Ode 3.

From a child you were seized with love for God, collecting round you children of your own age and forming them into a band you trained them spiritually, most wisely weaning them from childish ways.

Smitten with love of wisdom, you reached the fair city of Constantine, O God-inspired; and like a wise, melodious bee you gathered seasonable words and abandoned what was superfluous.

Piloting your spiritual ship, blest Father, with the sail of the Cross you accomplished shrewdly and nimbly the difficult voyage of life and you were brought to the divine havens of calm.

He who was ineffably begotten of the Father before the ages, in the last times came forth from your womb and made our nature divine, O Virgin Mother, conspicuously bringing to himself the companies of the ascetics.

Kathisma. Tone 8.

The Wisdom and Word

From your youth you abandoned all the perishable and pleasant things of life, keenly following the One who called you, venerable Father; and taking the Cross on your shoulders, as you had heard, you wasted your body away by fasts; therefore the All-loving Lord chose you well as shepherd of his own sheep, Venerable Athanasios. Intercede with Christ God to grant forgiveness of offences to those who celebrate with love your holy memory.

The Wisdom and Word you conceived in your womb unburned, O Mother of God, and you bore for the world the One who possesses the world; from your breasts you suckled the One who nourishes all; in your embrace you held the One who carries all things; therefore I implore you, All-holy Virgin, to be delivered from my offences when I am about to stand before the face of my Creator. O Lady, pure Virgin, grant me then your help; for I your servant have you as my hope.