Akathist to the Holy Righteous Noah, the Second Father of Mankind

Kontakion 1

O chosen vessel of salvation in the days of wrath, righteous Noah, who found grace before the Lord amid a corrupt generation: together with the ark of deliverance we hymn thee, and fleeing the flood of sin we cry: Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Ikos 1

An angel of the Lord appeared not, but the voice of the Most High spake directly unto thee, O Noah: “The end of all flesh is come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence.” Yet thou alone wast righteous and perfect in thy generations. Therefore we cry unto thee:

Rejoice, who walked with God while all flesh corrupted its way;

Rejoice, who found grace in the eyes of the Lord of the universe;

Rejoice, righteous one in a lawless age;

Rejoice, blameless servant amid universal defilement;

Rejoice, who hearkened to the divine warning of judgment;

Rejoice, who believed God when none other would;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 2

Seeing the whole earth filled with violence and the thoughts of men only evil continually, the Lord was grieved that He had made man. But thou, O Noah, didst not provoke the Creator to anger; wherefore, instructed by God, thou didst prepare the ark according to His word, singing: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Understanding the command of the Most High, thou didst hew the gopher wood and pitch the ark within and without. Three hundred cubits its length, fifty its breadth, thirty its height — a refuge for all breathing life. We marvel and cry:

Rejoice, obedient craftsman of the divine blueprint;

Rejoice, who toiled for one hundred years at the task of salvation;

Rejoice, who endured the mockery of the ungodly;

Rejoice, who preached repentance by word and deed;

Rejoice, who trusted in unseen rain and flood;

Rejoice, who became heir of the righteousness which is by faith;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 3

The power of the Most High overshadowed thee, O Noah, when thou didst enter the ark with thy wife, thy three sons and their wives, and two of every living thing according to the word of God. The windows of heaven were opened and the fountains of the great deep broken up, yet within the ark all was peace as thou didst sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having great faith, thou didst bring into the ark the animals clean and unclean, male and female, as God commanded. The waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth, lifting the ark high above the mountains, while every living substance was destroyed. Therefore the Church cries out:

Rejoice, faithful steward of every kind of creature;

Rejoice, who preserved the seed of all life;

Rejoice, captain of the vessel of the world’s renewal;

Rejoice, who beheld the terrible judgment yet remained unharmed;

Rejoice, sheltered by divine mercy amid universal destruction;

Rejoice, who floated safely upon the waters of wrath;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 4

A tempest of waters covered the highest mountains, and all flesh perished. Yet the Lord remembered thee, O Noah, and every living thing with thee in the ark. He stayed the rain and caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged. With thankful heart thou didst sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

After one hundred and fifty days the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat. Thou didst send forth the raven and then the dove, waiting patiently for the waters to recede. At last the dove returned not, bearing the olive leaf — sign of new life. We therefore glorify thee:

Rejoice, patient watcher over the subsiding flood;

Rejoice, who discerned the signs of God’s mercy;

Rejoice, who removed the covering of the ark at the divine command;

Rejoice, who first beheld the renewed face of the earth;

Rejoice, who stepped forth into a world cleansed by water;

Rejoice, new Adam and father of the post-flood race;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 5

The whole creation, purified by water, rejoiced at thy coming forth from the ark. Thou didst build an altar unto the Lord and offered burnt offerings of every clean beast and fowl. The Lord smelled a sweet savour and established His covenant with thee, saying: “I will not again curse the ground for man’s sake.” Therefore we sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

The Most High set His bow in the cloud as the everlasting token of the covenant between Him and every living creature. Never again would the waters become a flood to destroy all flesh. O Noah, bearer of this promise, accept our praise:

Rejoice, first priest of the renewed creation;

Rejoice, offerer of acceptable sacrifice;

Rejoice, recipient of the rainbow covenant;

Rejoice, who received the blessing to be fruitful and multiply;

Rejoice, whose seed repopulated the earth;

Rejoice, through whom the promise of salvation was preserved;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 6

The generations after the flood beheld the rainbow and remembered thy covenant, O righteous one. Though men again turned to wickedness, the line of faith continued through Shem even unto Abraham, and ultimately to Christ our Saviour, the true Ark of salvation. With the choirs of the righteous we cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Shining as a star of hope in the dark night of the antediluvian world, thou dost now illumine the Church of Christ. We who are tossed by the waves of this life flee to thy intercession:

Rejoice, model of faith and obedience;

Rejoice, example of patient endurance;

Rejoice, who saved thy house through holy fear;

Rejoice, who condemned the world by thy righteousness;

Rejoice, heir of the new earth;

Rejoice, citizen of the heavenly kingdom;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 7

Desiring to sing a worthy hymn to the God who saved thee, O Noah, thou didst live three hundred and fifty years after the flood, tilling the ground and planting a vineyard. Though thou didst stumble in the weakness of the flesh, thy righteousness before the flood remains eternally remembered. Therefore the heavenly hosts sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

The Lord granteth thee an honoured place among the holy Forefathers. Together with Enoch who was translated and Abraham the friend of God, thou dost stand before the throne. Hear us, O Noah, as we cry:

Rejoice, righteous patriarch numbered among the saints;

Rejoice, who didst please God in the age of corruption;

Rejoice, second father of mankind;

Rejoice, type of Christ the Saviour of the world;

Rejoice, whose ark prefigures Holy Church;

Rejoice, whose flood foreshadows Baptismal waters;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 8

Strange and most wonderful was thy salvation, O Noah: the same waters that destroyed the wicked lifted thee up to life. Thus the mystery of the Cross is revealed — through death to resurrection. With all the redeemed we sing to the Saviour: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All creation rejoices in thy memory, O blessed Noah. The Church on earth and the saints in heaven unite in praising the God who delivered thee. Receive from us these heartfelt praises:

Rejoice, champion of faith in the face of universal unbelief;

Rejoice, who by faith prepared an ark for the saving of his house;

Rejoice, whose obedience preserved the human race;

Rejoice, whose story warns every generation;

Rejoice, whose covenant reminds us of God’s mercy;

Rejoice, who pointest us to the final judgment and salvation;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 9

Every generation of Christians calls thee blessed, O holy Noah. As we contemplate the greatness of the flood and the greater wonder of thy deliverance, we offer this Akathist with love, singing to the Triune God who saves His elect: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Ikos 9

O righteous Noah, who didst receive the sign of the covenant and the command to replenish the earth, thou standest as a living bridge between the world destroyed by water and the world renewed by God’s mercy. As we contemplate the mystery of thy salvation, we offer thee these praises:

Rejoice, who didst see the rainbow and remember God’s faithfulness;

Rejoice, bearer of the promise that the waters of judgment shall not prevail again;

Rejoice, who didst bless thy sons and establish the nations;

Rejoice, through whom the line of the Messiah was preserved;

Rejoice, second father of the human race after Adam;

Rejoice, whose obedience prefigured the new creation in Christ;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 10

Wishing to save the race of men from utter destruction, the Lord chose thee, O Noah, as the righteous seed. Through thee the earth was renewed, and the knowledge of the true God was carried forward until the coming of the Saviour. With thankful hearts we sing to Him who worked such wonders through thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Thou art a wall and a refuge for all who call upon thee in faith, O blessed Noah. In the storms of this life and the floods of temptation, we flee to thy intercession:

Rejoice, protector of those who seek deliverance from sin;

Rejoice, guide of all who build the ark of their own souls;

Rejoice, who teachest us to hearken to the voice of God;

Rejoice, who showest the path of righteousness in a crooked generation;

Rejoice, whose life condemns indifference and unbelief;

Rejoice, whose hope points us toward the final resurrection;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 11

A hymn of victory is offered to the Creator by every creature saved through thee, O Noah. The birds, the beasts, and the family of man came forth from the ark into a cleansed world, singing of God’s power to save. With them we too cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

Thy memory shines like the olive leaf brought by the dove — a sign of peace between God and man. Therefore the Church on earth rejoices and cries aloud:

Rejoice, herald of peace after divine wrath;

Rejoice, planter of the vineyard of the new humanity;

Rejoice, who didst worship God upon the purified earth;

Rejoice, first tiller of the ground in the post-flood age;

Rejoice, whose altar became the foundation of true worship;

Rejoice, whose covenant remains visible in every rainbow;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 12

Grace and mercy were poured out upon thee, O holy Noah, and through thee upon all who would be saved. As the ark once sheltered life from destruction, so now the Church shelters souls unto eternal life. With one voice we sing to the Redeemer of all: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

O glorious Noah, thou who didst pass through the waters of judgment and emerge into the light of God’s renewed world, intercede for us who sail upon the sea of this life. Help us to enter the saving ark of the Church and to stand blameless at the final judgment:

Rejoice, type and image of Christ the true Ark;

Rejoice, whose story is read in the churches unto the end of time;

Rejoice, who dwellest now in the mansions of the righteous;

Rejoice, who prayest for the salvation of all generations;

Rejoice, companion of the holy Forefathers and Prophets;

Rejoice, citizen of the Kingdom where there is no more flood of tears;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 13

O holy and righteous Noah, great servant of God and preacher of righteousness, accept this our Akathist offered with love and faith. As thou didst find grace in the eyes of the Lord in the days of the flood, so now find grace for us sinners before the throne of the Most High. Deliver us from the flood of passions, preserve us in the ark of the Church, and grant us a place in the eternal Kingdom, where with all the saints we shall sing to the Triune God:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

(Kontakion 13 is repeated three times.)Then repeat:

Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1

Ikos 1

An angel of the Lord appeared not, but the voice of the Most High spake directly unto thee, O Noah: “The end of all flesh is come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence.” Yet thou alone wast righteous and perfect in thy generations. Therefore we cry unto thee:

Rejoice, who walked with God while all flesh corrupted its way;

Rejoice, who found grace in the eyes of the Lord of the universe;

Rejoice, righteous one in a lawless age;

Rejoice, blameless servant amid universal defilement;

Rejoice, who hearkened to the divine warning of judgment;

Rejoice, who believed God when none other would;

Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

Kontakion 1

O chosen vessel of salvation in the days of wrath, righteous Noah, who found grace before the Lord amid a corrupt generation: together with the ark of deliverance we hymn thee, and fleeing the flood of sin we cry: Rejoice, O Noah, preacher of righteousness and builder of the ark of salvation!

A Prayer to the Holy Righteous Noah

O righteous Noah, who by thy faith prepared an ark for the saving of thy house and condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith: entreat the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Ark of our salvation, that He may save us from the coming judgment, establish us in His holy covenant, and make us worthy of the new heavens and new earth wherein righteousness dwells. Amen.

A Final Prayer to the Holy Righteous Noah

O Lord God of our fathers, Who didst create the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is therein, Who in Thy righteous wrath didst bring the great Flood upon the corrupt generation of old, yet in Thy boundless mercy didst preserve a remnant of life: glory to Thee, O God, glory to Thee.O holy and righteous Noah, preacher of righteousness, second father of mankind and friend of God, who didst walk blamelessly with the Lord in an age when all flesh had corrupted its way and the earth was filled with violence; who didst find grace in the eyes of the Lord when the thoughts of men were only evil continually: hear the supplication of us sinners who call upon thy holy name.Thou, O blessed Noah, wast chosen as a new Adam for the renewed world. When the Most High commanded thee to build the ark of gopher wood, pitched within and without, thou didst obey with fear and trembling, labouring for a hundred years while the ungodly mocked and reviled thee. Yet thou didst not waver, but didst become the saviour of thy house and the preserver of every living kind. Wherefore, O righteous one, we implore thee: intercede for us who are tossed upon the stormy sea of this life.O Noah, who didst enter the ark with thy wife, thy three sons and their wives, and with the beasts and fowl according to the word of God; who didst see the windows of heaven opened and the fountains of the great deep broken up; who didst hear the roar of the waters as they prevailed exceedingly upon the earth, covering even the highest mountains: stand now with us in the floods of our passions and the rising waters of temptation. Shelter us within the ark of the Holy Church, that we perish not in the deluge of sin.O patient and God-pleasing Noah, who didst send forth the raven and the dove, waiting in faith until the waters were assuaged; who didst behold the olive leaf as a token of mercy and new life; who didst remove the covering of the ark and step forth upon the cleansed earth: grant us also the spirit of watchful patience, that we may discern the signs of God’s compassion amid the trials of this age.When thou didst build an altar unto the Lord and offer burnt sacrifices of every clean beast and fowl, the Lord smelled a sweet savour and established with thee His covenant, setting His bow in the cloud as an everlasting sign that never again would the waters destroy all flesh. O bearer of the rainbow covenant, pray that the merciful Lord may remember His promise toward us, not according to our sins but according to His great mercy, and deliver us from every righteous judgment that we deserve.O holy Forefather, type of Christ our Saviour and image of the Church: as thy ark saved the seed of life through the waters of destruction, so let the Church, the true Ark, bear us safely through the baptismal waters unto the new life in the Kingdom. As thou didst become the father of nations after the flood, so may we, through thy prayers, become heirs of the new heavens and new earth wherein righteousness dwells.O righteous Noah, who didst live three hundred and fifty years after the flood, tilling the ground and planting a vineyard, yet ever bearing the memory of both divine wrath and divine compassion: beseech the Lord for us, that He may plant the virtues in our barren hearts, deliver us from the drunkenness of passions, and make us worthy to stand before Him unashamed at the dread judgment.Through thy holy intercessions, O blessed Noah, together with the Theotokos, the holy Forefathers, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and all the saints, may Christ our God, the true Ark and Pilot of our souls, have mercy upon us, save us, and lead us into the haven of eternal rest. For He alone is the Lover of mankind, Who saved thee from the waters and Who shall save us from the flood of this world.For unto Thee belong all glory, honour, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.