Kontakion 1

Chosen Wonderworker and superb servant of Christ, who poured out for all the world the most precious myrrh of mercy and an inexhaustible ocean of miracles, I praise you with love, Saint Nicholas; and as you have boldness towards the Lord, deliver me from all adversities that I may call to you:

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Ikos 1

The Lord of all creation made you an Angel in mannerism though earthly by nature. Foreseeing the fruitful beauty of your soul, blessed Nicholas, he taught all to cry to you:

Rejoice, for you were purified from your mother's womb; rejoice, for you kept holy even to the end. Rejoice, for you amazed your parents by your birth; rejoice, for you showed soon after your birth the vigor of your soul. Rejoice, garden of the land of promise; rejoice, flower of divine planting. Rejoice, virtuous vine of Christ's vineyard; rejoice, wonderworking tree of the Paradise of Jesus. Rejoice, lily of heavenly growth; rejoice, myrrh of the fragrance of Christ. Rejoice, for through you lamentation is banished; rejoice, for you bring to all joy.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 2

Seeing the flow of the myrrh, O divinely wise Saint, our souls and bodies are enlightened, and we realize that you are a wonderful, living source of unction, O Nicholas. For you refresh with miracles as with waters poured out by the grace of God those who faithfully cry to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

Teaching incomprehensible knowledge about the Holy Trinity you were a champion of the confession of the Orthodox faith with the holy fathers in Nicea. For you confessed the Son equal to the Father, co-eternal and co-enthroned, and you convicted the foolish Arius. Therefore, you have taught the faithful to sing to you:

Rejoice, great pillar of holiness; rejoice, city of refuge for the faithful. Rejoice, firm stronghold of Orthodoxy; rejoice, venerable vessel and praise of the Holy Trinity. Rejoice, preacher of the Son equal in honor with the Father; rejoice, expeller the bedeviled Arius from the council of the saints. Rejoice, glorious beauty of the fathers; rejoice, wise goodness of all the divinely wise. Rejoice, speaker of fiery words; rejoice, righteous director of your flock. Rejoice, for through you faith is strengthened; rejoice; for through you heresy is defeated.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 3

By the power given you from on high you dry every tear from the face of those in terrible suffering, O God-bearing father Nicholas. For you are a feeder of the hungry, a superb pilot for those on the high seas, and a healer of the sick, and you have proved to be a helper to all who cry to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

Truly a song ought to be sung to you from heaven, and not from earth, Father Nicholas; for how can a mere man proclaim the greatness of your holiness? But, conquered by your love, we cry to you:

Rejoice, model of lambs and shepherds; rejoice, holy purification of morals. Rejoice, container of great virtues; rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness. Rejoice, bright lamp beloved by all; rejoice, pure and golden-rayed light. Rejoice, worthy collocutor of Angels; rejoice, good director of men. Rejoice, rule of pious faith; rejoice, model of spiritual meekness. Rejoice, for through you we are delivered from bodily passions; rejoice, for through you we are filled with spiritual delights.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 4

A storm of bewilderment confuses my mind. How can we worthily sing of your miracles, O blessed Nicholas? For no one could count them, even if he had many tongues and the best will in the world. But we boldly too sing to God who is wonderfully glorified in you: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

People near and far heard of the greatness of your miracles, O divinely wise Nicholas, that in the air with the delicate wings of grace you are accustomed to help all in adversity, and quickly deliver all who cry to you:

Rejoice, deliverance from sorrow; rejoice, channel of grace. Rejoice, dispeller of unexpected evils; rejoice, planter of good desires. Rejoice, quick comforter of those in adversity; rejoice, dread punisher of wrongdoers. Rejoice, abyss of miracles poured out by God; rejoice, tablets of the law of Christ written by God. Rejoice, strong uplift of the falling; rejoice, support of those who stand aright. Rejoice, exposer of all deception; rejoice, for through you all truth is realized.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 5

You appeared as a God-ward racing star, guiding those in distress at sea, who were once threatened with imminent death if you had not come to the help of those who called upon you, O wonderworker Saint Nicholas, for you forbid the flying devils who shamelessly wanted to sink the ship, and you drove them away, and taught the faithful to cry to God Who saves through you: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

The girls prepared for a dishonorable marriage on account of their poverty, saw your great mercy for the poor, Holy Father Nicholas, when you secretly gave their old parent at night the three little bundles of gold, thereby saving him and his daughter from falling into sin. Therefore you hear from all:

Rejoice, treasure of greatest mercy; rejoice, friend of providing for people. Rejoice, food and refreshment of those who have recourse to you; rejoice, inexhaustible bread of the hungry. Rejoice, God-giving wealth of those living in poverty on earth; rejoice, quick uplifting of the poor. Rejoice, speedy hearing of beggars; rejoice, acceptable care of the sorrowful. Rejoice, pure provider for the three maidens; rejoice, zealous guardian of purity. Rejoice, hope of the hopeless; rejoice, delight of the whole world.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 6

The whole world proclaims you, blessed Nicholas, as a quick intercessor in adversities; for frequently you precede those traveling by land and those sailing on the sea, and help them in a single hour, keeping from evils all who cry to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

You shone as a living light, bringing deliverance to the war leaders who had been sentenced to an unjust death, and who called to you, good shepherd Nicholas, when you quickly appeared in a dream to the emperor, and terrified him and ordered him to release them unharmed. Therefore together with them we gratefully cry to you:

Rejoice, helper of those who invoke you fervently; rejoice, deliverer from unjust death. Rejoice, preserver from lying insult; rejoice, foiler of unjust plans. Rejoice, for you tear lies to shreds like cobwebs; rejoice, for you gloriously exalt the truth. Rejoice, deliverer of the innocent from their chains; rejoice, revival of the dead. Rejoice, preacher of righteousness; rejoice, exposer of unrighteousness. Rejoice, for through you the innocent were saved from the sword; rejoice, for through you they enjoyed the light.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 7

Wishing to dispel the blasphemous stench of heresy you appeared as a truly fragrant, mystical myrrh, O Nicholas. By shepherding the people of Myra, you filled the whole world with your gracious myrrh. And dispelled from us the stench of sin hateful to the Divine mind, that we may acceptably cry to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

We understand you to be a new Noah, a guide of the ark of salvation, Holy Father Nicholas, who dispels the storm of all evils by your spiritual direction, and bring divine calm to those who cry to you:

Rejoice, quiet heaven of those bestormed; rejoice, sure protection of those who are drowning. Rejoice, good pilot of those sailing amid whirlpools; rejoice, for your prayers calm the raging of the sea. Rejoice, guide of those in whirlwinds; rejoice, warmth of those in frosts. Rejoice, radiance which dispels the gloom of sorrow; rejoice, light which illumines all the ends of the earth. Rejoice, for you deliver people from the abyss of sin; rejoice, for you cast Satan into the abyss of hell. Rejoice, for through you we boldly invoke the abyss of God's mercy; rejoice, for through you we are saved from the flood of wrath, and find peace with God.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 8

Your holy church proves a strange wonder to those who flock to you, blessed Nicholas; for by offering in it even a small prayer, we receive healing from great illnesses, if only, after God, we put our hope in you and faithfully cry: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

You are truly a helper to all, O God-bearing Nicholas, and you have gathered together all who have recourse to you, for you are a deliverer, feeder and quick healer to all on earth, and you move all to praise you:

Rejoice, source of all kinds of healing; rejoice, helper of those in terrible suffering. Rejoice, dawn shining for those wandering in the night of sin; rejoice, heaven-sent dew for those in the heat of labors. Rejoice, giver of prosperity to those who require it; rejoice, for you prepare an abundance for those who ask. Rejoice, for you often forestall prayer; rejoice, for you restore strength to the old and gray-headed. Rejoice, convictor of many who have wandered from the true way; rejoice, faithful steward of the mysteries of God. Rejoice, for through you we conquer jealousy; rejoice, for through you we lead a good life.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 9

Allay all our pains, O our great intercessor Nicholas, and grant gracious healings to delight our souls and rejoice the hearts of all who run fervently to you for help and cry to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

The sophisticated spokesmen of the impious, we see, were put to shame by you, O divinely wise Father Nicholas; for you confuted Arius the blasphemer who divided the God-head and Sabellius who confounded the Holy Trinity, but you have strengthened us in Orthodoxy. Therefore we cry to you:

Rejoice, shield that defends piety; rejoice, sword that cuts down impiety. Rejoice, teacher of the divine commandments; rejoice, destroyer of anti-God doctrines. Rejoice, ladder set up by God by which we mount to heaven; rejoice, God-given protection, by which many are sheltered. Rejoice, for by your words the unwise are made wise; rejoice, for you stir the slothful by your example. Rejoice, inextinguishable light of God's commandments; rejoice, bright ray of the Lord's precepts. Rejoice, for through your teaching the heads of heretics are crushed; rejoice, for through you the faithful are granted glory.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 10

Wishing to save your soul, you truly subjected your body to the spirit, O our Father Nicholas. For by silence first and by wrestling with thoughts, you added contemplation to activity; and by contemplation you didst acquired perfect knowledge with which you boldly conversed with God and the Angels, always crying: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

You are a wall, O blessed Nicholas, to those who praise your miracles and to all who seek your protection. Therefore, free us who are poor in virtue from poverty, adversity, sickness and want of various kinds, as we cry to you with love:

Rejoice, rescuer from eternal misery; rejoice, granter of incorruptible riches. Rejoice, imperishable food for those who hunger for righteousness; rejoice, inexhaustible drink for those who thirst for life. Rejoice, for you preserve us from revolution and war; rejoice, for you free us from chains and imprisonment. Rejoice, glorious intercessor in misfortunes; rejoice, great defender in temptations. Rejoice, for you have snatched many from perdition; rejoice, for you have kept countless numbers unharmed. Rejoice, for through you sinners escape a frightful death; rejoice, for through you those who repent obtain eternal life.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 11

Your life was a song to the Most Holy Trinity, surpassing others in thought, word and deed, O Most blessed Nicholas. For with much research you explained the precepts of the true faith, teaching us to sing with faith, hope and love to the one god in Trinity: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

We see you as a bright storm lantern for those in the darkness of this life, O God-chosen Father Nicholas. For you conversed with the immaterial angelic lights concerning the uncreated light of the Trinity, and you enlighten the souls of the faithful who cry to you:

Rejoice, radiance of the triune Light; rejoice, daystar of the never-setting Sun. Rejoice, lamp lit by the divine Flame; rejoice, for you have extinguished the devilish flame of impiety. Rejoice, bright preaching of true faith; rejoice, luminous radiance of the light of the Gospel. Rejoice, lightning that consumes heresy; rejoice, thunder which terrifies sinners. Rejoice, teacher of true knowledge; rejoice, revealer of the secret mind. Rejoice, for through you the worship of creatures has been abolished; rejoice, for through you we have learned to worship the Creator in the Trinity.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 12

Knowing the grace that has been given to you by God, we joyfully celebrate your memory, most glorious Father Nicholas, and with all our soul we crave your wonderful intercession. Unable to count your glorious deeds which are like the sand of the sea and the profusion of stars, in utter bewilderment we cry to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

While we sing of your wonders, we praise you, O all-praised Nicholas. For in you God who is glorified in the Trinity has been wonderfully glorified. But even if we were to offer you with all our soul a multitude of psalms and songs, O holy wonder worker, we should do nothing to equal the gift of your miracles, and amazed by them we cry to you:

Rejoice, servant of the King of kings and Lord of lords; rejoice, co-dweller with His heavenly servants. Rejoice, support of faithful kings; rejoice, exaltation of Christendom. Rejoice, namesake of victory; rejoice, eminent victor. Rejoice, mirror of all the virtues; rejoice health of our bodies and salvation of our souls. Rejoice, strong buttress of all who have recourse to you; rejoice, after God and the Mother of God, all our hope. Rejoice, for through you we are delivered from eternal death; rejoice, for through you we are granted eternal life.

Rejoice, Great Wonderworker Nicholas!

Kontakion 13

O Most holy and wonderful Father Nicholas, comfort of all in sorrow, accept our present offering, and pray to the Lord that we may be delivered from Gehenna through your gracious intercession, that with you we may sing: Alleluia!

Се́й конда́къ глаго́лется три́жды. Та́же Икосъ 1-й и Конда́къ 1-й

Prayer to the Saint Nicholas

O all‐praised and all‐honored hierarch, great wonderworker, saint of Christ, Father Nicholas, man of God and faithful servant, man of love, chosen vessel, strong pillar of the Church, most brilliant lamp, star that illumines and enlightens the whole world: You are a righteous man that flourished like a palm tree planted in the courts of his Lord; dwelling in Myra you diffused the fragrance of myrrh, and you pour out the ever‐flowing myrrh of the Grace of God. By your presence, most Holy Father, the sea was sanctified when your most wonderful relics were carried from east to west to the city of Bari, to praise the name of the Lord. O most superb and marvelous wonderworker, speedy helper, fervent intercessor, good shepherd that save the rational flock from all dangers, we glorify and magnify you as the hope of all Christians, a fountain of miracles, a defender of the faithful, a most wise teacher, a feeder of the hungry, the gladness of those that mourn, clothing of the naked, healer of the sick, pilot of them that sail the sea, liberator of prisoners, nourisher and protector of widows and orphans, guardian of chastity, gentle tutor of children, support of the aged, guide of fasters, rest of those that labor, abundant riches of the poor and needy. Hear us who pray unto you and flee to your protection: Show your mediation on our behalf with the Most High, and obtain through your God‐pleasing intercessions all that is useful for the salvation of our souls and bodies; keep this holy habitation, every city and town, and every Christian country, and the people that dwell therein, from all oppression through your help; for we know, we know that "the prayer of a righteous man availeth much for good"; and after the Most‐blessed Virgin Mary, we have you as a righteous mediator with the All‐merciful God, and to your fervent intercession and protection we humbly approach. Keep us, as a watchful and good shepherd, from all enemies, pestilence, earthquake, hail, famine, flood, fire, the sword, the invasion of enemies, and in all our misfortunes and afflictions give us a helping hand and open the doors of God's compassion; for we are unworthy to look upon the height of Heaven because of the multitude of our iniquities; we are bound by the bonds of sin and have not done the will of our Creator nor kept His commandments. Wherefore, we bow the knees of our broken and humble heart to our Maker, and we ask your fatherly intercession with Him: Help us, O Servant of God, lest we perish with our sins, deliver us from all evil, and from every adverse thing, direct our minds and strengthen our hearts in the Orthodox Faith, which, through your mediation and intercession, neither wounds, nor threats, nor plague, nor the wrath of our Creator shall lessen; but grant that we may live a peaceful life here and see the good things in the land of the living, glorifying the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God glorified and worshipped in Trinity, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Akathist to the Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, the Wonderworker in English
Other hymns in English