour and humility, becoming the guide of many iconographers. Thus, O Venerable One, together with your disciples you painted many churches, not only in your homeland but also in other countries. Therefore we cry to you:
Rejoice, you who strove to depict the countenance of the Lord;
Rejoice, you who laboured to imprint Him also in your heart;
Rejoice, you who with inspiration painted at Saon and Negru Vodă;
Rejoice, you who adorned Dealu and Radu Vodă Monasteries with choice images of the saints;
Rejoice, you who painted the Bumbăcari Church in Bucharest;
Rejoice, you who completed the painting at Slatina in Bukovina;
Rejoice, you who in Syria and Lebanon amazed all with your wondrous paintings;
Rejoice, you who restored the paintings at Antim, Dărvari, Celic-Dere and other monasteries;
Rejoice, for in your icons the beauties of Paradise are reflected;
Rejoice, you who multiplied your talent according to the measure of the gift;
Rejoice, enlightened teacher who instructed your disciples well;
Rejoice, you who left us precious writings concerning the holy icons;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 8
Venerating the holy icons painted by you, O blessed one, our hearts are lifted up towards immaterial things and our minds are filled with true theology, yearning for the invisible God, Whom the angelic hosts in heaven praise unceasingly, chanting: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
You were shown to be an image of meekness, O Venerable Father, for you answered with peace and patience all who came to you for counsel and confession; and gazing upon your radiant countenance, they were filled with joy. Therefore we chant to you thus:
Rejoice, Father filled with spiritual love;
Rejoice, you who send down heavenly consolation to us;
Rejoice, for even from your youth you were victorious over sin;
Rejoice, skilful teacher of the struggle against the passions of the flesh;
Rejoice, you who in this world were endowed with heavenly wisdom;
Rejoice, you who encourage us when our souls begin to grow faint;
Rejoice, you who on earth were a chosen image of forbearance;
Rejoice, you who proclaimed the Word of God with steadfastness;
Rejoice, you who reckoned peace greater than justice;
Rejoice, you who taught us forgiveness and goodness;
Rejoice, you who appeared to some in visions;
Rejoice, you who were seen adorned in a garment of light;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 9
Throughout your life, O Venerable One, you offered the highest veneration to the Theotokos, painting her most pure countenance in many icons which adorn the holy churches. And the Mother of mercy supported and enlightened you, granting you humble wisdom which delivered you from every snare of visible and invisible enemies. Therefore you chanted to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
O Father, you were the fulfiller of the Testament of the Holy Hierarch Anthimos, the founder and protector of your monastery, caring for and showing mercy to the poor, widows and orphans who came to you seeking help, while earnestly exhorting the wealthy to works of mercy. Therefore we chant to you thus:
Rejoice, merciful father of the poor and afflicted;
Rejoice, defender of the oppressed;
Rejoice, follower of the counsels of the Holy Hierarch Anthimos;
Rejoice, you who teach us all to acquire a holy life;
Rejoice, for you were a helper of those in tribulation and suffering;
Rejoice, for in the poor you beheld the image of Christ;
Rejoice, swift comforter of the despairing;
Rejoice, true guide of the young;
Rejoice, protector of poor and helpless maidens;
Rejoice, fountain of healing and health for the sick;
Rejoice, you who strengthen those wavering in the Faith;
Rejoice, you who grant us an example and an exhortation to ascetic struggle;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 10
Having received the grace of the priesthood, you strove to become ever more skilful in the art of arts, which is the spiritual science of guiding souls, ever setting ascents within your heart. And having attained the measure of a perfect man, you wisely guided your spiritual children, that they too might advance unceasingly in the virtuous life. Therefore, with voices of joy, they chanted to God from their hearts: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
All the great Fathers who knew you marvelled at the spiritual wisdom which you had attained, O Venerable One, for the light of the saints from beyond this age was reflected in your countenance and in your life. Endowed with wisdom by the Father of lights, you guided with boundless love those who came to you; and beholding them, you gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given me.” Therefore we cry to you thus:
Rejoice, you whom the Venerable Cleopas called the Apostle of Bucharest;
Rejoice, you through whom your city received spiritual benefit;
Rejoice, you who attained the stature of the great venerable fathers;
Rejoice, wise spiritual father of the faithful;
Rejoice, for Christ reigned in your heart, sanctified by grace;
Rejoice, you who are never parted from your spiritual children;
Rejoice, you who were sanctified in truth and righteousness;
Rejoice, wise ascetic who overcame the assaults of sin;
Rejoice, for you sowed the seed of piety in the hearts of your disciples;
Rejoice, for through your writings our minds have been enlightened;
Rejoice, comforter of the sorrowful and grief-stricken;
Rejoice, swift healer of maladies of soul and body;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 11
With humility and honour you bore your cross, like all true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, enduring many afflictions and sufferings throughout your life. Therefore the heavenly Father called you to the eternal habitations on the very day of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. And now, rejoicing in the Holy Spirit, you glorify God with the angels, chanting to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
God worked wonders through you, O Father; and after your venerable departure to eternal rest and blessedness, you do not cease mystically to guide us, strengthening us amid temptations and trials, and granting to those who devoutly honour you consolation amid the troubles of life and healing from maladies of soul and body. Therefore we chant to you:
Rejoice, for the Mother of God visited you in your cell;
Rejoice, you who devoutly venerated the Queen of heaven;
Rejoice, you who for your humility received revelation of things to come;
Rejoice, you who visited some in visions for their encouragement;
Rejoice, you who on the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross passed into heaven;
Rejoice, for at your burial three radiant crowns appeared above you;
Rejoice, for then a sweet fragrance flowed forth from your venerable body;
Rejoice, devout venerator of the Cross of Christ;
Rejoice, you whose grave has been shown to be a holy place of prayer;
Rejoice, healer of infirmities and worker of wonders;
Rejoice, lover of silence with understanding;
Rejoice, guide to true repentance;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 12
As Moses of old guided the chosen people, so you, O Father, guided us through the wilderness of the vanities of this world, that we might reach the blessed land of freedom of spirit. And now you pray for our salvation, that we may be deemed worthy of God’s mercy and may chant with you for ever: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Honouring as is fitting your life, which from childhood you dedicated in purity to the Lord, and your steadfast spiritual ascent from strength to strength, we glorify God for your venerable end upon the day of a royal feast. Knowing that you now rejoice in beholding the face of Christ the Saviour and intercede for us, from our hearts we offer you these praises:
Rejoice, vanquisher of invisible enemies;
Rejoice, practitioner of the greatest virtues;
Rejoice, calmer of troubled hearts;
Rejoice, guide of those enslaved by sins;
Rejoice, you who guide monks well;
Rejoice, enlightened teacher of church iconographers;
Rejoice, unerring spiritual father in cruel times;
Rejoice, diligent adorner of holy temples;
Rejoice, choice and blessed fruit of Bessarabia;
Rejoice, holy icon of faith and piety;
Rejoice, you who now dwell in eternal blessedness;
Rejoice, fervent intercessor for our salvation;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Kontakion 13
O holy and venerable Father Sofian, who in your life greatly loved Christ and laboured for His Holy Church, pray to Him to raise us up from the passions, to deliver us from the temptations which surround us, and to preserve us from sufferings both present and eternal, that, being saved by His grace, we may ever chant to Him with joy: Alleluia!
This Kontakion is said three times.
Ikos 1
Your virtuous life was a light which could not be put under a bushel, and for your humility you received countless gifts from God; but above all, your fervent prayer and your love drew many to you. Therefore we come to you, that you may guide us in the hidden work of prayer and repentance, as we chant to you:
Rejoice, fruitful shoot of Romanian Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, seeker of divine beauty;
Rejoice, you who were given a name of wisdom;
Rejoice, you who were adorned with many virtues;
Rejoice, hidden hesychast in the midst of the city;
Rejoice, reprover of sin and injustice;
Rejoice, fervent celebrant before God Most High;
Rejoice, you who adorned churches with choice icons;
Rejoice, you who throughout your life preserved the right Faith;
Rejoice, you who suffered imprisonment for Christ;
Rejoice, most splendid praise of the monastic life;
Rejoice, good steward of your monastery;
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
Prayer
O holy and venerable Father Sofian, who in your earthly life greatly loved God, serving Him with zeal and devotion, and who through the multitude of your good works were an icon of the virtues to men; and who now, together with the angels and saints, rejoice in the vision of His light-filled countenance and praise Him unceasingly: to you we pray with tears and compunction.
Deliver us, through your holy prayers, from the many temptations and afflictions which come upon us from the devil, from men, and from the passions which war against us. You were an example to all through your patient endurance of trials; you adorned the churches of God with beautiful icons; you confessed the name of Christ in prison; and you were shown to be a friend of the poor and afflicted. Therefore you reign eternally with Christ in the Paradise of delight.
You who multiplied the talents entrusted to you by the heavenly Father, pray for us, that we may increase our zeal to perform good works for salvation. You who diligently fulfilled the Testament of the Holy Hierarch Anthimos, inspire in us also the desire to show mercy and to help those in need.
You who were a skilful spiritual father, raising many from the death of sin, grant us wisdom in the struggle against soul-destroying desires and the evil thoughts which assail us. You who were a teacher of refraining from judging our neighbour, grant that we may have humility and love towards our fellow men.
Enlighten our path, that we may not fall into the deceitful snares of this world, but, with your aid, may also partake of the ineffable beauty of the unwaning light and attain the eternal rest and joy of the Kingdom of heaven, where we may glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion 1
Come, all the faithful, let us praise the God-enlightened spiritual father of Bucharest, who in times of persecution confessed Christ, guided his disciples with the wisdom of grace, and adorned the holy churches with wondrous icons; and let us cry to him from our hearts:
Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sofian, skilful iconographer of souls!
