variants: or Acathistos \ äˈkäthēˌstȯs \ or less commonly Akathist \ ˈakəˌthist \ or Akathistos \ äˈkäthēˌstȯs \
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
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)