The Akathist Hymn (Greek: Ἀκάθιστος Ὕμνος, "unseated hymn") is a hymn of Eastern Orthodox tradition 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, without sitting down, except for the aged or infirm. Each akathist is made of 13 kontakions (shorter stanzas) and 12 ikoses (longer stanzas).