Ode 3. The Irmos.

Of the Saint. The same Irmos.

’Establish us in you, O Lord, who slew sin by a tree, and plant your fear in the hearts of us who sing your praise’.

The Word, who is beyond being, became incarnate and was circumcised to bring the Law to an end; but he has given us the first fruits of divine grace and unsullied life.

Fulfiller of the Law, as being not hostile to God, Christ was revealed as incarnate, and vouchsafed willingly to be circumcised on the eighth day.

When you had become filled with all learning, no only that which is below and well-worn, but even more that which better, you were revealed, Basil, as a light for the world.

Grounded in the fear of the Lord; for this is the beginning of wisdom; you were given wings by the love of the better wisdom, O Basil.

Basil you wisely you took the path of practice and showed practice to the path to more divine contemplation, and you were clearly initiated into the knowledge of things that are.

Your commemoration, Father, coincided and shone out together with the Christ’s nativity; the ineffable mystery of which you made manifest by your teachings.

Without seed you conceived in the womb, and you gave birth ineffably to God, on whom, pure Ever-virgin, the Powers of heaven dare not look.

’The Lord who gives strength to our Kings, and exalts the horn of his anointed ones, is born of a Virgin; but now is coming for Baptism; and so let us, the faithful, cry aloud: None is holy as our God, and none is righteous but you, O Lord’.

’All we who have been freed from ancient snares,

Ravening lions too, whose jaws are smashed,

Let us rejoice, and open wide our mouths,

Weaving from words a song now for the Word,

Whose pleasure is bestowing gifts on us’.

Kathisma. Tone 8. The Wisdom and Word.

Opening your mouth with God’s word, you uttered wisdom, Herald of light, and sowed in the inhabited world thought inspired by God; You truly confirmed the doctrines of the Fathers and appeared in the manner of Paul a champion of the faith. Therefore you are a fellow citizen of the Angels, and have been declared their companion, blest Saint. Basil, revealer of heaven, intercede with Christ God to grant forgiveness of offences to those who feast with love your holy memory.

**Tone 3. Of godly faith.**

You watered the whole inhabited world by your teachings, as by water, sowing doctrines in it; for Christ the source of life truly took his rest in you, Basil; as you have gained boldness, O inspired by God, implore him to grant us his great mercy.

**Today the Virgin.**

The Lord of all things undergoes circumcision, and as he is good circumcises mortals’ faults; today he gives salvation to the world, while in the highest the Creator’s high priest and bearer of light rejoices, Basil the great initiate of Christ.