Ode 6. Irmos.

**Ode 7. Irmos.**

‘Come godly-minded people, as we celebrate this divine and honoured feast of the Mother of God, let us clap our hands as we glorify the God who was born of her.’

People, who sat of old in darkness, be filled with joy as you look on the light, come to dwell among you. See, the Lord has appeared wrapped about in the streams of Jordan.

How will the Forerunner see you as you draw near and ask for divine Baptism, O Saviour? How will the streams of Jordan receive you, who are a stream of forgiveness?

Let clouds in gladness rain down spiritual joy. See, the Lord has come to be baptised, as he dispels the clouds from our hearts.

‘As you delivered the prophet from the lowest deep, Christ God, deliver me also from my faults, as you love mankind, and pilot my life, I beg.’

On the 3rd of the same month, Commemoration of the Holy Prophet Malachy.

Loudly proclaiming his angelic call, [1]

His place with Angels Malachy proclaims.

Malachy’s heart on the third of the month flew away from his members. [2]

On the same day, Commemoration of the Holy Martyr Gordios.

Who can surpass the soldier Gordios,

A stalwart hero ‘gainst the fearsome blade?

Gordios fell in the dust on the third on all sides surrounded. [3]

On the same day, Commemoration of our Venerable Father Peter the Standard-bearer, who lies in the church of St Zachary of Atroa.

On the same day, the Holy Martyrs, a mother and her two children, died by fire.

Their mother burned, her children to the flame,

Like sparrow’s nestlings, with shrill cries make speed.

At their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us.

‘The godlike Children did not worship creation instead of the Creator, but bravely trampling on the threat of fire, rejoicing they sang: O highly exalted Lord and God of our fathers, blessed are you!’

Taking pity, Lord, through goodness you had mercy on me, crushed by faults and lying in the darkness of transgression; and you come, Lord, to be baptised in the waters of Jordan.

What is this strange sight? cried the ranks of Angels. He who made the lakes and rivers by his command is coming to be wrapped in Jordan’s streams; for by them he makes Adam new.

Your dispensation, Master, is an ineffable height, an unplumbed depth, which surpasses all the understanding of the mind: how through water and the All-holy Spirit you resmelt mortals.