Kontakion 1
Chosen from all the angelic hosts as the only one worthy of the revelation of God’s mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God through the All-Holy Virgin, from the heavenly realm thou didst descend into Nazareth and announced the profound news to her: “Rejoice” - do not forsake us born on earth in thine intercessions before the throne of the Holy Trinity, as we exclaim to thee: Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Ikos 1
O firey-eyed Archangel Gabriel, Herald of the most joyful tidings, we fall down and beseech thee: Instruct us and enlighten us to glorify and praise thee thus:
Rejoice, intercessor before the tri-radiant throne of God.
Rejoice, bright beacon of the rays of divinity.
Rejoice, banner of the Christian assembly, with which we sing.
Rejoice, for those on earth art praising and exulting with thee.
Rejoice, O Commander Gabriel, for thou rejoiceth with those in heaven.
Rejoice, as thou aidest us in all pious living of this temporal life.
Rejoice, for thou directest our steps on the path of salvation.
Rejoice, O Captain of the Host of the Lord, bearing a blazing scepter.
Rejoice, doer of the Master’s will.
Rejoice, one of the three visitors of our forefather Abraham.
Rejoice, foreteller of the birth of Abraham’s son Isaac from his old and feeble wife, Sarah.
Rejoice, for thou beholdest the heavens brilliantly adorned with divine luminaries.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 2
Perceiving with the eyes of faith the power and brightness of thy lightning-bearing appearance, O Archangel of God Gabriel, we, the earthly ones, art filled with love and thanksgiving to the Most-Holy Trinity and cry out with all the holy angels: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Grant us the discernment to know God’s will, O Most-Wondrous Gabriel, so that we may walk in the Lord’s commandments and endlessly sing to thee:
Rejoice, for thou didst instruct the Prophet Moses to write the divine scriptures after he fled from Pharaoh to the desert.
Rejoice, for thou didst reveal to him the story of creation of the world and of the life of Adam and his descendants.
Rejoice, for thou didst narrate to him the story of the ancient generations, the flood, and the division of languages.
Rejoice, for thou didst teach him to understand the position of planets, the universe, and the ways of God’s wisdom.
Rejoice, for thou didst interpret the knowledge about kings and kingdoms to the Prophet Daniel, fulfilling his spirit with the revelation of unknown things.
Rejoice, for thou didst point him to the time of Christ’s first coming to the world through being incarnate of the Pure Virgin.
Rejoice, for throughout the world our souls have recourse to thy deliverance and intercession.
Rejoice, vigilant guard of God’s Church and destroyer of church discord.
Rejoice, for thou didst silence the fierce storms the barbarians raise against thy servants.
Rejoice, for thou didst rescue from misfortunes and evils.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 3
Thou art mighty with divine strength, O God’s Chief Commander Gabriel, do not forsake us who pray to thee with faith in thy powerful help against sin and temptation, as we cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having thee for our steadfast helper and defender against the adverse powers, we beseech thee to be our protector in all journeys of our life so that we may cry out to thee in gratitude:
Rejoice, for thou didst appear to Righteous Anna in an orchard when she was tearfully lamenting to God about her barrenness, and thou announces to her: “Anna, thy prayer has been heard, the multitude of thy sighs is passed, and thy tears reached God. Be glad, for I bring thy glorious tidings that thou wilt conceive and give birth to the most-blessed daughter, through which all generations of the earth will be blessed and through which salvation shall be given to the world, and her name shall be Mary.”
Rejoice, for the Holy and Righteous Joachim, who was fasting in the desert, also received thy foretelling of his daughter, who was forechosen to be the Mother of the Messiah desiring to come to save mankind.
Rejoice, for God appointed thy guardian of the godly Maiden’s virginity.
Rejoice, for thou didst bring her food after she entered the Lord’s temple.
Rejoice, for thou didst stand before the throne of divine glory with all the hosts of heaven.
Rejoice, one of the seven commanders of the heavenly army.
Rejoice, O Greatly-Glorious Gabriel, along with the other commanders, Michael, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel, for thou all ceaselessly glorifeth the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 4
From the tempest of temptations and dangers deliver us, O our merciful intercessor. Do not leave us without help in the days of our earthly trials as we cry unto our Creator and God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Seeing thy boldness before God's throne, all dark spirits tremble and dare not commit villainy against those who honor thee with these words, O radiant Gabriel:
Rejoice, tamer of endless temptations.
Rejoice, for thou didst lead the souls that honor thee with love into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, for thou didst appear to Zachariah as he stood at the right hand of the altar of incense.
Rejoice, for thou didst announce the end of his wife Elizabeth’s barrenness.
Rejoice, for thou didst silence his tongue because he did not believe in the birth of John the Forerunner.
Rejoice, for Zachariah became mute as he beheld thee during censing.
Rejoice, for thou didst rebuked him for not trusting thy awe-striking announcement, O Commander Gabriel
Rejoice, for thou didst joyfully foretell John’s birth within the walls of God’s Temple.
Rejoice, for thou wast held back the hand of St. Simeon the God-Receiver when he was transcribing the holy books and wanted to correct the word for the one conceiving in her womb from “virgin” to “woman”.
Rejoice, for thou didst enlighten the doubting Elder about the truthfulness of the written words.
Rejoice, for thou didst proclaim to him that he would not see death until he meets the Lord’s Christ.
Rejoice, for thou didst reveal to us the pre-eternal truly divine mystery.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 5
O all-blessed and most holy guiding stars, Archangel Gabriel with all other Holy Guardian Angels and all Bodiless Hosts, who ceaselessly stand and praise the Most Holy Trinity and art illumined by Its everlasting splendor, we flee to thee with faith and hope. Intercede for us before the throne of the Lord Almighty, together with thy commander Gabriel, who sings to the eternal King of glory: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Beholding thee among the nine ranks of angels ablaze as a bright luminary, O Commander Gabriel, we beseech thee: enlighten us with the beams of thy glory as we sing to thee:
Rejoice, for God sent thee to Nazareth to stand before the Holy Virgin, who was betrothed to Righteous Joseph, to announce that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the Son of God would be conceived within her.
Rejoice, for in a dream thou didst assure the Elder Joseph that the Maiden conceived through the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, for thou didst announce sacred tidings of the Savior’s birth to the shepherds who kept their watch by night.
Rejoice, for thou didst sing with the multitude of heavenly armies: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men.
Rejoice, companion in the holy flight to Egypt to escape the murder by Herod.
Rejoice, protector of the Holy One on His way to Nazareth.
Rejoice, fellow traveler of the Holy Family to the Jerusalem Temple for the feast of Passover.
Rejoice, for with fear and trembling thou didst serve the twelve-year-old Jesus.
Rejoice, for with the powers of heaven thou didst appear at the Lord’s baptism.
Rejoice, for with the armies of heaven thou didst attend to the Lord in the desert when He was tempted by the enemy.
Rejoice, for thou wast sent into the Garden of Gethsemane to Christ the Savior before His voluntary passion.
Rejoice, for thou didst strengthen Christ as He was praying in the garden, for thy name, Gabriel, meaneth “God is my strength” and thou dost strengthen those who art in the midst of struggles.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 6
The whole Christian world preaches of thy glory, O all holy Archangels, Angels, and all the heavenly powers, and of thy service as intercessors before the throne of the Holy Trinity, as they ceaselessly sing, call, and proclaim, “Holy, Holy, Holy!” And we sinners on earth sing with our mortal lips: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Thou illuminateth the whole earth with thy heavenly radiance when thou didst, O All-Joyful Archangel Gabriel, fly down from heaven into blessed Nazareth and stood before the Virgin with this archangelic greeting, “Rejoice, O Blessed One, the Lord is with thee!” And gladdened by this divine message, we joyfully exclaim to thee:
Rejoice, for thou callest with the multitude of angels, “Holy is the Father Almighty, the Unoriginate Son, and the Ever-Existing Holy Spirit.”
Rejoice, for enlightened by participation in that most immaterial Light, thou art seen to be a second light.
Rejoice, for thy countenance is fiery and wondrously glorious, awe-striking to every mind.
Rejoice in splendor, O Gabriel, chief among God’s bodiless angels.
Rejoice, adornment of all who faithfully praise thee.
Rejoice, giver of quiet joy to the hearts of all that love their Lord and Creator.
Rejoice, O Brightly Beaming, Celestial Intelligence, whom our earthly tongues art unable to honor.
Rejoice, for with faith thou didst enlighten those who revere thee.
Rejoice, kind and steady guide in our earthly sojourn.
Rejoice, sure protector of all who sing and pray to the Queen of Heaven.
Rejoice, for thou art aflame with ineffable divine radiance beyond comprehension.
Rejoice, and by thy light-bearing prayers to the Master, snatch from the darkness of passions them that sing thy praise.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 7
Seeking to preserve everyone from the enemy’s attacks, the Merciful Lord sent holy angels to serve mankind. And thee, O Chief of the Angels, Godly Gabriel, art the first among our ministers, wherefore with gratefulness we cry to the Lord Almighty: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
As a good intercessor, thou desireth the salvation of all, and thou grieveth and lament over those who do not fulfill the commandments of God and thereby deprive themselves of eternal joy with all the saints in the Kingdom of Heaven. Help us on our life's path, O Mighty Defender, and save all those crying to thee:
Rejoice, the Lord’s companion and His co-sufferer in all the paths of His sufferings.
Rejoice, for with fear and trembling thou didst gaze at the crucified Lord Jesus.
Rejoice, for thou didst appear to the holy myrrh-bearers, sitting on the gravestone and announcing Christ’s rising from the grave.
Rejoice, first messenger of the great joy to the Holy Virgin Mary.
Rejoice, O thou who cried to her, “Rejoice O Pure Virgin, for thy Son has risen from His three days in the tomb.”
Rejoice, for, being a herald of the conception of the Son of God,
Rejoice, thou also didst become the herald of His Resurrection.
Rejoice, O blessed and radiant one.
Rejoice, most joyful of all the angels of God.
Rejoice, bringer of the joy of all joys to the world.
Rejoice, for with ineffable gladness holy people extol thee with holy words.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 8
A strange and awesome miracle is taking place today through the voice of the Archangel. God has come to earth and became incarnate of the Virgin for the salvation of all, and to Him we cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Thy whole appearance is splendid and flaming and thy singing is awe-striking, O Holy Archangel Gabriel. As a close servant of the Holy Trinity and keeper of the mystery of the pre-eternal Council, thou didst become a guardian to the Holy Virgin, serving her when the Holy Spirit came upon her and thou wast the first to worship God the Savior, visible to thee in her womb. Wherefore we offer thee these praises:
Rejoice, for the glorious splendor of thy temple enkindles the souls of the faithful.
Rejoice, for thou ignitest fervent prayer to the Lord in the hearts of all who seek to pray in God’s temple.
Rejoice, for thou art illuminated as an angelic partaker of the First Light.
Rejoice, for thou art truly seen as the second light.
Rejoice, for thou always enlightenest those who sing to thee.
Rejoice, for thou destroyest wicked councils.
Rejoice, for thou affirmest the Orthodox faith.
Rejoice, for thou didst pacify contentions in the Church.
Rejoice, for thou didst stop the ragings of Hagar’s descendants against thy flock and saved all thy faithful people.
Rejoice, O Radiant Gabriel, for the Word, Whose coming in flesh thou didst announced, had thou didst hasten before to guard His sacred palace.
Rejoice, thou proclaimeth the great joy to us, O Archangel.
Rejoice, for thou didst offer the Virgin the kind of praise that was incomprehensible to the mind.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 9
All monks and Orthodox Christians that art deemed worthy to bear thy glorious name, rejoice with awe in having such a namesake and intercessor before the throne of the Almighty as thee, O Archangel of God, and thou ceaselessly singeth to Him the thrice-holy hymn: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The orator's tongue is unable to describe thy heavenly splendor, O Holy Archangel Gabriel, for thou exceedeth all other ranks in thy honor and glory and thou standeth before the Throne of God, imploring His goodness and mercy for all who honor and call on thee:
Rejoice, commander of the fiery servants.
Rejoice, servant of grace, who stands before the fearsome throne.
Rejoice, chief of the angels, guide and intercessor for men.
Rejoice, for thou blesseth those who praise thee with faith.
Rejoice, for thou art brimming with divine oracles.
Rejoice, for thou uplifteth my mind with thy prayers.
Rejoice, proclaimer of the inexpressible joy that came into the world.
Rejoice, for those who love and praise thee art rescued from afflictions and the serpent’s harm.
Rejoice, for thou art revealed as the second immaterial, illuminating light.
Rejoice, for thou always enlighteneth those who art material—those of the human race, who praise thee.
Rejoice, for we honor thee for all eternity.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the human race, the Pre-Eternal Council of the Holy Trinity chose thee, O Archangel Gabriel, to deliver this hidden mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, and thee, as a faithful minister of God’s providence, ever sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a fortress to all that flee to thine intercession and help, O Captain of God’s armies and our protector from the visible and invisible enemies that seek to destroy us at every step and to lead us to eternal perdition. All whom thee guard with the wings of thine immaterial glory and with thy supplications before the Lord with gratitude cry out to thee:
Rejoice, for thou wast worthy of bringing the greatest news.
Rejoice, O blazing heavenly messenger who bestoweth quiet joy into the hearts of all who love their Lord and Creator.
Rejoice, for thou shineth with light that astonishes every mind.
Rejoice, adornment of all who sing to thee.
Rejoice, O greatest of the angels, who revealed to us the profound mystery.
Rejoice, for after the Lord’s ascension, thou promiseth His disciples His second coming into the world. Rejoice, for they honored thee as He was taken up to the Divine Heights.
Rejoice, for thou deliverest us from the storm of misfortunes and sorrows.
Rejoice, for the sacred mystery of the ineffable birth by the Holy Virgin was entrusted to thee first, O Gabriel.
Rejoice, for the faithful revere thee with joy.
Rejoice, for the Holy Church commemorates thy numerous appearances in the Old and New Testaments and thine unceasing intercession before God.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 11
Ceaselessly, thou raiseth holy songs to the Most Holy Trinity, O Holy Archangel Gabriel, with all the heavenly intelligences, and we glorify thee for the multitude of thy mercies to the Christian race with a song of praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Illuminated by the Light of the Holy Trinity, as an unsetting sun thou shineth in the glory of the unapproachable light. Illuminate us with the rays of thy divine glory, so that we may sing to thee:
Rejoice, for thou art arrayed in a divine garment that glows with sublime glory brighter than the sun.
Rejoice, for we joyfully praise thy fiery nature with our temporal lips.
Rejoice, O Holy Gabriel, who by thine intercession snatch us from the fire that burns perpetually.
Rejoice, O jubilant Commander of the Heavenly King’s ministers.
Rejoice, for on the Mount of Olives thou didst appear to the Most Pure Theotokos as she was praying fervently, to announce to her that soon she would be honorably transported from earth to heaven.
Rejoice, for thou gavest the Mother of God a heavenly, radiant palm branch, and it was carried by the Apostle John at the front of her bier.
Rejoice, for at her honorable Dormition, as she was carried by the holy Apostles to burial in Gethsemane, thou didst punished the Jew Jephonias for his brazen act by severing his hands.
Rejoice, thou who, with all the heavenly powers, surrounded the holy Apostles when the Mother of God didst appear to them after her Dormition.
Rejoice, for thou didst free the Apostle Peter from prison chains and iron fetters.
Rejoice, for thou didst bring the Apostle Peter out of the dungeon and, after passing one street, thou didst depart from him.
Rejoice, speedy aid and intercessor for all faithful Christians.
Rejoice, deliverer from troubles for all who with love honor thee.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 12
Since thou didst receive abundant grace from the Lord, beseech Him to grant us grace also, accept our prayers as our offering, and drive away from our souls all sinful thoughts and all slander of the enemy, so that with a pure heart we may be worthy to sing a song of praise to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing of thy heavenly service to the Holy Trinity, O holy protector and fervent intercessor with God, all thy faithful servants praise thee. Do not forsake us here in our earthly sojourn and be our mighty advocate on the Day of the Dread Judgment of God, as we sing to thee.
Rejoice, for by thy prayers, those who honor thee shall receive the forgiveness of their sins.
Rejoice, for the people of God art inspired to fervor when they flee to thine intercession and help.
Rejoice, invisible guardian of the sick and the helpless. Rejoice, good comforter of orphans and the oppressed.
Rejoice, O light-bearing Gabriel, with thy fervent petitions, plead for a blessed Christian ending to our lives and be our ardent heavenly supplicant.
Rejoice, and at the hour of our departure, appear to us bright and joyful, delivering our souls from evil demons and protecting us.
Rejoice, and reignite the fading flame of our good deeds through thine all-powerful entreaties before the Lord.
Rejoice, and beseech the Righteous Judge to have mercy on our souls and to save us on the day of the Last Judgment.
Rejoice, O mighty mediator for our attainment of the Kingdom of Heaven in the endless blissful joy of eternal repose.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 13
O light-bearing, all-joyful Archangel Gabriel, accept from us this grateful praise and do not forsake us who flee to thy mercy. Be our helper and powerful intercessor throughout our life and, at our death, save from the eternal torment those who ceaselessly sing: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read thrice, then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are repeated below
Ikos 1
O firey-eyed Archangel Gabriel, Herald of the most joyful tidings, we fall down and beseech thee: Instruct us and enlighten us to glorify and praise thee thus:
Rejoice, intercessor before the tri-radiant throne of God.
Rejoice, bright beacon of the rays of divinity.
Rejoice, banner of the Christian assembly, with which we sing.
Rejoice, for those on earth art praising and exulting with thee.
Rejoice, O Commander Gabriel, for thou rejoiceth with those in heaven.
Rejoice, as thou aidest us in all pious living of this temporal life.
Rejoice, for thou directest our steps on the path of salvation.
Rejoice, O Captain of the Host of the Lord, bearing a blazing scepter.
Rejoice, doer of the Master’s will.
Rejoice, one of the three visitors of our forefather Abraham.
Rejoice, foreteller of the birth of Abraham’s son Isaac from his old and feeble wife, Sarah.
Rejoice, for thou beholdest the heavens brilliantly adorned with divine luminaries.
Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Kontakion 1
Chosen from all the angelic hosts as the only one worthy of the revelation of God’s mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God through the All-Holy Virgin, from the heavenly realm thou didst descend into Nazareth and announced the profound news to her: “Rejoice” - do not forsake us born on earth in thine intercessions before the throne of the Holy Trinity, as we exclaim to thee: Rejoice, O Great Archangel Gabriel, who brought us great joy from heaven.
Prayer to Archangel Gabriel
O Holy Archangel of God Gabriel! Constant intercessor before the throne of the Most High, joyful herald of the good news and tireless ambassador for our souls! Graciously accept from us, unworthy sinners, this small praise and thanksgiving. Lift our prayers up and offer them as incense at the heavenly altar. Illuminate our minds with the light of the Orthodox faith, kindle our hearts with love for Christ our Savior, direct and strengthen our desires on the saving path of the Gospel commandments. May we give glory to God by living in peace and piety, to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, and to be found worthy of the grace of Christ our God, through the intercessions of His Most Pure Mother and through thy powerful prayers. Together with thee, all the bodiless heavenly powers, and with all the saints, grant us to glorify the One God in the Trinity: the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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