Akathists by agreement
In the tradition of the Orthodox Church, each day of the week has its own prayer theme. Accordingly, there is a daily schedule for reading akathists. For example, on Mondays, the angelic forces (the first creation of the Lord) are especially commemorated. On Tuesdays, the Church dedicates prayers to the martyrs, and so on.
We also know that each saint, during their earthly life, served the Lord through a particular deed or spiritual struggle. As a result, it is customary in the Church to turn to the saint who is most closely connected with a specific life situation or problem, as they are personally familiar with it. For example, in times of illness, believers pray to the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon (who was a physician and continues to grant healing to the suffering), and so on.
To select the appropriate akathist for home reading, you can use the search field (a white bar with a magnifying glass) at the top of this page by entering a key word related to the issue. Alternatively, you can request advice on selecting an akathist through a special form.
In the Skete of the Resurrection of Christ, seven akathists to the Mother of God are performed weekly before different icons. Each of these miraculous icons has its own history, as well as numerous testimonies of the Queen of Heaven's help with specific problems.
The texts of the akathists vary, but they are structured in such a way that the one praying can deeply reflect on their problem from a spiritual perspective, offer repentance, and accept the Will of God.
The Mother of God herself prays for everyone, desiring the salvation of every soul, even the most desperate sinner. One can turn to Her in any situation. However, to ensure that prayer becomes communal and unites many people praying about the same issue, the schedule includes brief descriptions of the circumstances under which we pray to the Most Holy Theotokos before specific icons.
The akathist prayer by agreement, which has been revived in the city of Bolgar, holds special power because the gathering of two or three or more co-prayers in the spirit of Orthodox faith allows Christ Himself to be among them: “... there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). And not only to be present but to act.
In the akathist by agreement, the petition of the believer becomes the petition of the Savior before the Heavenly Father, as well as the intercession of the Mother of God, the angels, or the saints on their behalf before the Lord. And for God, nothing is impossible.
The schedule for the akathist prayer by agreement can be found right here on the "Spiritual Lighthouse" website.
Before beginning the reading, it is good to say the introductory prayers, that is, the usual opening prayers that a Christian recites during their morning and evening prayer rules (up to "Our Father..."). After the reading, the prayers that conclude the aforementioned rules should also be said.
If the akathist in your home prayer rule is combined with morning or evening prayers, it should be recited before their conclusion, that is, before the prayer "It is Truly Meet."