The Akathist Hymn is a beautiful treasure of theological poetry set to music in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. Its main hymn, “O Champion General” (“Ti Ipermacho“) commemorates the rescue of the Byzantine imperial city of Constantinople from attack, which the faithful attributed to the intercessions of the Mother of God. The service is offered in two forms. The first four Fridays each contain only one segment of the larger poem and are called “Salutations,” from the greeting of the Archangel Gabriel to the Theotokos. The “Akathist Hymn” refers to the entire service with all the stanzas and is offered on the fifth Friday of Lent.