An Akathist or Acathist Hymn is a type of hymn usually recited by Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Christians, dedicated to a saint, holy event, or one of the persons of the Holy Trinity. The name derives from the fact that during the chanting of the hymn, or sometimes the whole service, the congregation is expected to remain standing in reverence, without sitting down, except for the aged or infirm.
Icon of the Akathist of the Theotokos. Fresco detail, 1644. Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Mother of God, Moscow Kremlin.
Icon of the Theotokos Orans from Spasky Cathedral in Yaroslavl (13th-century).
Detail of the icon of the Praises of the Theotokos, before which the Akathist may be chanted. The Theotokos is shown enthroned in the center, with Christ Emmanuel above her. To either side are shown the prophets who foretold the Incarnation. In the full icon, scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary surround this vignette.
A kontakion is a form of hymn in the Byzantine liturgical tradition.
Icon of St. Romanos the Melodist chanting his kontakion (1649, Malaryta, Belarus).
Easter kondak Аще и въ гробъ Ašte i vǔ grobǔ (Easter kontakion Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ Ei kai en taphō) in ēchos plagios tetartos and its kontakion-prosomoion Аще и убьѥна быста Ašte i ubǐjena bysta (24 July Boris and Gleb) (RUS-SPsc Ms. Q.п.I.32, ET-MSsc Ms. Sin. Gr. 1280, F-Pn fonds grec Ms. 397)
