{"product_id":"paraklesis-and-akathists-for-the-days-of-the-week","title":"Paraklesis and Akathists for the Days of the Week","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eParaklesis and Akathists for the Days of the Week\u003c\/h5\u003e\nParaklesis and Akathists are liturgical services appointed by the Church and especially loved by Orthodox Christians. Long ago, they passed from public worship into private devotion as well.\n\nThe \u003cstrong\u003eParaklesis\u003c\/strong\u003e appears to have emerged in the thirteenth century through the devotion of Emperor Theodore II Laskaris (1254–1258), as an office centred on the chanting of a hymnographic Canon enriched with elements from Matins. The emperor himself composed the entire \u003cem\u003eGreat Paraklesis to the Mother of God\u003c\/em\u003e. Following its model, the \u003cem\u003eSmall Paraklesis\u003c\/em\u003e, also called the \u003cem\u003eFirst Paraklesis\u003c\/em\u003e, was assembled in Constantinople from an older Canon by Saint Theophanes of Nicaea. Other \u003cem\u003eParaklesis services\u003c\/em\u003e were later created on this pattern, seeking the help of the Persons of the Holy Trinity or the saints.\n\nThe \u003cstrong\u003eAkathists\u003c\/strong\u003e follow the renowned \u003cem\u003eAkathist to the Annunciation\u003c\/em\u003e, solemnly chanted in churches at Matins on the Saturday of the fifth week of Great Lent, served on Friday evening. The word \u003cem\u003eakathist\u003c\/em\u003e (\u003cem\u003ea+kathistos, “not seated”\u003c\/em\u003e) recalls its introduction into worship after the miraculous victory over the Avars and Persians who besieged Constantinople on 7 August 626, a victory attributed to the miraculous intervention of the Mother of God. In gratitude, the citizens of the Byzantine capital sang this hymn all night while \u003cem\u003estanding\u003c\/em\u003e in the Church of the Mother of God at Blachernae. Rich in poetic beauty and theological and spiritual depth, the hymn was loved from the beginning by clergy and faithful, who included it in their daily rule of prayer. To this day, monks on Holy Mount Athos and in many other monasteries recite the akathist every day. Inspired hymnographers began composing Akathists in honour of many saints from the fourteenth century onwards.\n\nBecause \u003cstrong\u003eParaklesis are prayers of supplication, while Akathists are prayers of praise and thanksgiving\u003c\/strong\u003e, reading both forms a complete prayer in content. For this reason, many spiritual fathers recommend a daily Akathist and Paraklesis. \u003cem\u003eThe need therefore arose for a book meeting the desire of Orthodox Christians to follow a complete and varied daily prayer rule that also reflects the Church's liturgical rhythm and the character of each day of the week.\u003c\/em\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublishing House of the Biblical and Orthodox Mission Institute\u003c\/strong\u003e","brand":"SACRAL Orthodox","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54364173893971,"sku":"9789736166020","price":85.0,"currency_code":"RON","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1071\/4634\/6835\/files\/SACRAL.RO-8.png?v=1784626091","url":"https:\/\/sacralorthodox.com\/products\/paraklesis-and-akathists-for-the-days-of-the-week","provider":"SACRAL Orthodox","version":"1.0","type":"link"}