Ode 8. The Irmos.

**Theotokion.**

The God who is glorified unceasingly in the highest by Angels, you heaven of heavens, earth, mountains, hills and deeps and all the human race, bless him in hymns as Creator and Redeemer.

The veil was rent when you were crucified, our Saviour, and death gave up the dead whom it had swallowed. Hell was stripped bare when it saw you in the lowest regions of the earth.

Where, death, is your sting? Where, grave, is now your victory? You have been slain and destroyed by the risen King. You reign no longer. The Mighty One has taken away those whom you held prisoner.

‘Run quickly, announce the Resurrection to the Apostles’, cried the shining young man to the Myrrhbearers, ‘The Master has risen, and with him wondrously the dead from time’s beginning’.

The Paralysed Man, who had lain for many years, cried: Have mercy on me, afflicted by distress, O Redeemer’. But he orders him to take up his bed with haste and to walk upright.

Chief Captain, as leader of the immaterial Powers, with them ask for us redemption from faults, correction of life and enjoyment of the eternal good things of heaven.

Let us praise in concert the uncreated, indivisible Essence, the three-personned Godhead, Father without beginning, and Son and Holy Spirit, crying with the Seraphim the dread melody.

Of old Isaias saw you as a book, Ever-Virgin, in which the timeless Word had been inscribed by the Father’s finger, saving from all unreason us, who sing your praise you with sacred words.