Why are there so many “Rejoice” in every Akathist?

As a genre of Christian hymnography Akathist is different not only in the way it is written but due to a special joyful mood it is sung. It is explained by those circumstances the very first Akathist was created. It was written in honor of the Mother of God and was sung standing all night Saturday on the fifth week of the Great Lent, after the victory over Persians and Avars, who besieged Constantinople in 626. The capital was encircled from both sea and land. It was hopeless. The Mother of God brought Her wondrous help and the city was saved («To Thee the Champion Leader, we Thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving as once rescued out of sufferingsе»).

In thanksgiving for this protection they set up this feast of the Laudation of the Most Holy Theotokos (Saturday of Akathist). Many times repeated word “Rejoice” has been taken from the Holy Gospel. This is how Archangel Gabriel greeted the Mother of God when he brought the news about the future nativity of Messiah from Her: «Rejoice, Thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with Thee; blessed art Thou among women» (Lk. 1: 28).

The Akathists to the saints, which were created in the image of the first one, have also a lot of “rejoice”. The basis for this is Gospel as well. The saints, for their zeal of faith and life, received their award, which the Savior is talking about in the Beatitudes: «Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven» (Mt.5, 12).

Besides the Saturday of the fifth week of the Lent the Akathist to the Savior, the Mother of God and the saints should be read outside the fasting times as well, during which Christians should especially pray for forgiveness of their sins. Most often we read Akathist in the times of special joy and thanksgiving or when we need to ask Lord and the Mother of God for help in difficult circumstances.