Pray the Akathist Daily
The Akathist hymn is chanted daily standing at the monistaries on Mt. Athos. It was also prayed by Pope John Paul II at the great jubilee.
The prayer can be found at: http://www.legionofmarytidewater.com/prayers/stand.htm
The word “akathistos” literally means “not sitting,” and participants stand while it is chanted. The hymn is comprised of 24 stanzas, alternating long and short.
While the Emperor of Byzantium was fighting he Persians, barbaric hordes attacked Constantinople. As months passed during the seige, the situation was getting desperate. Patriarch Sergius led and endless march along the great walls of Constantinople with an Icon of the Theotokos in hand, bolstering the faith of the defenders of freedom. Unexpectedly, a great storm with huge tidal waves destroyed most of the fleet of the enemy, forcing them to retreate.
The faithful of Constantinople spontaneously filled the Church of the Theotokos, and with the Patriarch Sergius officiating, they prayed all night singing praises to the Virgin Mary without sitting. Hence the title of the Hymn “Akathistos“, in Greek meaning ‘not seated‘.
Pope Benedict XIV granted on May 4, 1746 an indulgence of 50 days to Catholics, for each recitation of the Hymn.