Canticle of the Holy Spirit

Translator’s Note: This is an official prayer from the one of official websites of the Metropolia of Moldova and Bucovina, thus an official website of the Romanian Patriarchate.

You can see the original source on the original website of the Romanian Metropolia of Moldova and Bucovina here: https://doxologia.ro/cantarea-duhului

Editor’s note: The translator of this akathist has asked me to publish his work below. Although he seeks neither praise or compensation, he asks that if you are blessed by this work consider praying for his repentance and that of his grandfather. Do consider keeping Maxim and his family in your prayers.

First Cry

You alone are the One Who, in unspeakable sorrow, with holy lamentation, seek and call upon the deepest part of our inner being. You, Who restore the inheritance of the fallen, granting him the grace of a broken heart, and You, Most Holy One, are the One who lives in us, together with us, the holy and sweet sorrow of weeping for sin and love for the Lord. For this reason, we humbly conceal in all things, renewed by You, an eternal: Alleluia!

You are the One who shares with us, who are made of clay, in understanding and knowledge, the Father and the Son. You are also the One through whom we bring ourselves and one another before the Face of God. Only through You can we live, Most Holy Spirit, entrusting ourselves to You, we confess:

Holy are You.

Holy are You, Giver of Life;

Holy are You, the deepest sigh;

Holy are You, prayer itself;

Holy are You, the One hidden in all things revealed;

Holy are You, the Adoption from Above;

Holy are You, the music that the human ear cannot hear;

Holy are You, the Light of those in darkness;

Holy are You, Most Holy Spirit, You who in Mystery bring all things into being!

Second Cry

Let us glorify the Holy Spirit, the One hidden in all creation, the One hidden in the rustling of the wind, in the breeze or in the storm, the One in the fragrance of flowers, in the trill of birds and in the silence of the air, let us glorify Him, confessing: Alleluia!

Only You, Most Holy Spirit, can murmur with such clear waters and whisper so softly. Only You alone can wander with such longing throughout the earth and all the air, all lives and all hearts. You shake the depths and You establish Peace, You stir the forests and You calm them. O, You and only You bring us down the Heavens, embracing us in You, for:

Holy are You, Name without a name!

Holy are You, deep humility;

Holy are You, holy comfort;

Holy are You, blessed suffering;

Holy are You, inner and sweet sigh;

Holy are You, Holiness Itself;

Holy are You, unfathomable fragrance;

Holy are You, holy silence;

Holy are You, Most Holy Spirit, You who in Mystery bestow existence on everything!

Third Cry

Through You, all of us who partake of the Holy and Divine Body and Blood become one. Through You, we partake of one another and together, of the perfect Unity, finding in us the deepness of the soul: Alleluia!

You are the Seal that keeps the mysteries of Grace hidden, so that when the time is fulfilled, You may draw near those who are scattered in ignorance and humbly share Yourself with those who are called. You are the Silence that seals the divine Mysteries and the Silence that hides all the wisdom of the Mother of God. You also reveal them to us in a steadfast inner settlement, because only in Your inspiration can we truly say:

Holy are You, Who transforms the heart of the one who prays, like the Burning Bush;

Holy are You, Who Yourself transforms all things in the Holy Place;

Holy are You, Who heals spiritual hearts through bodily illnesses;

Holy are You, through Whom the mind is opened above reason;

Holy are You, the comprehension of all ages;

Holy are You, Holiness Itself, Who sees all things;

Holy are You, the outpouring of Life into the bowels of humanity;

Holy are You, and You cannot rest from mourning for those who have fallen asleep;

Holy are You, Most Holy Spirit, You who in Mystery bring all things into being!

Fourth Cry

We are sons of slaves and slaves by nature. We know no other way than to be servants, with the eyes and heart of slaves. But You, Divine Spirit, tasting our pain, in the likeness of the Father, adopt us again, so that, renewed, we may sincerely say: Alleluia!

In the secret of our souls and inner thoughts, you are close to those who seek you and thirst for you, Holy Spirit, you who alone hold the world in being and place all men before the Lord forever. For this reason, with broken hearts and a thirst for Life, we sing to you alone:

Holy are You, Who encompasses us everywhere;

Holy are You, Who envelops us and secretly embraces us;

Holy are You, standing quietly beside every soul;

Holy are You, Who hears every whisper of the heart;

Holy are You, and only You can fully understand the mystery of the person;

Holy are You, and in You we pour out the tears from our depths;

Holy are You, the roar of silence;

Holy are You, the often unspoken sobbing we carry in our hearts;

Holy are You, Most Holy Spirit, You who in Mystery bring all things into being!

Fifth Cry

He who, in silence and waiting, bears the suffering of all Adam, knows You, Holy Spirit. He who carries within himself all kinds of pains and wounds, both physical and spiritual, has You as his comforter and fellow sufferer. In You we suffer, Holy Spirit, for the life of the world. In You we hope, and for Your eternal victory we allow ourselves to be ground into dust, sighing within ourselves the word: Alleluia!

How many souls who have known You have not fully received You to be consumed for their neighbor in Your sweet Love? How many of those who have sought the sweet wounding of the heart have not made themselves a burning flame to be the light of the world, according to the Father’s desire? How happy is he who becomes a humble candle, like wax willing to melt under the burning of Your Love within us! For this reason, we can only humbly cry out from the depths of our hearts:

Holy are You, Holy Spirit, for the love You have poured out throughout the ages;

Holy are You, Who makes us slaves of Divine Love;

Holy are You, for You love us unspeakably through those who suffer for our salvation;

Holy are You, Who inspires us with love and heartrending mercy for those who have fallen asleep;

Holy are You, Divine Nature, Who breathes like a zephyr fragrance into human nature:

Holy are You, Most Holy Spirit, Who perfumes the inner air of all creation;

Holy art Thou, Holy Spirit, for Thou hast always cared for the salvation of every newly conceived soul;

Holy art Thou, Holy Silence!

Holy art Thou, Most Holy Spirit, Thou Who in Mystery bringest into being all things!

Sixth Cry

How can we show gratitude to those who, driven by Your inspiration, have labored with prayers and struggles for the salvation of all? For they too are testimony to Your presence, Holy Spirit, in our midst. How can we say together with them: Alleluia?

Will we ever show ourselves to be fully grateful and truly workers of the Grace that the hermits and martyrs, the persecuted and the deep praying ones have brought forth for us through the outpouring of their holy lives into the inner being of the whole Adam? For You alone are the One who brought the fire to burn in their hearts, and from this fire our hearts, we who are poor, are also kindled, so that we may one day serve You in the word:

Here You are!

Here You are, in those who, united with Christ, suffered for the life of the world;

Here You are, in those who shared Your Grace with us throughout the ages;

Here You are, You who brought Heaven into dungeons and prisons;

Here You are, You who suffer together with those who suffer;

Here you are, the Redemption of sickness;

Here you are, the Victory of those who allow themselves to be stabbed for Your Name;

Here you are, the Fire brought by Christ to earth;

Here you are, Most Holy Spirit, You who in Mystery are in all things!

Seventh Cry

We dwell in Your midst, we are surrounded by You, in You and through You we are embraced as in a deep and holy embrace in the bosom of the Father. All that is, speaks to us and embraces us in You. And we, remaining speechless, can only silently contemplate its meaning: Alleluia!

You are the One who has tirelessly drawn so close to us, weak and ever-earthly creatures, that through deeds, people, and thought, You have woven salvation for each of those who are born into the world throughout the ages. The feeling of Your Presence overwhelms our entire inner being, and without words we wish to thank You for the inner assurance that:

Here You are!

Here You are, Incomprehensible Saying;

Here You are, the most secret whisper of the soul;

Here You are, our breath in the Holy Things;

Here You are, the call of the whole Adam;

Here You are, the One who consumes the heart of the one who receives You with divine Love;

Here you are, the feeling of piety;

Here you are, the Meaning of life;

Here you are, Most Holy Spirit, You who in Mystery are all things!

Eighth Cry

Through the prayers of so many souls who have passed through this world over the centuries, through these places where we now walk, we breathe Your pure air. For through their prayers, each of us in our own time has been called to faith, and can now sing: Alleluia!

Their labors, their good thoughts, their prayers to You, but also those redeemed through the daily work of those who strive in the name of the Lord, nourish us and bring us closer to You, to us, who do not even know who we are. Reward them, Holy Spirit, returning them a thousandfold, and arrange that we too, someday, somehow, may leave a holy legacy and seed to our children and brothers.

Here You are;

Here You are, Melody that touches every creature;

Here you are, the One who comforts hearts;

Here you are, the closeness of the Cherubim;

Here you are, divine intimacy;

Here you are, our step into the unspeakable realm of holiness;

Here you are, Music that caresses the finest petals of flowers;

Here you are, the gaze of the Holy Trinity into the depths of our being;

Here you are, Most Holy Spirit, You who in Mystery bring all things into being!

Ninth Cry

Only through the breath of Life-giving power of Your coming, Adam, who was formed from the earth, is reborn alive in the wombs of mothers, through every child. Through You, Life is ever conceived, from which the truest cry breaks forth: Alleluia!

When my spirit was absent from me, You knew my paths…, confesses the one inspired by You. Likewise, I, who was formed in my mother’s womb by the grace of procreation established by You, was raised with the spirit without even being able to understand how, through the economy of Your being. You truly gave birth to me in the womb of the Mystery of Holy Baptism, and only through You can I recognize and praise You in the words:

Here You are!

Here You are, my mother’s prayer;

Here You are, the Life of the children in their mother’s womb;

Here You are, the Peace of children at their mother’s breast;

Here You are, serenity, joy, and purity of childhood;

Here You are, the Virginity and wisdom of youth;

Here You are, candor spread like invisible powder on their childish cheeks;

Here you are, the smile of their gentle love;

Here you are, Most Holy Spirit, You who in Mystery brings all things into being!

Tenth Cry

In Your hiddenness, all things are transformed into complete silence. The harsh human wills, the wars and the many atomic threats, the stubborn pride of the darkness within us, all reveal our daily vanity. All that perishes is vanity, and in You even these melt away with tears, as when there was great silence. Therefore, in this complete stillness, we share: Alleluia!

So many souls wander and stray through the abysses of this life, tasting destruction! Their dispersion is the suffering of the heart that has not yet found You alive in its corners, the misunderstood pain of the one who has not yet felt You, like the most hidden breath of being. But You are always with us, searching us with Your stirrings, always breathing in the air of the soul and touching with Your insight the inmost parts that hunger for You.

Here You are, the One who seeks us before we find You;

Here You are, when we think You are absent;

Here You are, our first encounter with ourselves;

Here You are, the One in whom I can freely see my misery, my nothingness, and my emptiness;

Here You are, the Incomprehensible stirring;

Here You are, the One we lack when we wander in the confines of our barren soul;

Here You are, true hunger and thirst;

Here you are forever, so close and unexpected;

Here you are, Most Holy Spirit, the One who in Mystery brings all things into being!

Eleventh Cry

Often the one who prays experiences within himself the drama and torment of the whole world. Within him is actualized the unbearable pain of the destruction in the non-existence of the distance from God of each of his fellow men and of all humanity. In this tension, only You can say inwardly: Alleluia!

Through and in You, this terrible abandonment identifies us, as in the spirit of suffering, with our Lord and Savior, Who Himself was crucified. Who can bear the crushing sorrow for the drama of the fallen world, unless You Yourself support him in the mysterious image of humility? And how else, except through You, can we who dwell in the hell of despair remember the expectation of the Resurrection? Therefore, with a burning desire known to no one, we ponder things like these:

You are always here!

Here You are, You who make us partakers of Christ’s death;

Here You are, through Whom we rise with Him;

Here You are, through Whom my pain is transformed into His pain;

Here You are, for You make His endless suffering mine as well;

Here you are, the One who unites the inner descent into hell with the Resurrection;

Here you are, the One who, in time, even transforms the sins of wandering into precious tears of repentance;

Here you are, the One who sanctifies us;

Here you are, Most Holy Spirit, the One who in Mystery brings all things into being!

Twelfth Cry

Through You, billions of hearts fit into one humble “have mercy on me, a sinner”. In an instant, You identify me with all of humanity, and through You, the one who prays, You bring all of Adam and Eve to the Father. Through You, I begin to dwell prayerfully in the depths of the bowels of all humanity, and from here, as from an unknown catacomb, we entrust our worship to You: Alleluia!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner… the one who prays breathes unceasingly. In this call, through You I become all my brothers with whom I am fully united in holy, sweetly painful love. Here I become all of humanity that sighs and together with it I cry endlessly hidden in You, entrusting myself to You with unspeakable desire, divine Spirit, our true being… Only You are the One who, like a deep breath, eternally traverses the nations and the ages, the ancient ones and those that will be, as one Adam, as a moment and a single breath.

Here You are, O You, the eternal Now!

Here You are, in the pedagogical abandonment of God;

You now, for the wholly Adamic, here You are!

Here You are, prayer without words;

Here You are, future silence;

Here You are, feeling of divine love;

Here You are, the One who transforms the passing into eternity;

Here You are, the One who makes every moment eternal;

Here you are, before whom I stand empty;

Here you are, Most Holy Spirit, You who in Mystery bring all things into being!

Thirteenth Cry

O, if only we could attain the pure heart with which from the beginning, in the counsel of the triune Love, we were conceived and made!

Only then could we truly see how close to us, through You, Divine Spirit, are the bosom of the Father, the love of Christ the Savior, and Your sharing of all that is holy.

Through You we would know all that, being hers, the Mother of God humbly concealed. And knowing as she did, we would desire to live in holy adoption, inheriting.

Through You we understand the saints and follow them.

Through You we rediscover the whole world and true life.

Through You and in You the elect are united with the Father’s first thought for the world. You exist within the one who bears the image that the Lord desired from the beginning, as He desired.

Through You we are perfectly solitary, in the Solitude of the Unfathomable One; through You we are together with all in common Love.

Do not leave us, Divine Spirit, in our own things, but You in Your own things capture us, so that nothing of the perishable may remain, but all of us, to Your Glory, Lord of endless desire, may become through grace, You…

And in You, may all things be transformed into eternal and Most Holy Love, which You, together with the Father and the Son, are and share with us.