Dear brother Archons:

Soon we will be in the season of the Great Fast. On the Friday evenings of Lent, we will once again have the opportunity to experience the beautiful and inspiring Lenten Χαιρετισμοί services of the Akathist Hymn offered to the Mother of God. This interesting and informative article gives one account of the origins of the Akathist Hymn, as a hymn of Thanksgiving offered to the Most Holy Theotokos in gratitude, after the Persian and Avar forces besieging Constantinople in the year 626 began to suffer heavy losses and saw, to their dismay, a woman in shining garments with a face full of light at the walls of the city. 

This inspiring story is a reminder to us of the Mother of God’s maternal care for us, and of the love and mercy of Almighty God. As we continue preparing for the Great Fast, this article will deepen our love for the Mother of God and our appreciation for the Akathist Hymn, and aid in our prayer and meditation.

Anthony J. Limberakis, MD

Archon Aktouarios 

National Commander