At home akathist rule

[thomais bohay]

Hi, just wanted to ask if any of you knew the rule or knew of a link to the canon for reading an akathist at home. A priest gave me the link once a LONG long time ago and now I dont remember where it was.

I belong to a small mission with no priest and our Dean gave us permission to pray the hours weekly at our mission (aside from the third hour typica we do on Sundays) and to sing the akathist weekly too. We are just pleased as punch over this but want to do it right. Your help is appreciated.

T.

[Waldemar]

Thomais,

You can find The Order for Reading Canons and Akathists Alone here:

http://www.myriobiblos.gr/texts/english/prayerbook/main.htm

[thomais bohay]

THATS the site!! Thanks a bunch. And I thank those of you who responded privately. Oh, I forgot, does it have to be read before compline? My godfather (who knows a little bit of everything and a lot about nothing and fills in the rest with stuff no one understands except him and God) who attends a different church said that he thought that the Akathist was always read before Compline. Or was it after. I dont exactly remember what he said, but it meant AT NIGHT. Thanks again.

[thomais bohay]

I read the order and read a private post sent to me and put together... they still dont make much sense. But we have a priest visiting for Vespers next Wednesday evening and he used to live in a monastary, so I am almost sure he can help us. We just found this out today. He will be visiting every Wednesday for four weeks and serving vespers and then having a class after. He used to be a cop too, and for small man he sure carries a lot of weight. He says froggy and we jump, no questions. I sure wish we had him more than just once a month. He is one of three visiting priests that serve at our chapel. He comes every month and then the other two priests switch off. So we have a priestly visit every two weeks. We are just about drooling all over ourselves with happiness at his coming for vespers and a class every week! Never ever take having a priest for granted folks.

[Fr Averky]

Thomais,
Since I am the one who sent you the private letter giving you the order for the akathist, I am really sorry if it caused you further confusion!

In fact, I took the time to look at a few sources, ingluding that old classic the "Hapgood," our own pubilication of Akathists, and for the order of the moleiben, "The Great Book of Needs," an excellent recent effort by St. Tikhon's Monastery Press, which interestingly is partially based on the Slavonic "Trebnik" printed by my monastery, which in turn is based on an eminent publicatiin in St. Petersburg shortly before the revolution. In the end, the best way for all of you go learn will be to experience it, and having a priest to serve it for you will make all the difference!

Allow me say, it was my aim to show you how the Akathist (captital "A" used here) fits into the context of a moleiben, a general service of thanksgiving or to the Saviour, the Mother of God, or for various needs and occasions. I thought that since yoiu are but a small group, an expanded service would give all of you the sense of having a "full" service, which can be a consolation when there is not the frequent presence of a priest. For instance, while the Typica does facilitate a small group to get together on a Sunday or Feast and at least do something, it is certainly not like the Divine Liturgy.There a number of beautiful Akathists, and several years ago, we translated and published a very fine edition entitled "Book of Akathists," which contains several Akathist to the u and to the Mother of God and number of her miraculois icons and to various saints.

I am very happy to hear that a priest will be visiting, for it is a real consolation to a small group, for I have experienced it myself. Or to express it as you might, "Why Thomais, I am just drowning in the drool of your excitement. and I am as happy as a flea in a hound dog on a cold Winter's night.!" I can imagine you doing a joyful jig all around the the room right this minute! I declare, Miz Thiomais, I have not heard such wonderfully colorful language in years! You have forever endeared yourself to me for twice now your wonderful expressions have given me a big smile for the day, and for that I truly thank you!

God bless you and all the members of your mission, and may you all have a truly Bright and Joyful Pascha!

Joyfully yours,

hieromonk Averky

[thomais bohay]

I am far more colorful online than in real life, I assure you. Did you not get my reply to your private post? It was in my email and I may not have sent to the right place. I am quite wordy online too. I try to be during confession as well, but it always comes out "Uh, duh,um " and I can never remember what it was I wanted to confess. I look like a deer in headlights.