Ode 6. Watching life’s sea.

The God bearing Father, established not on a foundation of sand but on unbreakable faith, remained unshaken by every assault of the foe, for he was governed by invincible power.

Kontakion. Tone 2. Seeking things on high.

Your tongue, Father, was truly the pen of a scribe swiftly writing, teaching a knowledge wholly devout, engraving on the tablets of hearts the law of the Spirit.

Those who sail the calm sea of your teachings, godly Ephrem, are delivered from soul destroying waves and rising above the storm of heresies they are saved by faith.

He who as God is above all visible and invisible creation took flesh and came from your womb, keeping you incorrupt as you were before your bearing child, O Bride of God.

Watching life’s sea rising with a tempest of temptations, fleeing to your calm haven, I cry out to you: Bring my life up from corruption, O Most merciful.

Ever looking towards the hour of the trial you lamented bitterly, venerable Ephrem, as a lover of stillness; but you became by your actions a teacher in deed. And therefore, universal Father, you rouse the idle to repentance.

Wishing to follow in the footsteps of the Forerunner, O Father, you took yourself alone from the world and dwelt in the desert. The enemy seeing you the just one living so raised up an utterly shameless woman against you, thinking to overthrow your manliness by the ancient weapon and to befoul your purity, that you might no longer by words and deeds rouse the idle to repentance.

On the 28th of the same month, Commemoration of our Venerable Father Ephrem the Syrian.

Ephrem, the Syrian by tongue, once heard in psalms

a tongue he knew not calling him on high.

And on the twenty eighth day Ephrem’s spirit was taken by Angels.

On the same day, Commemoration of our Venerable Father Palladios.

Being stronger than the leapings of the flesh,

Through this Palladios now leaps in heaven.

On the same day, Commemoration of our Venerable Father James the Ascetic.

As from a snare James left the flesh behind

For by the flesh’s snares he was not caught.

On the same day two Martyrs, mother and daughter, died by the sword.

A mother bowed her head with her own child

And with her daughter died upon one sword.

On the same day the holy Charis died by amputation of her legs.

Charis, her legs cut off, now runs to God,

For her soul’s legs were in no way cut off.

On the same day, Commemoration of our Venerable Father, Isaac the Syrian.

At the intercessions of your Saints, O God, have mercy upon us. Amen.