Akathist The Akathist Hymn (Ἀκάθιστος Ὕμνος, unseated hymn) is an Eastern Orthodox Christian hymn dedicated to a saint, holy event, or one of the persons of the Holy Trinity. The name derives from the fact that during the chanting of the hymn, or sometimes the whole service, the congregation is expected to remain standing in reverence, not being allowed to sit down (Ancient Greek ἀ- (a), κάθισις (káthisis), Gospel and the singing of Akathists is standing considered mandatory for all.