Ode 4. Irmos

Of the Martyrs

“I sing your praise, for I heard your report, Lord, and I was amazed, for you came as far as me, seeking one who had gone astray. And so, O Most Merciful, I glorify you for your great condescension towards me.”

Of the Bodiless Powers. Another Irmos.

I have fallen into the mire of sin and lost the loveliness from on high, Lord, and I fear the punishment. Therefore make my wretched soul bright with the beauty of repentance.

With cunning speech the cunning one stole me away from you, O God of all things, and made me his own fodder. Snatch me from his wickedness and call me back by ways of repentance.

The time of life has become for me a labour of destruction. In one instant, O Christ, save me, as once by your command you saved the repentant Harlot, that I may sing your praise, O only Sinless One.

The lawless one, being willingly the inventor of wickedness, tried to compel Christ’s Martyrs to offer worship to lifeless gods, but he was worsted, for they knew only God the creator.

Reverencing a Unity in Essence and a Trinity in persons, uncreated Godhead, you gave no reverence at all to creatures, Martyrs of Christ; and therefore you endured all manner of punishments.

Willingly the Lord takes flesh, O Immaculate, from your pure blood, is united to humankind and, swayed by your entreaties, receives the repentant, who before were subject to sins.

I heard of your glorious dispensation.

I bring you the Bodiless Powers as suppliants. Accept them, O Merciful One, as you are compassionate and ransom me from sin.

The godlike minds, being neighbours to the Mind, the cause of all, are cleansed and enlightened by the highest thoughts.

The divine orders of the heavenly host, set in order by the divine Spirit, are preserved unharmed.

Contemplating you, O Virgin, from afar carrying in your arms God made flesh, Isaias made his proclamation.