Ode 9. A Stone not cut.

Exapostilarion. Women hear.

You were revealed as a light-bearing chariot, glorious Apostle, carrying with your obedient and god-bearing soul the Word seated upon it, as he drives towards salvation those who hymn you.

**Theotokion.**

As we celebrate your all-blessed memorial, we implore that we may be delivered from every storm by the mediation of the confidence which you have as Christ’s Apostle, O all-honoured eye-witness of God.

We all celebrate your memory to-day, Apostle Thomas; enlighten, hallow us with faith, ever rescuing us from trials and dangers and sufferings by your prayers.

You appeared as a Mother, bride of God, and an all-spotless Virgin; for you joined in one virginity and child-bearing, immaculate Lady, in giving birth to the Maker and Lord of all creation.

A Stone not cut by human hand was cut from you, O Virgin, unhewn mountain: Christ the head of the corner, who joined together the natures that were parted; and so with joy, Mother of God, we magnify you.

Eyewitness and Apostle of Christ the all-pitying, grant peace to the whole inhabited world, victories to our Christ-loving Sovereign, ask forgiveness of faults and salvation for us who praise you, Thomas, as an inspired disciple.

Christ, the great Sun, sent you as a beam radiant with light to India, as an initiate dispelling utterly the fog of error, O wise Apostle Thomas, and enlightening the peoples to honour the divine Trinity, by which we are all guarded.

All-blameless Mother of God, the great rampart of the Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets and Saints, make your Son and Lord merciful to us your servants, Mother of God, when he takes his seat to judge each as they deserve.

At Lauds we insert 6 stichera, and we sing the three following Idiomels, doubling the first.

Tone 2. By Anatolios.

You followed Christ, Apostle Thomas, and you despised the world, and hiding his teachings in your store, you were revealed as an Apostle; therefore among the nations you enlightened their souls, darkened by the error and the passions, with the commandments of the Saviour, to believe in the consubstantial Trinity.

Tone 4.

Made radiant in soul by the divine fire of knowledge, you became in all things an imitator of the Master, as an outstanding Disciple, Apostle Thomas; for with the rod of the Cross you caught souls of the devout from the deep of ignorance. Therefore too you netted with the hook of the divine Spirit the beclouded mind of the Indians. Ever beseech Christ God to deliver us also from the darkened sight of the foe and to save our souls.

The same tone.

Leaving behind the deep of fishing, by faith you advanced with the rod of the Cross and caught all with it, Apostle Thomas; and so having handled the side of the Word with your hand, you were found worthy to explore with your finger the holes of the piercing nails. Intercede insistently with Christ God that our souls may be saved.

You gazed on the divine mysteries of Christ, Apostle Thomas, and mystically you have been declared to be a spiritual mixing bowl, in which the souls of believers rejoice; for with the divine net of the Spirit you drew peoples from the deep of ignorance; therefore you came from Sion as a river of grace, welling up with your inspired doctrines into the whole creation. And so, imitating the passion of Christ, you were pierced in the side and entered the darkness of incorruption; implore him to have mercy on our souls.

Mother of God, you are the true vine who gave bud to the fruit of life; intercede, we beseech you, Sovereign Lady, with the Apostles and all the saints that he have mercy on our souls.

Great Doxology and Dismissal.