term "Akathist" means "chant in the performance of which should sit."
What akathist?
In the old days it was called nesedalnym anthem.Kathisma are the opposite of hymns.At the time of their execution is allowed to sit.Akathist - a kind of hymn genre.It appeared during the early Byzantine and often found in Greek literature of the Middle Ages.Akathist widespread.From Greece it migrated to the literature of Eastern Europe.
Kontakion and Ikos
This hymn of 24 stanzas: 50% it consists of Kondakov and 50% - of ICOS.Many people today do not even know what it is.At the end of the first chants sung again Ikos and Kontakion.But what do these words mean?"Kondakov," formerly known as the bundle of paper on which both sides something written.In the past, the word was quite famous.It should always be remembered that akathist - a hymn, composed of several sections.This is a very important point.Kondakov akathist contains concise information about life of a saint or a sense of celebration.Words are completed, they are then sung at the end of ICOS following thereafter.Again, many have reflected on the meaning of an unfamiliar word.The term "Ikos" reminds Christians of the Syriac tradition.In this country the word had two meanings at once - "poetic stanza" and "home".Syrian Christians often sang hymns at home at any of the faithful.Modern Orthodox often go to prayer with Akathist.What it is?This is a service in which Christians ask God, the Virgin Mary or the saints of the blessing or thank the Lord.Of course, this service includes akathist.
More about Kontakion and Ikos
But back to Ikos and Kontakion.They are located in alphabetical order.It is, of course, Greek.But there is an exception - it is the first kontakion.We can say that he is knocked out of action.The product is traditionally reflected dogmatic and historical issues.In the small Kondakov presented only the rudiments of subjects, and in the space of ICOS, it sets out in detail.Recent consist of two sections: one containing a story about something, and in another - praise.It happens always.
In proslavitelnom section certainly has hayretizmy - couplets, beginning with the obligatory words «Chaere», which is translated as "rejoice."Churches often conducted Vespers with Akathist.What it is?In fact, this is a common service.Just akathist marks on it.Every Orthodox person should know about it.
Russian and Greek tradition
In olden days the word "Akathist" implies only one liturgical hymn, which was circulated in the Byzantine Empire, namely praise and dogmatic chant dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.It is still considered the best example akafistografii.This word means writing hymns.Akafistograf - a person coming up with songs.So therefore called Christians.After a while, when there were other songs like hymns, the term has come to mean all of these hymns.So a new genre sprang.
Akathist - a hymn, who immediately fell in love with the faithful.He is very handsome, therefore, this is not surprising.Soon akathist the Blessed Virgin Mary received another name.It became known as the "Great Akathist".Under this name he is known to many until now.Greek tradition holds akathist only the anthem and other songs nesedalnye, in shape resembling it, in this country called "podobnovami."Why such a name?It arose on the grounds that these are like Ikos Akathist.They really like him.But in our country there are many kinds of hymns.Still, we have many differences with Greece.In particular we have a holy hymns.This chant, which has information about their lives.
Great akathist
Great akathist today has armhole (from the Greek word translated as "entry") or intonation, which is often called "Kukula" (the term means "hood").It literally envelops the 24 stanzas, after reaching 12 and 12 lengthy compressed ICOS following staggered.What else can you say about them?Ikos Each begins with the Greek letter.Lengthy consist of two sections.This follows the initial metric compressed icosa.The second section consists of 12 requests addressed to the Virgin Mary, hayretizmov.Currently, the vast number of Hymnology and experts on the part of the Byzantine inclined to believe that the Great akathist appeared in 431-634 years.More precisely, in between.Researchers believe that on this akathist worked several hymnographers.Most likely, it was true.Well, the prayers, hymns have come to our country: they are now an integral part of Orthodox life.
Hymn in our country
The Russian church tradition this hymn could be approximately 916 year, as in this period was over translated into Slavic language book "Lenten Triodion", which he has already been included.There are more than 30 editions of the songs, but in our country are not known won Athos option beginning of XIV century (old man named John), and the 1627 version of Kiev, which was Archimandrite Pletenetsky, who identified himself as Elisha.It should be noted that this person turned "Lenten Triodion", and in 1656 on the basis of his work was released the Moscow edition of the church books.Greek hymns at the dawn of the XV century have spread among the Slavic monks.This is evidenced by a book called "Kanonnikov" St. Cyril, released in 1407.Akathist - a solemn hymn, so attitude should be appropriate.
