Ode 9. Σὲ τὴν ἀπειρόγαμον.

Exapostilarion. Τῶν Μαθητῶν.

The flow of living blood is a proof, all-praised Martyr, of the immaculate life that has been given you from above; for you have been revealed as an inexhaustible treasury of healings for those who draw from it with faith.

Death touched you, God-inspired, by nature’s law; but you have been clothed dispassionately with the death that bears life, by which, having assumed complete purity as a spiritual body, you live incorruptibly, and the streams of your blood bear witness.

Crowned by the laws of the contest, Efphemia, Martyr, herald of Christ, you devoutly confirmed the volume of honoured doctrines; grasping it from the hands of the fathers of the Council you are revealed as a living monument of orthodoxy.

Bride who knew not wedlock, as the true and blameless vessel of sweet fragrance and cloud of immaterial light, which received the heavenly rain in its womb, Virgin mother, we magnify you.

Mother of God most high, you are higher than the immaculate Powers, you knew not wedlock and through a word bore beyond understanding him who is truly God, with never silent hymns of glory we magnify you.

Assembled we praise the memory of the all-praised Martyr Efphemia; for she took from the fathers the definition of orthodoxy, and by keeping it she makes the orthodox radiant.

Of the Cross. Same melody.

The Cross is the salvation of the world; the Cross is the staff of Saints; the cross is the support of Kings; the Cross is the stronghold of believers; the Cross is the strength of humans; the Cross is the downfall of demons.

At Lauds we insert 4 Stichera, and sing the following Idiomels of the Saint.

Tone 3.

Believers, as we contemplate the champion’s festival being celebrated, let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving to God, wonderful in his counsels; for by woman’s nature he defeated the invisible might of the hostile power, perfecting his own divine power in the weakness of the fair Martyr. At her intercessions, save our souls.

The Same Tone.

The all-praised Martyr of Christ, having mingled the mixing bowl of truth with her own blood from the contest, and offered it everflowing to the Church, in which she urges on the nurselings of true religion, as with a voice of wisdom she says: Draw out a drink, witness of the resurrection, cleanser of passions, protection of devout souls, as you cry to the Saviour: You have given us to drink of the stream of the delight of the spirit; save our souls.

The Same Tone.

We, whose souls have been sealed with the blood of Christ for a day of redemption, let us prophetically draw out with spiritual joy holy blood, which gushes up for us from a martyr’s source, formed like the Saviour’s sufferings which flow with life and his eternal glory. And so we cry aloud to him: Lord, who are glorified in your Saints, at the prayers of your all-praised Martyr save our souls.

**Tone 6. By Monk John.**

The virgin, champion and Martyr stands at the Saviour’s right hand robed with the invincibility of the virtues and adorned with the oil of purity and the blood of the contest, and holding her lamp she cries out to him: I have run in the fragrance of your sweet myrrh, Christ God, for I am wounded with your love, do not part me from you, heavenly Bridegroom. At her entreaties, all-powerful Saviour, send down to us your mercies.

**Same Tone.**

Today the plant of life, rising from the hidden places of the earth, confirms the resurrection of Christ who was nailed to it; and exalted in sacred hands it proclaims his exaltation up to heaven, through which our matter, from its fall to earth, lives as a citizen of heaven. And so let us cry aloud with thanksgiving: Lord, who were exalted upon it and through it have exalted us with you, count us who sing your praise worthy of heavenly joy.