Work / monument · song

Akathist Hymn

5th or early 6th century (formerly dated to the 6th or 7th) · 6th century · Also known as Ἀκάθιστος Ὕμνος, Akathistos Hymnos

The Akathist Hymn takes its name from the Greek for "unseated": while it is chanted, the congregation stands in reverence, and only the aged and the infirm sit. In Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic services, where sitting, standing and bowing follow intricate rules, standing is required of all only for the Gospel, the Six Psalms of Matins and the akathists.

Songs in history

Akathist Hymnc. 500

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Akathist Hymn. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/akathist
MLA
“Akathist Hymn.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/akathist. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Akathist Hymn.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/akathist.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Akathist Hymn’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/akathist (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻