Ode 9. Λίθος ἀχειρότμητος.

Exapostilarion of the Martyr. Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν*.*

I offer myself wholly to you, Nikitas blessed by God, that I may be rich with you as champion before the Master who has power to save from every circumstance and as advocate of divine salvation.

Truly, brave Champion, you were declared to be a martyr for the truth, and now you stand rejoicing beside the honoured and empersonned truth, having by boldness obtained the rewards of your contests.

You have come to anchor in a calm anchorage, where you have found rest from your toils, and bearing a crown your dance in Paradise with Christ’s Martyrs; and so, all-blessed, fittingly we all glorify you.

Vouchsafe, I pray, unstinted grace to me, who have eagerly woven for you crowns of praise in words, delivering me, all-blessed, from my sin and from my dreadful deeds by your prayers.

Outside the laws of nature, O blessed Immaculate, you bear the lawgiver, through his unsearchable compassion incarnate without change and known in two natures.

A cornerstone uncut by hand, O Virgin, was cut from you, the unhewn mountain, Christ who joined together separated natures; and so with gladness, Mother of God, we magnify you.

As you routed the insolence of barbarians and the raving of tyrants, all-wise Martyr, by the power of the Cross, stop the rebellions of our flesh, noble champion Nikitas, and the assaults of the passions by your prayers, granting us release from sins, as you have gained unlimited boldness towards God.

And of the Feast. Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώτων σε.

The Cross is the guardian of the whole world; the Cross is the beauty of the Church; the Cross is the might of Kings; the Cross is the support of the faithful; the Cross is the glory of Angels and the wound of demons.