Ode 9.

Exapostilarion.

Christ, who united the things of earth with those of heaven, and brought to completion one Church of Angels and of mortals, we unceasingly magnify you.

**Theotokion.**

Angels and Archangels, Thrones, Virtues and Dominations, Principalities and Powers, Cherubim and Seraphim, with the Mother of God, intercede on behalf of the world.

Michael with Gabriel, shown as champions of all, watch over those who honour with longing and who hymn with faith your all-festive memory, and save them from every danger.

O Virgin, you received the eternal Word, when he wished to refashion my nature, and you gave birth to him incarnate; therefore, Mother of God, we unceasingly magnify you.

Second Canon.

First of the Bodiless ones, Michael and Gabriel, you have appeared as champions for the salvation of those in sickness and on sea, and of those in need.

Dancing with the choirs of Powers and Thrones, as Captain of the Angels and initiate of God, O Gabriel, intercede for us to the Saviour.

As guardians of the world and of the Church, and Commanders of the Powers on high, implore the Saviour on our behalf.

Harmoniously, Mother of God, we glorify you, for you deliver us from passions and from dangers, and you fulfil our entreaties for good things.

. Let all those born of earth. ****

The Maker and God has proclaimed you as champion, governor and provider for our mortal race, O godlike Chief Captain, and has honoured you ineffably with glory, ceaselessly to sound the thrice-holy and divine hymn of victory.

Inexpressibly aflame with the divine rays of the Trinity beyond light, you pass through all creation as lightning, fulfilling God’s behest, Archangel Michael, lightning-formed, guarding, protecting and sheltering those who radiantly sing your praise.

O glorious Michael, godlike Chief Captain, you have been placed by God as leader of Virtues, Powers, Archangels, Angels, Dominations, Thrones and Principalities; as you stand before the unendurable throne, shelter, guard, protect and save those who in faith honour you, the world’s defender.

You are greater in honour than the glorious Cherubim, O Al-praised, and beyond compare more glorious than the dread Seraphim, and holier than all the Holy Angels, O All-pure, for inexpressibly you gave birth to the Creator of all things in a body, O Mother of God. Ask him to give your servants deliverance from offences.

At Lauds we insert 4 Verses and we sing 3 Prosomia, doubling the first.

Tone 1. Joy of the heavenly hosts.

Michael, we faithfully sing your praise as Chief Captain of the heavenly orders, and mighty champion, guard and deliverer of those on earth, beseeching you to deliver us from every destroying pain.

The leader of the godlike Powers above invites the choirs of mortals today to celebrate with the Angels one shining feast of their Assembly and together raise the thrice-holy hymn to God.

Michael, godlike spirit, guard and shelter in this life beneath the shelter of your godlike wings us who flee to you in faith, and at the hour of death, Archangel, be present as most kindly helper for us all.

Where your grace casts its shade, Archangel, there the devil’s power is chased away; for the fallen Morning Star cannot endure in your light. And so we ask you, quench his fiery darts, directed against us, delivering us by your mediation, from his traps, Michael Archangel, worthy of praise.

Virgin Mother of God, we the faithful as is fitting call you blessed, and we glorify you, the impregnable city, the unbreachable wall, the unshakeable protection and refuge of our souls.

Great Doxology and Dismissal.