Ode 5. The Irmos.

Iambic. The Irmos.

‘As you are God of peace and Father of mercies, you have sent us your Angel of great counsel, who grants us peace; so we are guided by the knowledge of God, watching before dawn we glorify you, only lover of mankind’.

You were enrolled among Caesar’s slaves, obeying his decree, and you have freed us, your slaves, O Christ from foe and sin; Making yourself utterly poor like us, you have made our dust divine through union and participation.

Behold, the Virgin, as it was said of old, has conceived in the womb and borne God made man, and she remains Virgin; through her we sinners, reconciled to God, let us with faith sing her praise as truly Mother of God.

‘From the night of deeds of error, in our darkness we keep watch,

‘And sing to you, O Christ, as to our Benefactor:

‘Come to us and grant forgiveness,

‘Make the pathway easy for us,

‘Whereby we may ascend, and so attain to glory’.

The Master by his coming in the flesh

Harsh hate against him utterly cut through,

Strength of the murderer of souls destroyed,

Unites the world to immaterial beings,

Making his Father gentle to creation.

The people that in darkness dwelt before

Saw in broad day light from a beacon fire

On high. The Son to God as heritage

Brings nations; grace ineffable bestows

Where sin once flourished more abundantly.