Ode 5. The Irmos.

O Christ, who enlightened the ends of the world by the brightness of your coming, and made them radiant by your Cross, enlighten with the light of your divine knowledge the hearts of those who sing your praise with right belief.

The Jews put to death through the wood of the cross the great shepherd and Lord; but from death’s might he rescued like sheep the dead buried in Hell.

When you announced the glad tidings of peace by your cross and proclaimed deliverance for captives, my Saviour, then, O Christ, you put to shame him who held them in thrall and showed him naked and destitute by your Divine Rising.

All-praised, do not despise the prayers of those who faithfully entreat you, but receive and present them. O Pure one, to your Son, our God and only benefactor; for in you we have gained a protector.

Another, of Cross and Resurrection.

As you are God of peace.

O the riches and depth of the wisdom of God! The Lord who catches the wise has ransomed us from their trickery; for having suffered willingly through the weakness of the flesh, through his own strength he has been raised, a life-giving corpse.

Being God Christ is united to flesh for our sake, and is crucified and dies and is buried and rises up again, and goes up in splendour to the Father with his own flesh, with which he will come and save those who devoutly adore him.

Pure Virgin, Holy of Holies, you gave birth to the Holy of Holies, who hallows all, Christ the Redeemer. And so w proclaim you as Queen and Sovereign Lady of all things, as Mother of the Creator of all that has been made.

Another, of the Mother of God.

O Christ, who enlightened.

Seeing you the Powers of heaven are glad, and the ranks of mortals rejoice with them; for they have been united, Virgin Mother of God, by your offspring; whom we fittingly glorify.

Let every mortal tongue and mind be roused to the praise of mortal man’s true ornament; the Virgin clearly stands by the Lord, glorifying those who with faith sing the praise of her marvels.

Every song and every praise of the wise offered to the Virgin and Mother of God is glorified. For the temple of God’s glory she has become; whom we fittingly glorify.