Ode 9. Irmos

Of the Martyrs

“The Word from God, who came with ineffable wisdom to renew Adam, who by eating had fallen dreadfully to corruption, incarnate inexpressibly for our sake from a holy Virgin, we the faithful with one mind magnify in hymns.”

Of the Bodiless Powers. Another Irmos

See, it is time for working. Why are you foolishly asleep, my soul, in total indolence? Rouse yourself, make your lamp bright with tears. Hurry, the Bridegroom of our souls is at hand. Do not be sluggish and do not stay outside God’s door.

How fearful is your judgement seat that makes clear every action, laying it bare to Angels and mortals! How dread the sentence that you will pass on offences! Deliver me from it, O Christ, granting me before the end tears of turning back.

Signed with the love of the Lamb and the blood of the Shepherd, the glorious and godlike Athletes were sacrificed rejoicing, like innocent lambs, and in heaven they truly make bright all the holy Church of the first born.

Revealed as beacons with rays like the sun, by the light of your contest you make radiant every soul, you dispel all the fog of error, noble Athletes, therefore, as is fitting, with faith you are called blessed.

Spare me, Lord, spare me, when you come to judge me, and do not condemn me to the fire, do not chastise me in your wrath. The Virgin who bore, O Christ, the multitudes of Angels and the company of the Martyrs implore you.

Clothed in snow white robes the shining Angels appeared, symbolically making clear to the godly Disciples your second Coming, O Christ. With them, as we contemplate your godhead, we all magnify you.

You create, as Benefactor, every rational nature, as a second radiance of your primal splendour. And so as we sing your praise we all magnify you.

When he perceived and was amazed by the brightness of your virginity, the godlike Chief Captain cried out to you his ‘Hail!’. And so we all magnify you as Mother of God.