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Acathistus

noun
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Ac·​a·​this·​tus | \ ˌakəˈthistəs \
variants: or Acathistos \ äˈkäthēˌstȯs \ or less commonly Akathist \ ˈakəˌthist \ or Akathistos \ äˈkäthēˌstȯs \
plural Acathisti\ ˌakəˈthiˌstī , -​(ˌ)stē \ or Acathistoi\ äˈkäthēˌstē \ also Akathists\ ˈakəˌthis(t)s \ or Akathistoi\ äˈkäthēˌstē \

Definition of Acathistus

: any of several Lenten hymns of the Eastern Orthodox Church sung with the people standing in honor of Christ, the Virgin Mary, or one of the saints

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First Known Use of Acathistus

circa 1721, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Acathistus

Middle Greek akathistos (hymnos), literally, standing hymn, from akathistos standing, from a- a- entry 2 + -kathistos (from Greek kathizein to seat, set, sit, from kata down + -izein -ize)

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The first known use of Acathistus was circa 1721

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Cite this Entry

“Acathistus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Acathistus. Accessed 8 Jul. 2020.

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