Akathist to St Gerasimos the New of Kefalonia

Saint Gerasimos was a priest-monk and ascetic who laboured in the 16th century around the Peloponnese in Greece. Settling on Kefalonia, the saint became worthy of many gifts from God, becoming famous for the bodily and spiritual healings he performed, and especially for the power to drive away unclean spirits. Saint Gerasimos, knowing in advance the end of his earthly life, passed away to the Lord on the 15/28 of August, 1579. As this was the feast of the Dormition, his feast day would later be remembered a day later, on the 16/29 of August. After his death, the body was twice buried and exhumed intact, which led to the official canonization by the Church. On the 20th of October (the 2nd of November using today’s calendar), 1581, once his tomb was opened, his holy relics and vestments were whole, and the tomb emitted a pleasing fragrance. The relics of Saint Gerasimus are found in a glass and silver reliquary in the monastery, being placed next to the saint's empty tomb.

St Gerasimos' primary feast day is the 2nd November, at the uncovering of his relics, but is also remembered on the 29th August.

Below is the Saint's Akathist hymn for home use. St Gerasimos' prayers are known to be effective against physical illnesses but in particular as a defence against demonic attack. Outside of Kefalonia, St Gerasimos has a growing following in Romania.

Akathist to St Gerasimos the New of Kefalonia.pdf

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Akathist to Saint Gerasimos the New (Tone IV)

Troparion (Tone 1)

Let us the faithful praise the divine Gerasimos, / who is the protector of the Orthodox, and an angel in the body, and a newly appeared God-bearing wonderworker; / for he has worthily received from God the unfailing grace of healing; / he restores the sick, and heals those possessed by demons; / therefore, he pours forth healings upon those who honour him.

TONE 4

Kontaktion 1: As a deliverer and fervent protector, O glorious one, you ever hasten to help those in dangers, therefore we praise you in hymns, O God-bearer Gerasimos, and we praise you faithfully and ascribe you as the most-compassionate protector of your island, as we cry out: 

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos!

Ikos 1: You were known to be an Angel of godly-mind in the world, O Gerasimos, as you lived like the Bodiless Angels, and your body has remained incorrupt, and pours forth heavenly fragrance for those who behold you, and compels them to cry out these things:

Rejoice, the glory of priests,

Rejoice, the boast of monastics.

Rejoice, the fellow-dweller with the Holy Angels,

Rejoice, the all-joyous home of the Trinity.

Rejoice, height of divine knowledge unsearchable by many.

Rejoice, depth of humility that cannot be perceived by mortals.

Rejoice, for you were seen as the pinnacle of theoria,

Rejoice, for you appear to be a guide in praxis.

Rejoice, the unassailable pillar of Kefalonia,

Rejoice, the closest friend of the Lord.

Rejoice, lamp-lighter of reverent truth,

Rejoice, seal of noetic work.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontaktion 2: The famed island of Kefalonia, beholding the wonder of your sacred Relic, with fervour praises the ineffable grace and healing granted by you, O Gerasimos, crying out to God the hymn: Alleluia.

Ikos 2: Bearing godly knowledge, O pinnacle of Venerable Saints, you hastened towards the Promised Land, and having remained in the desert fasting for forty days, you received the grace to foresee the future and you hear from us:

Rejoice, you who cast away demons through your body,

Rejoice, you who bear zeal in your heart.

Rejoice, the pinnacle of sacred Venerable Saints,

Rejoice, the radiance of holy pure ones.

Rejoice, you who dwell with the choirs of the Angels,

Rejoice, you who partake of the food of Paradise.

Rejoice, you who are alive in your soul while dead in body,

Rejoice, you who dwell in the mansions of heaven.

Rejoice, you who heal the suffering of haemorrhage,

Rejoice, you who lifted up the woman from the well.

Rejoice, guide and protector of those upon the sea,

Rejoice, saviour and deliverer of those in danger.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontaktion 3: Power from heaven was granted to you, O thrice-blessed Gerasimos, for you remained fasting with only a zucchini, and foreseeing through the Spirit, not seeking respite of the body, while saying: Alleluia.

Ikos 3: Having you as its great patron and light, Kefalonia greatly boasts in you, and rejoicing in spirit, she cries out to you, chanting things such as these:

Rejoice, unending spring of wonders,

Rejoice, unsleeping protector of true dogmas.

Rejoice, the speedy consolation of those mourning,

Rejoice, the ready lifting up of the deluded.

Rejoice, light of discernment that shines clearly,

Rejoice, star of clairvoyance that radiates brightly.

Rejoice, unemptying source of miracles,

Rejoice, unhealable wound to the demons.

Rejoice, the wise advisor of chastity,

Rejoice, the speedy deposer of intemperance.

Rejoice, divine vessel of Christ,

Rejoice the great surrounding wall of the faithful.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontakion 4: Fleeing from the insanity of the world, O blessed one of God, you lived in stillness on Mount Omalon, and you worked a multitude of wonders, saving and leading your Nuns towards the calm waters of the Kingdom, as they cry out: Alleluia.

Ikos 4: The ends of the earth have heard of your strange wonders, O Gerasimos, which you work daily, and those who are sick hasten to the sacred spring of your wonders, which we honour, saying:

Rejoice, you who traded corruptible things for those of heaven,

Rejoice, you who destroyed the ranks of the demons.

Rejoice, you who gather with the pastures of the Angels,

Rejoice, you who dance together with the Saints unto the ages.

Rejoice, the most-fervent fellow-servant of the wise Angels,

Rejoice, the most-wise guide of monastics.

Rejoice, the sacred adornment of the Venerable,

Rejoice, the radiant rejoicing of the Fathers.

Rejoice, the firm protector from passions,

Rejoice, you who bear the trophy of God.

Rejoice, you who surpassed the knowledge of the wise,

Rejoice, you who enlighten the minds of the faithful.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontakion 5: Perceiving Gerasimos to be a God-bearer, and beloved by the youth, many hasten in faith to be delivered from the demons, and having received their deliverance, they cry out to the saviour with godly fervour: Alleluia.

Ikos 5: Your life shows us the heavenly road, O Gerasimos, and boast of the Venerable, through uplifted asceticism and godly struggle, which we are called to follow, as we cry out these things with fervour:

Rejoice, standard of self-control,

Rejoice, lamp of piety.

Rejoice, protector and helper of Kefalonia,

Rejoice, new light of the whole Church.

Rejoice, spiritual statue of asceticism,

Rejoice, imprint of the monastic life.

Rejoice, high mountain of true virginity,

Rejoice, the wise consolation of holiness.

Rejoice, canon of fasting equal-to-the-Angels,

Rejoice, icon of purity granted by God.

Rejoice, way of life of truth,

Rejoice, bearer of wise providence in mind.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontakion 6: Counting worldly passions and the flesh as nothing, O blessed Gerasimos, you had gourds for your food and water to drink, and a poor garment, while you thought only of your soul, saying: Alleluia.

Ikos 6: You nurtured your flock with your words and your life, leading them towards the life of green pasture, and watering them, as a loving and caring Father, strengthening them paradoxically with your wonders, and healing those who are suffering terribly, who therefore cry out:

Rejoice, radiant vessel of the Trinity,

Rejoice, joyous treasure of purity.

Rejoice, you who worked wonders before your repose,

Rejoice, who after your repose work awesome deeds.

Rejoice, you who were laid in the grave as one dead,

Rejoice, you who proceed throughout the earth as one alive.

Rejoice, you who are hymned by the multitudes of Kefalonians,

Rejoice, you who are praised by the ranks of Monastics.

Rejoice, lamp-lighter among the Venerable,

Rejoice, lightning of godly graces.

Rejoice, you who received the unfading crown,

Rejoice, you who inherited the eternal mansion.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontakion 7: O thrice-blessed One, you marched from this passing life toward the life to come, towards the heavenly mansions, and you bent your knee, fervently praying that your spirit might be delivered to the hand of God, as those who beheld you were astonished, crying out: Alleluia.

Ikos 7: A new song is offered to you loudly, O Gerasimos, as we cry out of your great feats that you work for the sick, healing demoniacs, and granting all requests, and we all therefore cry out in reverence:

Rejoice, you who trampled upon worldly ideas,

Rejoice, you who deliver from the bitter things of life,

Rejoice, you whose body was shown to be a spring of wonders,

Rejoice, you whose soul has joined with the Angels.

Rejoice, for you bore Christ your God in your mind,

Rejoice, for you desired the joys of Paradise.

Rejoice, you who studied the uplifted way to heaven,

Rejoice, you who dwell in the pure mansions on high.

Rejoice, for you ever have the Angels as your compatriots,

Rejoice, for you have inherited the Saints as your friends.

Rejoice, through whom light has shined upon the faithful,

Rejoice, through whom the faithless are inflamed.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontakion 8: We behold a strange wonder, as your long-dead body appears alive in your reliquary, and through this the uplifted God has given to those upon the earth the power to cast out the demons, and to God we cry out: Alleluia.

Ikos 8: While being wholly in the flesh below, your soul has not left the things above, O Gerasimos. You work wonders that astonish every mind and ear, and therefore we are astonished and cry out things like this:

Rejoice, he who is full of the wisdom of God,

Rejoice, mystic of His providence,

Rejoice, orator taught by God, instructing in Christ,

Rejoice, spring of healings welling up for the faithful.

Rejoice, you who lived in purity before your death,

Rejoice, you who after your repose proceeded towards God.

Rejoice, you in whom the light of God has been founded,

Rejoice, you in whom His grace has come to dwell.

Rejoice, oasis for the pious Orthodox,

Rejoice, sharp sword against the faithless.

Rejoice, you who drive away the madness of the demons,

Rejoice, you who shine forth with the rays of wonders.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontakion 9: You have received every grace from heaven, O thrice-blessed Gerasimos, working wondrous things and living well in asceticism like the bodiless ones, overcoming the laws of nature while your body has remained incorrupt, healing those who cry out: Alleluia.

Ikos 9: You have been shown to be a mighty protector of the Church of Christ, O blessed Gerasimos, and a great defender of the faithful people, for they know of the many dangers that they have been delivered from and ever take refuge in you, and are moved to cry out to you:

Rejoice, protecting wall of the pious faithful,

Rejoice, pride of the nations bearing the name of Christ.

Rejoice, firm strength of monastics,

Rejoice, radiant boast of priests.

Rejoice, you who grant every grace to those who hymn you,

Rejoice, you who grant every healing to the faithful.

Rejoice, for you are a godly pillar of graces,

Rejoice, destroyer of the demons through divine power.

Rejoice, pure dwelling-place of God,

Rejoice, chaste chosen one of Christ.

Rejoice, fragrance of Christ,

Rejoice, delectable nourishment of the faithful.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos. 

Kontakion 10: Save all of those who honour your memory with fervour, and who honour your divine icon, and deliver them from every danger and distress, and save those who call upon you, crying out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 10: You have become a protecting wall for Kefalonia, O Father, and for all those who take refuge in you, therefore deliver from famine and earthquake, and hasten to everyone in need, while they cry out to you these things in thanksgiving:

Rejoice, eternal nectar of mortals,

Rejoice, flower-bearing springtime of men.

Rejoice, the ready consolation of those saddened,

Rejoice, the speedy lifting up of those deluded.

Rejoice, you who entreat towards the good disposition of God,

Rejoice, the compassionate deliverer from depression.

Rejoice, health for those ailing among the faithful,

Rejoice, purity for those amidst corruption.

Rejoice, great saviour of those cast down,

Rejoice, divine entreaty for sinners.

Rejoice, you who grant to us from the sea of your graces,

Rejoice, for you show the mercy of your wonders to all.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontakion 11: We all offer hymns, O blessed one, at the treasure of your Relic, O God-bearer Gerasimos, offering tears with our odes in response to the graces which you have granted to us the faithful, and who cry along with you: Alleluia.

Ikos 11: The treasure of your sacred Relic has been shown to be light-bearing, O Father Gerasimos, and it shines with grace like rays of light upon those who approach, granting joy and health that you speedily send forth, as we who embrace them cry out these things: 

Rejoice, you who called forth hymnographers at your burial,

Rejoice, you who put to death those who speak false things through your might.

Rejoice, for you grant us grace from the sea of your graces,

Rejoice, for you grant to all the myrrh of your mercy.

Rejoice, the sure consolation of those who take refuge in you,

Rejoice, the salvation of those who approach you in soul.

Rejoice, you who drive out the dangers of the demons from your island,

Rejoice, you who trample upon their evil assaults.

Rejoice, you who depose the boldness of barbarians,

Rejoice, you who put to naught the darkness of the demons.

Rejoice, tower that reaches the heights of heaven,

Rejoice, rampart against the battle of the enemies.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontakion 12: Bearing grace from above, O Gerasimos, you drive out every assault of the enemies, and your preserved your island from famine, hastening and walking upon the sea to those who call upon you, delivering everyone from dangers who cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12: As we chant this hymn to you, O ever-memorable Father, we encircle your holy reliquary, which pours forth the grace of wonders for those who approach it with faith, and you therefore protect those who cry out to you:

Rejoice, you who extended your soul towards God,

Rejoice, who drove away the assaults of the flesh.

Rejoice, you who grant to those present as ones without any help,

Rejoice, you who care for the abiding things to come.

Rejoice, you who deliver from famine and drought,

Rejoice, you who deliver many from hunger.

Rejoice, unsleeping shepherd of the Monastery of Omalon,

Rejoice, unmercenary and protector of many.

Rejoice, for you pour forth myrrh from your Relic freely,

Rejoice, for your Church pours forth a multitude of graces.

Rejoice, through whom the sick are healed,

Rejoice, through whom the passions are cast out.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontakion 13 (said 3 times): 

O thrice-joyous Father, the protector of your island and of the unassailable intercessor for all, receive these proper odes from us, your entreators, and deliver from eternal hell, through your intercessions to God, those who cry out to you: Alleluia.

Then the first ikos and first troparion are repeated:

Ikos 1: You were known to be an Angel of godly-mind in the world, O Gerasimos, as you lived like the Bodiless Angels, and your body has remained incorrupt, and pours forth heavenly fragrance for those who behold you, and compels them to cry out these things:

Rejoice, the glory of priests,

Rejoice, the boast of monastics.

Rejoice, the fellow-dweller with the Holy Angels,

Rejoice, the all-joyous home of the Trinity.

Rejoice, height of divine knowledge unsearchable by many.

Rejoice, depth of humility that cannot be perceived by mortals.

Rejoice, for you were seen as the pinnacle of theoria,

Rejoice, for you appear to be a guide in praxis.

Rejoice, the unassailable pillar of Kefalonia,

Rejoice, the closest friend of the Lord.

Rejoice, lamp-lighter of reverent truth,

Rejoice, seal of noetic work.

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

Kontaktion 1: As a deliverer and fervent protector, O glorious one, you ever hasten to help those in dangers, therefore we praise you in hymns, O God-bearer Gerasimos, and we praise you faithfully and ascribe you as the most-compassionate protector of your island, as we cry out: 

Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos!

Prayer to St Gerasimos 

Rejoice, partaker of the Saints, protector and helper of Kefalonia. Rejoice, new candlestick of the Church, blessed Gerasimos, co-dweller with the angels.

Disregarding your noble heritage, from childhood you followed Christ with zeal and by your angelic life, shining, you enlighten us, Father Gerasimos.

Rejoice, river of healings, who with the streams of gifts wash away heavy passions. Rejoice, you who grant health to the sick, through spiritual strength, Gerasimos, God-bearer.

Having cast off the heavy burden of matter, you bore fruit with the gift of the immaterial. Therefore, your relics illuminate all the ends of the world, by the grace of incorruption, O venerable Gerasimos.

Divine honour of the Orthodox and a sharp two-edged sword against heretics, you have shown yourself in these latter days, O God-bearer, wonderfully elevating the conscience of the faithful.

Vouchsafe and keep from the harm of demons, and their intrigues, all those who fervently seek your help, most blessed Gerasimos, our guardian.

Holy Gerasimos, together with the Most Holy Mother of God, the bodiless hosts, the Holy Forerunner and Baptist John, the Holy Apostles and all the Saints, pray for our salvation. Amen.

Life of St Gerasimos 

Saint Gerasimos of Kefalonia (c. 1500 - 1579) has two days of celebration during the church year: the 29th of August (16th August on the old calendar) and the 2nd November (20th October). 

St Gerasimos was born at the turn of the 16th century in the village of Trikkala in the Peloponnese. He had noble lineage, being the direct descendant of Loukas Notaras, the last prime minister of the Byzantine Empire. As a young man he was a monk on the island of Zakyntos, later receiving the Great Schema on Mount Athos. He went to Jerusalem where he stayed for 12 years. During this time he was ordained deacon and priest by Patriarch Herman. He then spent some time in Crete and Zakyntos, and in 1555 he arrived in Kefalonia (an island in the Ionian Sea). 

He spent the first five years in a cave in the Lassi region. In 1560, Venerable Gerasimos moved to Omala, a central region of Kefalonia, where he restored an old church dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God and founded a monastery of nuns that he called "The New Jerusalem". The monastery he founded had an important social role, taking care of the poor. In a short time, it became an important charity centre. 

Saint Gerasimos was worthy of many gifts from God, becoming famous for the bodily and spiritual healings he performed, and especially for the power to drive away unclean spirits. Saint Gerasimos, knowing in advance the end of his earthly life, passed away to the Lord on the 15/28 of August, 1579. As this was the feast of the Dormition, his feast day would later be remembered a day later, on the 16/29. After his death, the body was twice buried and exhumed intact, which led to the official canonization by the Church. On the 20th of October (the 2nd of November using today’s calendar), 1581, once his tomb was opened, his holy relics and vestments were whole, and the tomb emitted a pleasing fragrance. The relics of Saint Gerasimus are found in a glass and silver reliquary in the monastery, being placed next to the saint's empty tomb.

Through the prayers of Venerable Gerasimos, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!