Ode 9.

Exapostilarion. Women hear.

Behold the fair glory of your godlike house, Archangel, resplendent with your radiant boldness. It sends forth lighting flashes of wonders and by divine grace dispels each day the darkness of diseases.

Theotokion. Same melody.

As fair and comely yoke-fellows you serve the Masters commands for those on earth, Archangels, delivering them from dangers and sending out to all saving illumination by the divine Spirit.

**Theotokion.**

Today the bodiless and godlike Minds rejoice with us, as they see the great and radiant Archangel being praised by all, as he entreats for us illumination and redemption from faults.

O godlike and shining pair, Archangels, Michael all-honoured and Gabriel all-glorified, as you stand in the presence of the holy Trinity deliver us from the liability of faults and from eternal punishment.

At the voce of the Angel Gabriel you conceived God the Word, O All-blameless, who by a word made the hosts on high and grants reason to praise his holy condescension beyond reason and understanding.

As you appeared to men through the compassion of your pity, O Word, to protect them from evil harm you appointed Angels for them, among them Michael the wondrous. Through whom we implore you to grant us all pardon of offences.

Every believer ever addresses you a song, who without ceasing with many tens of thousands in the highest raise the thrice-holy hymn. Bring us all to God, rescuing us from disasters and toils, O prince of Angels.

Let creation leap for joy as it mystically sings the praise of the great Archangel of the Lord; for he is the guide of the erring and haven for many who are storm-tossed by disasters and temptations, physician of the sick and fount of wonders.

You have hallowed this revered temple and revealed it as a source of wonders, in which we stand together and cry out with faith: O Archangel, ask for us release from sins, deliverance from disasters and great calm.

You appeared wider than the heavens, O Virgin, for in a manner beyond explanation you contained God, whom the choirs of Bodiless Powers mystically praise. Implore him, pure Maiden, that we who call you blessed with never silent voices may all be saved.

All humanity, assemble together and see; contemplate the strange wonder that has been accomplished in Chonae. Michael, the bodiless one, split the rock with a staff and speared rivers that were flowing down unchecked to become holy water.

Alas, wretch that I am, through my incontinence of old I was thrust from the greater image in which I shared by God’s action. But you, O Christ, in your compassion, ineffably became my fellow and shared that which worse, renewing me, O Saviour, from virgin blood.

At Lauds we insert 4 Stichera, and sing Prosomia.

Tone 1. Joy of the heavenly hosts.

As we in the world keep festival like the Angels, let us cry aloud to God, who is borne on a throne of glory, the hymn: Holy are you, Father in heaven; co-eternal Word, holy are you; and the All-holy Spirit. (

With great boldness you lead the heavenly powers and stand before the throne unendurable in glory, eye-witness of things ineffable; by your intercessions, Michael Chief Captain, save us who are constrained by dangers and temptations, we implore.

Manifestly you are first of the bodiless Angels and minister of that divine radiance, eye-witness and initiate; save us, Michael Chief Captain, who yearly honour you devoutly and faithfully sing the praise of the Trinity.

Where your grace overshadows, Archangel, from there the power of the devil is driven out; the Morning Star who fell cannot bear to remain in your light. And so we beg you, by your mediation quench his fiery darts which are hurled against us, rescuing us from his stumbling blocks, Michael Archangel worthy of praise.

We faithful call you blessed, Virgin Mother of God, and we glorify you as is fitting, the unshakeable city, the unbreachable wall, the impregnable defence and refuge of our souls.

Great Doxology and Dismissal.