Ode 9. The Irmos.

Exapostilarion. Model melody.

Iambic. The Irmos.

Magnify, O my soul, her who is greater in honour and more glorious than the hosts on high.

At Lauds we insert 4 stichera, and sing the following Idiomels in Tone 4.

‘A strange and wonderful mystery I see, the Cave is heaven, the Virgin the Cherubim throne, the Manger the Place in which Christ, the God whom nothing can contain, is laid. Him we praise and magnify’.

By Andrew of Jerusalem.

Magnify, O my soul, her who is greater in honour and more glorious than the hosts on high.

Be glad, you just, heavens rejoice, mountains leap for joy; Christ is born and the Virgin sits like the Cherubim throne carrying in her bosom God the Word made flesh. Shepherds glorify the one that is born; Magi offer gifts to the Master; Angels sing praises, saying: Lord beyond understanding, glory to you!

‘A strange and wonderful mystery I see, the Cave is heaven, the Virgin the Cherubim throne, the Manger the Place in which Christ, the God whom nothing can contain, is laid. Him we praise and magnify’.

The Father was well pleased; the Word became flesh; the Virgin gave birth to God made man. A Star makes known; Magi worship; Shepherds marvel, and creation rejoices.

Magnify, O my soul, God born in flesh from a Virgin.

Virgin Mother of God, who have given birth to the Saviour, you have overthrown the former curse of Eve, for you have become the Mother of the Father’s good will, carrying in your bosom God the Word made flesh. None can fathom the mystery; by faith alone we all glorify it as we cry with you and say: Lord beyond interpretation, glory to you!

The Magi, seeing the strange course of an unusual, new and newly shining star, exceeding those of heaven concluded a King, Christ, had been born on earth in Bethlehem for our salvation.

Come, let us sing the praises of the Mother of the Saviour, who remained still a Virgin after bearing child. Rejoice living City of the King and God, in which Christ dwelt and wrought salvation. With Gabriel we sing your praise, with Shepherds we give glory as we cry: Mother of God, intercede with him who was incarnate of you that we may be saved.

Magnify, O my soul, the King born in a cave.

**Tone. 6 By Germanos.**

The Magi, seeing the strange course of an unusual, new and newly shining star, exceeding those of heaven concluded a King, Christ, had been born on earth in Bethlehem for our salvation.

When the moment came for your coming upon earth a first enrolment of the world took place; then you were about to enrol the names of all who believed in your birth; because of this such a decree was published by Caesar, for the timelessness of your eternal kingdom was newly revealed. And so we too offer beyond tribute in money the wealth of our orthodox faith to you, the God and Saviour of our souls.

Magnify, O my soul, God worshipped by the Magi.

**2nd Tone. By Monk John.**

Where is the new-born infant King, whose star we have seen? said the Magi. For we have come to worship him. Herod. God’s enemy, was troubled and in his mad folly plotted to destroy Christ.

Today Christ is born of the Virgin in Bethlehem. Today he who is without beginning begins to be, and the Word is made flesh. The Powers of heaven rejoice, and earth with mankind is glad. The Magi offer gifts; the Shepherds proclaim the marvel, while we cry aloud without ceasing: Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth; good will among men.

Magnify, O my soul, him who was revealed to the Magi by a star.

Great Doxology and Dismissal.

Where is the new-born infant King, whose star we have seen? said the Magi. For we have come to worship him. Herod. God’s enemy, was troubled and in his mad folly plotted to destroy Christ.

Magnify, O my soul, the pure Virgin who has given birth to Christ the King.

Herod inquired the time of the star, under whose guidance the Magi in Bethlehem worship Christ with gifts. Led back to their own country by that star they abandoned the foul slayer of children, who was mocked.

Magi and Shepherds came to worship Christ, born in the city of Bethlehem.

Herod inquired the time of the star, under whose guidance the Magi in Bethlehem worship Christ with gifts. Led back to their own country by that star they abandoned the foul slayer of children, who was mocked.

To-day the Virgin bears the Master within the cave.

‘For us it is easier in fear to love silence,

‘For this is without danger, but it is hard indeed

‘With love to weave songs harmoniously composed,

‘O Virgin. But do you, O Mother, give us strength

‘That we may fulfil our intent’.

Today the Master is born as a babe of a Virgin Mother.

‘For us it is easier in fear to love silence,

‘For this is without danger, but it is hard indeed

‘With love to weave songs harmoniously composed,

‘O Virgin. But do you, O Mother, give us strength

‘That we may fulfil our intent’.

Today the Shepherds behold the Saviour wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.

Types of the Word, pure Mother, we have seen

That have no light and shadows that are past;

Newly he has appeared from the closed gate,

And we, found worthy of the light of truth,

Your womb, as is most fitting, now we bless.

Today the Master who cannot be touched is wrapped as a babe in swaddling rags.

Types of the Word, pure Mother, we have seen

That have no light and shadows that are past;

Newly he has appeared from the closed gate,

And we, found worthy of the light of truth,

Your womb, as is most fitting, now we bless.

Today all creation rejoices greatly and is glad, for Christ is born of a Virgin Mother.

Types of the Word, pure Mother, we have seen

That have no light and shadows that are past;

Newly he has appeared from the closed gate,

And we, found worthy of the light of truth,

Your womb, as is most fitting, now we bless.

The Powers of heaven declare to the world that the Saviour, Lord and Master has been born.

The people that delights in Christ has found

Its longing, counted worthy of God’s coming,

Now cries in supplication for rebirth

As giving life. Do you, pure Virgin, grant

The grace to worship then that radiant glory.

Magnify, O my soul, the might of the undivided godhead in three Persons.

The people that delights in Christ has found

Its longing, counted worthy of God’s coming,

Now cries in supplication for rebirth

As giving life. Do you, pure Virgin, grant

The grace to worship then that radiant glory.

Magnify, O my soul, her that has delivered us from the curse.

The people that delights in Christ has found

Its longing, counted worthy of God’s coming,

Now cries in supplication for rebirth

As giving life. Do you, pure Virgin, grant

The grace to worship then that radiant glory.

Our Saviour, the Dayspring from the east, has visited us from on high; and we who were in darkness and shadow, have now found the truth; for the Lord is born of a Virgin. (

**Three times**) ****