Akathist

An Ancient Hymn to Mary ODE IN HONOR OF THE HOLY IMMACULATE MOST BLESSED GLORIOUS LADY MOTHER OF GOD AND EVER VIRGIN MARY. The Akathist Hymn in praise of our Lady was written on the occasion of the deliverance of Constantinople from the Barbarians in 626 A.D. It is here presented with historical and liturgical notes. This ancient devotion is a profoundly moving prayer from the Christian East and part of the patrimony of the Universal Church. In his preface to his translation Fr. Vincent McNabb writes: “No apology is needed for introducing the Akathist to the Christian West. Indeed, the West might be apologetic about its neglect or ignorance of such a liturgical and literary masterpiece.”