SAINT STEVEN'S SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL
Alhambra, California
THE AKATHIST HYMNS
TO THE BLESSED THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY
Celebrated with Little Compline
on Fridays at 7:00 p.m during Great Lent
The Akathist Hymn and Small Compline are two services which are sung on the first five Fridays during Great Lent.
The Akathist Hymn is a profound, devotional poem or chant, which sings the praises of the Holy Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary (Theotokos). It is chanted in all Orthodox Churches throughout the world during the five Fridays in the Great Lent, and constitutes a very concrete spiritual preparation for the Holy Week and Easter Services.
Devotional Hymns to the Theotokos are as ancient as the first Christian Church. The title of the Hymn " Akathistos ", in Greek meaning ' not seated ', as the faithful stand in praise of the Blessed Mother of God, the Incarnation of the Son of God, and their ultimate salvation in him.
The Akathist Hymn is a very important and indeed an integral part of our religious and ecclesiastical life. When we are present during the first Friday Service, we firmly realize that we commence to ascend the spiritual steps of the lengthy Lenten period, to finally reach the peak with our Lord's Glorious Resurrection.
Join us at Saint Steven's with your family and friend on the following days for this beautiful service: Fridays, March 14, 21, 28; April 4, and 11.