Ode 4. The Irmos.

The choirs beyond the world hymn your offspring, O all-blameless, rejoicing at the salvation of those who believe you to be true Mother of God, O Virgin undefiled.

Avvakoum, prophetically apprehending your divine self-emptying, O Christ, cried out to you in awe: You have come for the salvation of your people; to save your anointed.

Prefiguring, O Good One, as in an icon your immaculate Cross, which slays the taste of sin, through wood you sweetened the bitter waters of Mara.

You accepted a Cross, my Saviour, against the tree of knowledge, gall against sweet provender; while against the corruption of death you poured out your divine blood.

Without union you conceived in your womb without corruption; you gave birth before you felt the pains of labour, and after child-birth, for you had born God in the flesh, you were kept a Virgin.

Another, of Cross and Resurrection.

When the Cross was fixed in the earth on Calvary, the bars were smashed and the eternal gate-keepers, and they cried: Glory to your power, O Lord!

When the Saviour went down as mortal to the prisoners, the dead from every age arose with him and cried: Glory to your power, O Lord!

The Virgin gave birth and did not know a mother’s pangs, but mother she is and virgin has remained; whom we hymn as we cry: Hail, Mother of God!

Of the Mother of God. Another.

As with heart, mind, soul and voice I devoutly confess you as truly Mother of God, pure Virgin, I gather the fruit of salvation and am saved by your intercessions.

He that created the universe from nothing, as benefactor was well-pleased to be created from you, O pure one, for the salvation of those who with faith and love hymn you, O all-blameless.

Isaias named you the rod from which sprung for us a fair flower, Christ God, for the salvation of those who with faith and love have recourse to your protection.