Ode 1. Tone 2. The Irmos.

Of the Saint. The same Irmos.

’Come, you peoples, let us sing a song to Christ God, who parted the sea and guided the people he had taken from the slavery of the Egyptians; for he has been glorified’.

The eighth day, which bears the image of the age to come, is made radiant and hallowed, O Christ, by your voluntary poverty; for on it you were circumcised in the flesh according to the law.

Christ receives circumcision on the eighth day from his birth; and today he reduces its shadow by making the light of the new grace dawn.

A composition of John of Damascus.

Yours is the voice that should have been with those who wish to undertake your praises, Basil; but as you judge kindly, Father, grant us grace ungrudgingly.

You disciplined the passionate surging of the tyrannous flesh by your love of the philosophic life; and so you dwell in undefiled palaces, Father Basil.

You walked the rough way of the virtues and so you attained the smooth and undisturbed floor of heaven, and have been revealed, Basil, as a model for all.

Effectively you circumcised the passions of both the soul and body with the sword of the Spirit; while you offered yourself as a sacrifice to the Master.

You became an initiate of ineffable mysteries, Father Basil, into which you initiated the royal priesthood of Christ, making the light of the Trinity blaze out for us.

Who will be able worthily to tell forth your conception beyond understanding? For you gave birth in the flesh to God, O All-holy, who has appeared to us as Saviour of us all.

’The Lord mighty in wars uncovered the foundations of the deep and led his servants through dry ground, covering their opponents in the deep; for he has been glorified’.

’Israel trod the storm-tossed surging of

The sea, as dry land once again revealed.

While the black waters utterly concealed

Egypt’s chief captains in a watery grave,

Through strength most mighty of the Master’s hand’.