Ode 9. Irmos.

Exapostilarion. Ὁ ïὐñáíὸí ôïῖò ἄóôñïéò.

Of the Mother of God. Same Irmos.

Cross-Theotokion.

You, whom Moses saw as a bush unburned, and Jacob beheld as a living ladder, a gate of heaven, through which our God alone has passed, pure Mother, in hymns we magnify you.

O how does the disobedient people hand over to a Cross the only long-suffering One, who willingly beggared himself and accepted the Passion, becoming the cause of dispassion for all those from Adam who had fallen.

You accepted the dishonour of crucifixion in the flesh, O Christ, wishing to honour mankind who had been dishonoured by irrational passions and lost its ancient beauty. Glory to your compassion beyond understanding.

Of the Martyrs.

O Christ, never-setting Sun, guide us, who rise to you at dawn and by your will have run past the darkness of punishment, to the light of your ineffable glory and radiance. Enlighten us then by the prayers of Saints.

A phalanx of sacred Martyrs defeated myriads of spiritual foes and were united to the of holy Powers, and they heal the myriads passions of our souls by an universally effective will.

By the light that dawned from you in the flesh, O Virgin, fill my soul with radiance and enlighten my heart, chasing away the darkness of sin and driving out the whole cloud of my sloth.

As you great sympathy and a wealth of compassion, Sovereign Lady, heal the sufferings, wounds, bruises and pains of my body, that as is fitting I may glorify you.

As the one who conceived in her womb and bore beyond nature the Word of the Father and remained Virgin, O All-pure, I glorify you as with thanksgiving I cry, ‘Hail, help of sinners’.

You alone are the unerring guidance of the faithful, a saving path, leading straight to the truly heavenly Kingdom, O Immaculate, the hope of our souls.

You cultivated and nourished for us the heavenly Ear of corn, O All-blameless, and you ever intercede, save from affliction and dangers and obtain expiation of sins for all who sing your praise.

Cross of my Christ, sceptre and victory of Sovereigns, glory of the Orthodox, guard those who worship you, that the multitudes of the unorthodox may be defeated.

The Cross is the guardian of the whole inhabited world; the Cross is the beauty of the Church; the Cross is the might of Kings; the Cross is the strength of believers, the glory of Angels and the wound of the demons.

Standing by the Cross and grieving, she who gave you birth without seed, cried out, ‘Alas, my sweetest Child! How have you set from my sight? How have you been numbered among the dead?’