Ode 8. Irmos.

‘The most blest Young Men in Babylon, accepting danger for their ancestral laws, scorned the irrational order of the ruler; and standing united in the fire, by which they were not smelted, they sang a hymn worthy of the Mighty One: You his works bless the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages’.

Guests of the food of God, having delighted in Bethlehem by the word and given glorified the Incarnate One with Angels, Shepherds and Magi, let us now go towards Jordan to see the great mystery which Christ has come to accomplish; him we highly exalt to all the ages.

By keeping the essential of the law and embracing the love of the Prophets let us become imitators of Christ, who through extreme love took flesh, and through Baptism reconciled us to the Father, and taught us to sing: You his works praise the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages.

He greeted with honour the one who came to cleanse the sins of all in the waters; but cast down with fear, he prevented him: For I need to be baptized by you, the friend replied to the Bridegroom, the voice to the Word, the lamp to the Sun; whom we highly exalt to all the ages.