Akathist for one who died

Kontakion 1 Chosen Intercessor and High Priest, Who laid down His soul for the salvation of the sinful world, giving us the power to be children of God and dwell in the never-ending day of Thy Kingdom! Grant forgiveness and eternal joy to the deceased, for whom we cry out to Thee with prayer: Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Ikos 1 Holy guardian Angel given by the Lord, come to pray for thy servant, whom thou accompaniedst, guardedst and instructedst on all the paths of life, cry with us to the All-Generous Saviour: Jesus, destroy the handwriting of the sins of Thy servant (name).
Jesus, heal his soul sores.
Jesus, may there be no bitter memories of him on earth.
Jesus, for this reason have mercy on those who grieved him and on those who have been offended by him.
Jesus, cover his imperfections with the luminous garment of Thy redemption.
Jesus, rejoice him with Thy mercy.
Jesus, inexpressible, great and wonderful, appear to him Thyself.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 2 Like an inconsolable turtle-dove, the soul rushes over the earthly vale, contemplating from the height of divine understanding the sins and enticements of the past path, bitterly grieving for each irrevocable day that has gone useless, but have mercy on Thy servant, Master, that he may enter into Thy rest, crying out: Alleluia.

Ikos 2 If Thou sufferedst for the whole world, if Thou shedst tears and bloody sweat for the living and the dead, then who will keep us from praying for the deceased. Imitating Thee, Who descended even to hell, we pray for the salvation of Thy servant.
Jesus, Giver of life, illumine him with Thy light.
Jesus, may he be one with Thee and the Father.
Jesus, Who calls everyone into Thy vineyard, do not forget to illuminate him with Thy light.
Jesus, bountiful Distributor of eternal rewards, reveal him with the light of Thy chamber.
Jesus, return to his soul the grace-filled powers of primordial purity.
Jesus, may good works be multiplied in his name.
Jesus, warm the orphaned with Thy mysterious consolation.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 3 Bound by the bonds of the flesh, Thy servant fell sinfully, but his spirit languished for Thine eternal truth and holiness, now, when the infirmity of the flesh is bound by grave corruption, may his soul ascend above the sun to Thee, the All-Holy One, and sing the song of deliverance: Alleluia!

Ikos 3 Thy Supreme Apostle on a cold night by the fire denied Thee three times, and Thou savedst him. The only One Who knows the infirmity of a human being, forgive also Thy servant (name) the many-sided falling away from Thy will.
Jesus, settle him where there is no misconceptions.
Jesus, may the memory of sins perish forever.
Jesus, remember not the enticments of his youth.
Jesus, cleanse him from secret iniquities.
Jesus, overshadow him with the quiet light of salvation.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 4 The storms of life have passed, earthly sufferings are over, the enemies with their malice are powerless, but love is strong, delivering from eternal darkness and saving all, for whom the daring song ascends to Thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 4 Thou art merciful to us without number. Thou art the only Deliverer, what will we add to the feat of Thy saving love? But Simon of Cyrene helped Thee the Almighty to carry the Cross, so now Thy goodness is pleased to accomplish the salvation of loved ones with our participation.
Jesus, Thou commandedst one another to bear burdens.
Jesus, Thou placedst a bond of love between the living and the dead.
Jesus, may the exploits of those who love serve for the salvation of Thy servant (name).
Jesus, hear his cry of the heart, lifted up by our lips.
Jesus, in our tears receive his repentance.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 5 God, may his dying breath of contrition be accepted by Thee, as well as the prayer of a prudent thief. He faded away on the cross of life, let him inherit Thy promises, as well as that one: "Amen, I say unto thee, shalt thou be with Me in paradise," where the hosts of repentant sinners joyfully sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 5 Crucified for us, tormented for us, stretch out Thy hand from Thy Cross, with drops of Thy blood wash away his poured out sins without a trace, warm the denudated orphaned soul with Thy good-looking nakedness.
Jesus, Thou knewest his life before birth and loved him.
Jesus, Thou sawest him from afar from the height of Thy Cross.
Jesus, Thou stretchedst out Thy wounded arms to him into the distance to come.
Jesus, Thou criedst out for his forgiveness on bloody Calvary.
Jesus, Thou meekly diedst for him in heavy agony.
Jesus, Who endured the situation in the tomb, sanctify his grave rest.
Jesus Risen, lift up to the Father the soul that has been embittered by the world and saved by Thee.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 6 He sleeps in the eternal sleep of the grave, but his soul does not nap, looks for Thee, Lord, thirsts for Thee, the eternal Bridegroom. May Thy words be fulfilled on the died one: "He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, has eternal life." Give him to eat from the hidden manna and sing at Thy Throne: Alleluia.

Ikos 6 Death separated from all neighbours, the soul became farther, the known ones lament, and only Thou Alone remainedst close. The barriers of the flesh were destroyed and Thou revealedst Thyself in the impregnable majesty of the Divine with the expectation of an answer.
Jesus, Love beyond all understanding, have mercy on Thy servant.
Jesus, he suffered hard, being removed from Thee.
Jesus, forgive the unfaithfulness of his heart.
Jesus, deceived hopes gave rise to longing for Thee.
Jesus, remember those hours when his soul trembled with Thy delight.
Jesus, give unearthly joy and peace to the deceased.
Jesus, the only faithful, unchanging, accept him.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 7 We believe that our separation will not be long. We bury thee like a grain in a field, thou wilt grow in another country. May the tares of thy sins perish in the grave, and good deeds shine there, where the seeds of goodness bear imperishable fruits, where the holy souls sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 7 When oblivion becomes the lot of the deceased, when his image fades in hearts and time will erase the place with the grave and the zeal of prayer for him, then do not Thou leave him, give joy to a lonely soul.
Jesus, Thy love does not grow cold.
Jesus, Thy benevolence is inexhaustible.
Jesus, in the unceasing prayers of the Church, may his sins be washed away by the offering of the Bloodless Sacrifice.
Jesus, through the intercession of all the saints, grant him the grace of prayer for the living.
Jesus, in the days of our trials, accept his intercession for us.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 8 Let us pray with tears when the memory of the deceased is painfully fresh, let us remember his name in the night and in the day, distributing alms, feeding the hungry, crying out from the depths of our souls: Alleluia.

Ikos 8 The seer of secrets John the Theologian contemplated at the Throne of the Lamb of God a great multitude of people clothed in white robes: these are those who came from great sorrow. They joyfully serve God day and night, and God dwells with them, and torment will not touch them.
Jesus, count among them and Thy servant (name).
Jesus, he suffered and languished much.
Jesus, You know all the bitter hours and painful minutes of his.
Jesus, on earth he had sorrows and griefs, give him consolation in heaven.
Jesus, sweeten him from the springs of living water.
Jesus, take away every tear from his eyes.
Jesus, settle him, where the sun of Thy righteousness does not scorch, but enlivens.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 9 Is ended the earthly wandering, what a grace-filled transition to the world of the Spirit, what contemplation of new things unknown to the earthly world and heavenly beauties, the soul returns to its fatherland, where the bright sun, the truth of God enlightens those who sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 9 If Thy reflection and trace puts a radiance on the face of mortals, then which art Thou Thyself? If the fruits of Thy hands are so beautiful, and the earth, reflecting only Thy shadow, is full of inexpressible majesty, then which is Thine invisible countenance? Reveal Thy glory to Thy deceased servant (name).
Jesus, sharpen his hearing to perceive Thy Divinity.
Jesus, sharpen his hearing for the understanding of those in heaven.
Jesus, may his joy be overflowing.
Jesus, strengthen him with the hope of meeting in the abodes of the blessed.
Jesus, give us feel the grace-filled power of prayer for the dead.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 10 Our Father, accept him who has died in Thy Kingdom, where there is no sin and evil, where the Holy Will is indestructible, where in the hosts of the purest souls and immaculate angels Thy grace-filled name is sanctified and praise is fragrant: Alleluia.

Ikos 10 On that day, the angels will establish Thy Throne, Judge, and Thou wilt shine in the glory of Thy Father, bringing recompense to every person. Oh, then look graciously at Thy humble servant (name), tell him: "Come at the right hand of Me."
Jesus, as God Thou hast the power to forgive sins.
Jesus, forgive his sins forgotten or hidden by shame.
Jesus, absolve him of the iniquities of weakness or ignorance.
Jesus, deliver him from the unholy depths of hellish despair.
Jesus, may he inherit Thy life-giving promises.
Jesus, count him together with the blessed ones of Thy Father.
Jesus, give him everlasting bliss.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 11 May the sun-shaped gates of heaven open to the deceased, may the assemblies of the righteous and saints, the hosts of those close and loving him, meet him with jubilation, may Thy luminous angels rejoice over him, may he also see Thy Everblessed Mother where it victoriously sounds: Alleluia.

Ikos 11 Under Thy breath flowers come to life, nature is resurrected, hosts of the smallest creatures awaken, Thy gaze is brighter than spring skies, Thy love, Jesus, is warmer than the rays of the sun. Thou resurrectedst mortal human flesh from the dust of the earth to the blossoming of the eternal imperishable life of spring, then illumine and Thy servant (name) with the light of Thy mercies.
Jesus, in Thy right hand is goodwill and life.
Jesus, there is light and love in Thy sight.
Jesus, deliver the departed from eternal spiritual death.
Jesus, he fell asleep with hope, like the Nile River before a cold winter.
Jesus, awaken him when the thorns of the earth will be clothed with the flower of eternity.
Jesus, let nothing earthly darken his last sleep.
Jesus, Thou art Unchanging Happiness and the purpose of our existence.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 12 Christ! Thou art the Kingdom of Heaven, Thou art the land of the meek, Thou art the abode of many, Thou art a completely new drink, Thou art the robe and crown of the venerable, Thou art the bed of comfort of the saints, Thou art the Sweetest Jesus! Praise befits Thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 12 Under the image of quiet gardens of unearthly beauty, and bright as the sun, abodes and in the splendor of heavenly hymns, Thou revealedst to us the bliss of those who love Thee.
Jesus, let Thy servant enter into Thy joy.
Jesus, clothe him with the radiance of the glory of the Father.
Jesus, enlighten him with the illumination of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, may he ascend from glory to glory.
Jesus, may he see Thee face to face.
Jesus, the All-Merciful Judge, vouchsafe the sweetness of paradise to Thy servant.

Kontakion 13 Oh, Immortal Bridegroom, at midnight of sin and unbelief, coming from heaven with angels to judge the whole world around, open the doors of the glorious chamber to Thy servant (name), and let him in countless hosts of saints forever sing: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

This kontakion is read three times. Then read: