An
akathist (Greek,
akathistos) is a
hymn dedicated to a
saint,
holy event, or one of the persons of the
Holy Trinity. The word
akathist itself means "not sitting." The akathist
par excellence is that written in the 6th century to the
Theotokos. In its use as part of the Salutations to the Theotokos service (used in the Byzantine tradition during
Great Lent), it is often known by its Greek or Arabic names,
Chairetismoi and
Madayeh, respectively.
The writing of akathists (occasionally spelled acathist) continues today as part of the general composition of an akolouthia, especially in the Slavic tradition, although not all are widely known nor translated beyond the original language.
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