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Posted here is a 2025 google machine translation of the Russian from this original:
If you have a professional human translation, please share it with me. Include the link to this post> ~jh
Akathist to the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus
Кондак 1
Chosen from Christ God, who rose in the flesh from the dead, revealed to the world as an assurance of the general resurrection of all, wondrous youths who were in Ephesus, glorifying the Lord glorified in you, we lift up to you songs of praise, saying:
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Икос 1
The Creator of angels, knowing from the beginning the undoubted strength of your confession, made you in cruel circumstances to be heralds of the general resurrection of all, as angelic witnesses of the Gospel promise. Marveling at this providence of God for us, in reverence we cry out thus:
Rejoice, bright stars of the coming resurrection;
Rejoice, glorious rays of the risen Christ the Savior.
Rejoice, morning star of the great day of the Lord;
Rejoice, faithful children of Christ who have appeared from the houses of the unfaithful.
Rejoice, called into the wondrous light and freedom of the sons of the resurrection;
Rejoice, chosen by the Holy Spirit to be preachers of the words of eternal life.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, bright stars of the coming resurrection;
Rejoice, glorious rays of the risen Christ the Savior.
Rejoice, morning star of the great day of the Lord;
Rejoice, faithful children of Christ who have appeared from the houses of the unfaithful.
Rejoice, called into the wondrous light and freedom of the sons of the resurrection;
Rejoice, chosen by the Holy Spirit to be preachers of the words of eternal life.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 2
Seeing you, your parents, who had good sense, strove to arrange you into the rank of the military retinue of the Tsar; and you, having despised all the corruptible things of this world, ascended with your hearts to the heavenly King on high to Zion, so that as friends of God and servants of the mystery of the general resurrection you would be considered, singing to Christ: Alleluia.
Икос 2
Having been granted the mind of Christ with pure souls, wondrous youths, in the midst of a sinful life your peers were preserved by the grace of Christ, you appeared as brothers to one another through love and unity of spirit, and were completed into one. For this reason, receive from us these praises:
Rejoice, you who were reborn by one washing of rebirth;
Rejoice, you who were united as brothers by the love of Christ.
Rejoice, beloved children of the Church of God;
Rejoice, you who conversed with the angels of God.
Rejoice, you who nourished yourselves with the true bread of life more than natural foods;
Rejoice, you who by this food through the grace of the Holy Spirit blossomed from death to life.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, you who were reborn by one washing of rebirth;
Rejoice, you who were united as brothers by the love of Christ.
Rejoice, beloved children of the Church of God;
Rejoice, you who conversed with the angels of God.
Rejoice, you who nourished yourselves with the true bread of life more than natural foods;
Rejoice, you who by this food through the grace of the Holy Spirit blossomed from death to life.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 3
The power of the Most High, strengthening the mysteries of grace in suffering, make them worthy to be crowned with the crown of victorious confession before men and angels, and teach us to sing to God: Alleluia.
Икос 3
Having made an effort to come to the house of the Lord to pray every day, you in no way rejected this custom, O saints, because of the persecution of Decius; which the enemies of the Christian faith, having seen, hastened to inform the emperor about it, but the persecution of the tormentors was changed by the power of God to glorify you. Rejoicing therefore at such a providence of God for you, with tenderness we say to you thus:
Rejoice, you who have crushed the dark powers of the prince of this world by the grace of Christ;
Rejoice, you who have victoriously put to shame the malice and deceit of his servants.
Rejoice, you who were not afraid of their wiles and threats, nor were you disturbed;
Rejoice, you who have been visibly strengthened by the help of God.
Rejoice, for like Daniel of old in the lions' cave, you were saved from the midst of your tormentors;
Rejoice, you were brought out unharmed from their midst by the power of the Lord.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, you who have crushed the dark powers of the prince of this world by the grace of Christ;
Rejoice, you who have victoriously put to shame the malice and deceit of his servants.
Rejoice, you who were not afraid of their wiles and threats, nor were you disturbed;
Rejoice, you who have been visibly strengthened by the help of God.
Rejoice, for like Daniel of old in the lions' cave, you were saved from the midst of your tormentors;
Rejoice, you were brought out unharmed from their midst by the power of the Lord.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 4
Driven by a storm of rage, the wicked Emperor Decius in holy anger asks: Why were you not with us on the feast of the gods, who called the whole universe to worship? To whom Maximilian, alone of the seven, answers: We have one God and King, Who is in heaven, to Whom we offer at every hour the sacrifice of praise, confession and prayer, singing to Him: Alleluia.
Икос 4
The impious king, hearing how boldly you confess your faith, commanded that you be deprived of military honor, and thus your trials for Christ's sake began, quickly transformed by Christ into a wondrous repose. Therefore, even now, pray for strength in trials from God, singing:
Rejoice, you who have left earthly honor behind, to receive heavenly glory.
Rejoice, you who have been deprived of earthly honor for Christ's sake;
Rejoice, you who have been crowned with incorruptible crowns by Him.
Rejoice, you who have manifested His victory;
Rejoice, you who are the sevenfold radiance of His eternal glory.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, you who have left earthly honor behind, to receive heavenly glory.
Rejoice, you who have been deprived of earthly honor for Christ's sake;
Rejoice, you who have been crowned with incorruptible crowns by Him.
Rejoice, you who have manifested His victory;
Rejoice, you who are the sevenfold radiance of His eternal glory.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 5
Warmed by the warmth of divine love, by the grace of Christ you were protected from the tormentors, holy youths, Maximilian, Iamblichi, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodian and Antoninus, in your youth combining the beauty of the inner man with the beauty of the outer and, like angels, in the flame of your confession singing to God: Alleluia.
Икос 5
Seeing your very beautiful youth, the wicked Emperor Decius granted you a few days of relaxation from your bonds, hoping to tempt you to renounce Christ. But you, having gone home, hastened to distribute your silver and gold to the poor, preparing for your departure. For this reason we write you these praises:
Rejoice, you who moved the tormentor hardened in evil to some mercy;
Rejoice, you who by your childish meekness extinguished his insidious malice for a time.
Rejoice, you who by the beauty of the sons of light captivated the evil servants of sin;
Rejoice, you who by the grace of the Holy Spirit victoriously put their deceit to shame.
Rejoice, you who through the distribution of earthly riches have been enriched with heavenly treasures;
Rejoice, you who teach us to give to God in return, that we may find inexhaustible wealth in heaven.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, you who moved the tormentor hardened in evil to some mercy;
Rejoice, you who by your childish meekness extinguished his insidious malice for a time.
Rejoice, you who by the beauty of the sons of light captivated the evil servants of sin;
Rejoice, you who by the grace of the Holy Spirit victoriously put their deceit to shame.
Rejoice, you who through the distribution of earthly riches have been enriched with heavenly treasures;
Rejoice, you who teach us to give to God in return, that we may find inexhaustible wealth in heaven.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 6
The cave of Mount Ochlon proclaims your wondrous glory, holy youths, for its thickets and caves became fragrant with your prayers, from where, on the firmament of the Church, like stars of heavenly glory, miraculously shining from the darkness of the tombs, you appeared and taught us to sing to the Forerunner of the general resurrection, Christ God: Alleluia.
Икос 6
Desiring to shine the light of truth upon the people and dispel the darkness of error, Christ God deigned to send you down into the darkness of the grave, so that later, by your wondrous resurrection, He would assure the general resurrection. Bowing before such God's good will toward you, we send you these praises:
Rejoice, for you were providentially delivered from torments for the sake of the firmness of your confession;
Rejoice, you who also teach us to be strong brothers for the truth.
Rejoice, you who painlessly completed your struggle;
Rejoice, you who fell asleep in a wondrous sleep, so that by rising from this sleep of death the darkness of error might be dispelled.
Rejoice, you who were preserved by the Lord in the incorruptibility of your bodies;
Rejoice, you who arose before the general resurrection by the will of God.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, for you were providentially delivered from torments for the sake of the firmness of your confession;
Rejoice, you who also teach us to be strong brothers for the truth.
Rejoice, you who painlessly completed your struggle;
Rejoice, you who fell asleep in a wondrous sleep, so that by rising from this sleep of death the darkness of error might be dispelled.
Rejoice, you who were preserved by the Lord in the incorruptibility of your bodies;
Rejoice, you who arose before the general resurrection by the will of God.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 7
Although the godless king, out of necessity, attracted the saints to idolatry, again arranges an idol feast and orders them to be brought to him; but when his servants do not find them in the city of Ephesus, he tries to frighten their parents with execution, but is informed by them, as the saints were hidden in a cave, singing to God: Alleluia.
Икос 7
The world showed a new tendency of evil when parents revealed to the king the resting place of their children, and thus renounced their father's love for them. Therefore we say to the chosen ones of God:
Rejoice, rejected by the world and having received heaven;
Rejoice, fathers on earth, for the sake of the heavenly Father.
Rejoice, miraculously preserved in His mysterious sleep by the father's love;
Rejoice, having attained incorruptibility and having illuminated the world with the light of the resurrection.
Rejoice, showing us the way to this wondrous light;
Rejoice, sweetening to us the hour of death by the fulfillment of God's promise.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, rejected by the world and having received heaven;
Rejoice, fathers on earth, for the sake of the heavenly Father.
Rejoice, miraculously preserved in His mysterious sleep by the father's love;
Rejoice, having attained incorruptibility and having illuminated the world with the light of the resurrection.
Rejoice, showing us the way to this wondrous light;
Rejoice, sweetening to us the hour of death by the fulfillment of God's promise.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 8
A strange and glorious miracle of the omnipotence of God was shown upon you, holy children, for, at the command of Decius, you were enclosed in a cave with stones and sealed with a seal, and for one hundred and eighty years, even until the days of Emperor Theodosius, you remained there sleeping, but having risen as if alive, you put to shame the Sadducean wisdom, singing to Christ, who resurrected you: Alleluia.
Икос 8
The whole sevenfold choir of confessors, being shut up in a stone tomb, were in no way separated from eternal life, but after one hundred and eighty years, sleep was shaken from their eyes by the will of God, and thus the holy youths arose alive, assuring the whole world of the resurrection of all and teaching us to sing thus:
Rejoice, you who confirm the hope of the general resurrection by the promise of God,
Rejoice, you who for the sake of the cornerstone Christ God were fenced in with stones in the tomb.
Rejoice, for His sake, sealed in the tomb, sealed with a seal;
Rejoice, you who through the Lamb who took upon Himself the sin of the world were freed from the bonds of death.
Rejoice, for you were brought out of the grave as Lazarus after four days, as a guarantee of the general resurrection;
Rejoice, you who are like the number of the seven cherubim, standing before the throne of God's glory.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, you who confirm the hope of the general resurrection by the promise of God,
Rejoice, you who for the sake of the cornerstone Christ God were fenced in with stones in the tomb.
Rejoice, for His sake, sealed in the tomb, sealed with a seal;
Rejoice, you who through the Lamb who took upon Himself the sin of the world were freed from the bonds of death.
Rejoice, for you were brought out of the grave as Lazarus after four days, as a guarantee of the general resurrection;
Rejoice, you who are like the number of the seven cherubim, standing before the throne of God's glory.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 9
Every angelic nature rejoiced at your miraculous resurrection after many years and was horrified: how is it that you, not knowing the glorious miracle that happened to you, give each other the usual kiss and bring the morning song to the Lord, as if yesterday those who went to sleep, singing: Alleluia.
Икос 9
The language of rhetoric cannot express Your miracles, O Lord, for we know how the blessed youth Iamblichus, not realizing his many years of repose and going into the city for food, was amazed when Ephesus, long since enlightened by the faith of Christ, saw and glorified the Lord, and made us say such things:
Rejoice, laborers in the Lord's field, who abundantly shed tears of prayer;
Rejoice, who died in poverty and persecution, and arose in glory and riches.
Rejoice, who were persecuted in your days, and were rejoicing at the sight of the triumph of the faith of Christ after your resurrection;
Rejoice, who clearly beheld the victory of Christ over the world.
Rejoice, you who teach us to trust in this.
Rejoice, you who protect us from despondency;
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, laborers in the Lord's field, who abundantly shed tears of prayer;
Rejoice, who died in poverty and persecution, and arose in glory and riches.
Rejoice, who were persecuted in your days, and were rejoicing at the sight of the triumph of the faith of Christ after your resurrection;
Rejoice, who clearly beheld the victory of Christ over the world.
Rejoice, you who teach us to trust in this.
Rejoice, you who protect us from despondency;
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 10
Although God wants to save and strengthen people in faith, this is what He teaches about the many years of the death of Iamblichus through the ancient penny brought to him in the marketplace, the bishop of this city understood this and glorified God with the song: Alleluia.
Икос 10
You appeared as a wall and a stronghold of the faith, O saints, to those who came to your cave and found the ark with the charter, on which your names and the image of your death were written, so that everyone could sing:
Rejoice, seven chosen vessels of God;
Rejoice, together with the holy martyrs anointed with the oil of joy;
Rejoice, seven lamps before the throne of the Intercessor of God and men;
Rejoice, seven trumpets of the good news of the second coming of the Son of Man.
Rejoice, seven angels who endured to the end the good news of the glory of us;
Rejoice, like a golden seven-branched candlestick, adorning the Church of God.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, seven chosen vessels of God;
Rejoice, together with the holy martyrs anointed with the oil of joy;
Rejoice, seven lamps before the throne of the Intercessor of God and men;
Rejoice, seven trumpets of the good news of the second coming of the Son of Man.
Rejoice, seven angels who endured to the end the good news of the glory of us;
Rejoice, like a golden seven-branched candlestick, adorning the Church of God.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 11
Offering a song of thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity, the pious Emperor Theodosius rushed with zeal to Ephesus to see the holy youths, and remained there for seven days, until they, bowing their heads, gave up their spirits to the Lord, together with them sending up a song of victory to Christ God: Alleluia.
Икос 11
You have appeared as lamps dispersing the darkness of heresy, holy youths, shining with the light of your incorruptibility and confirming the truth of the life to come to the blessed after your resurrection by your repose, for you have put the Sadducean wisdom to shame and have calmed all the discords of the Church, assuring the general resurrection together with the ancient Lazarus. Therefore, giving thanks to the Lord for this, with tenderness we cry out to you:
Rejoice, you who illuminate our sorrowful life with good hope;
Rejoice, you who guide us amidst the waves of this life to the heavenly haven.
Rejoice, like the stars, you who guide us to the quiet of blessed rest in the palace of Christ;
Rejoice, you who bring good tidings of eternal bliss prepared for the sorrowful.
Rejoice, you who assure us that the passions of this present time are unworthy of the glory to come;
Rejoice, you who have been valiant messengers of the kingdom of heaven.
Rejoice, you who are passion-bearers of Christ, you who are wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, you who illuminate our sorrowful life with good hope;
Rejoice, you who guide us amidst the waves of this life to the heavenly haven.
Rejoice, like the stars, you who guide us to the quiet of blessed rest in the palace of Christ;
Rejoice, you who bring good tidings of eternal bliss prepared for the sorrowful.
Rejoice, you who assure us that the passions of this present time are unworthy of the glory to come;
Rejoice, you who have been valiant messengers of the kingdom of heaven.
Rejoice, you who are passion-bearers of Christ, you who are wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 12
Grace has been given to you by God, so that all who love and honor you may be guided into His wondrous light. Therefore, illuminate the sorrowful path of our life with the strong hope of resurrection, preserve us from the destruction of sin, and stand before us at the hour of death, so that by your intercession we sinners may attain the unfading light of God's majesty, where with the faces of the righteous we may sing of you to God: Alleluia.
Икос 12
Singing the wondrous praise of the power of God in you, holy children, we bless you, as our intercessors and prayer-books before the Lord, and with love, standing before your holy icon, we proclaim to you these praises:
Rejoice, praise and confirmation of the city of Staritsa in the Russian land;
Rejoice, you who have filled all the surrounding villages with the glory of your gracious help.
Rejoice, refuge and healing of sick infants;
Rejoice, true healing of the sorrows of their parents.
Rejoice, you are the cover and protection of all who love and honor you;
Rejoice, help and intercession of the whole Christian world.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, most wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, praise and confirmation of the city of Staritsa in the Russian land;
Rejoice, you who have filled all the surrounding villages with the glory of your gracious help.
Rejoice, refuge and healing of sick infants;
Rejoice, true healing of the sorrows of their parents.
Rejoice, you are the cover and protection of all who love and honor you;
Rejoice, help and intercession of the whole Christian world.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, most wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 13
O wondrous youths, who illuminate the sorrowful path of our life with the light of your heavenly glory and the assurance of endless life! Accept this small prayer of ours and do not reject us who come running to you: pray always to the Master of all, that we too may not be deprived of the heavenly chamber, but together with the saints we may sing there to Christ our God: Alleluia.
[Се́й конда́к глаго́лется три́жды.]
[Далее повторяем 1‑е икос и кондак:]
Икос 1
The Creator of angels, knowing from the beginning the undoubting strength of your confession, made you in cruel circumstances to be heralds of the general resurrection of all, as angelic witnesses of the Gospel promise. Marveling at this providence of God for us, in reverence we cry out thus:
Rejoice, bright stars of the coming resurrection;
Rejoice, glorious rays of the risen Christ the Savior.
Rejoice, morning star of the great day of the Lord;
Rejoice, faithful children of Christ who have appeared from the houses of the unfaithful.
Rejoice, called into the wondrous light and freedom of the sons of the resurrection;
Rejoice, chosen by the Holy Spirit to be preachers of the words of eternal life.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, bright stars of the coming resurrection;
Rejoice, glorious rays of the risen Christ the Savior.
Rejoice, morning star of the great day of the Lord;
Rejoice, faithful children of Christ who have appeared from the houses of the unfaithful.
Rejoice, called into the wondrous light and freedom of the sons of the resurrection;
Rejoice, chosen by the Holy Spirit to be preachers of the words of eternal life.
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Кондак 1
Chosen from Christ God, who rose in the flesh from the dead, revealed to the world as an assurance of the general resurrection of all, wondrous youths who were in Ephesus, glorifying the Lord glorified in you, we lift up to you songs of praise, saying:
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Rejoice, passion-bearers of Christ, wondrous preachers of the universal resurrection of the dead!
Молитва 1-я святым седми отрокам Ефесским
O great, praiseworthy and incomprehensible and inscrutable God, who created man with Thy hand, taking dust from the earth, and honored him with Thy image, Jesus Christ, the most desired name, with Thy Father without beginning and with Thy most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, appear upon Thy servant (name), and visit his soul and body, we beseech our most glorious Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, the holy Heavenly Bodiless Powers, and the honorable glorious prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, the holy glorious and all-praiseworthy apostles, who are among our holy fathers, and the ecumenical teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom, Athanasius and Cyril, Nicholas who is in Myra, Spyridon the Wonderworker, and all the holy clergy, the holy apostle, the first martyr and archdeacon Stephen, the holy glorious great martyrs George the Victorious, Demetrius the Myrrh-bearer, Theodore Stratelates, and all the holy martyrs, our venerable and God-bearing fathers Anthony, Euthymius, Sava the Sanctified, Theodosius the head of the common life, Onuphrius, Arsenius, Athanasius of Athos, and all the venerable, holy and healers, the unmercenary Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Thalaleus and Tryphon and others, holy righteous John of Kronstadt, holy venerable John of Rila, holy blessed Xenia of Petersburg and all Your saints. And grant him a sleep of peace, a sleep of the body of health and salvation and life, and strength of soul and body, as you once visited Abimelech, your servant, in the temple of Agrippa, and gave him a sleep of consolation, so as not to see the fall of Jerusalem, and put him to sleep with nourishing sleep, and again resurrected him in a single moment of time, to the glory of your goodness. But Thy holy seven glorious youths, confessors and witnesses of Thy appearance, showed themselves in the days of Decius the Emperor and apostate, and these slept in the cave for a hundred and eighty years, like infants warmed in the womb of their mother, and did not suffer corruption at all, to the praise and glory of Thy love for mankind, and as a testimony and announcement of our rebirth and the resurrection of all. Therefore, Thou Thyself, the King, the Lover of mankind, stand now also by inspiration.
Thy Holy Spirit, and visit Thy servant (name), and grant him health, strength, and prosperity, by Thy goodness, for from Thee is every good gift, and every gift is perfect. For Thou art the physician of our souls and bodies, and to Thee we send up glory and thanksgiving and worship, with Thy Father without beginning, and with Thy Most Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Молитва 2-я святым седми отрокам Ефесским
O most wondrous holy seven-numbered youths, the praise of the city of Ephesus and the hope of the whole universe! Look down from the heights of heavenly glory upon us, who honor your memory with love, and especially upon the Christian infants, entrusted to your protection by their parents. Bring down upon them the blessing of Christ God, Who said: Let the children come to Me. Heal therefore their sick, comfort the sorrowing; keep their hearts pure, fill them with meekness, and plant and strengthen the seed of confession of God in the soil of their hearts, that they may grow from strength to strength. And grant all of us, the servants of God (names) standing before your holy icon, and those who pray to you fervently, to attain the Kingdom of Heaven and with unceasing voices of joy to glorify there the magnificent name of the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen
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