Ode 6. Irmos.

The choir of the Apostles despaired of looking again towards your living temple, not made with hands, that had been destroyed by sufferings. But worshipping beyond hope they proclaimed everywhere that it had been raised again.

Sick on the rolling swell of the cares of this life, thrown overboard by the sins that sail with me and hurled to the soul-destroying beast, like Jonas I cry out to you, O Christ, ‘Bring me up from this death-dealing deep’.

The souls of the righteous, shut up and forsaken in Hell, remembered you and prayed for salvation from you. This you granted through the Cross, O Christ, when in your compassion you went down to the regions below the earth.

What human can explain the manner of your ineffable child-bearing for our sake, all-blameless Virgin, Bride of God? For God the Word, who is uncircumscribed, being made one with you, from you became flesh.

Another. Of Cross and Resurrection.

Jonas from the bowels of Hell.

Willingly lifted up on the Cross, O Saviour, you took prisoner the might of the foe. On it, loving Lord, you nailed the record of our sin.

When you rose from the dead, O Saviour, you raised up with you the human race, granting us life and incorruption, for you love humankind.

Mother of God, do not cease to entreat our God, to whom you gave birth beyond explanation, that those who sing your praise, ever-Virgin, may be delivered from dangers.

Of the Mother of God.

Sick on the rolling swell.

Types in the Law and the sayings of the Prophets clearly foretold that you would give birth to the Benefactor of all creation, Pure Virgin, who in many and varied ways had bestowed benefits on those who with faith sing your praise.

Adam, the first-formed, was exiled of old by the plot of the slayer of mortals, from the delight of Paradise. But you, Virgin who knew not wedlock, led him back again, by giving birth to the One who delivered us from transgression.

The One who by his divine purpose and creative power brought the universe into being from non-existence came forth from your womb, pure Virgin, and shone with the blaze of divine lightning on those in the shadow of death.

No longer does the sword.

No longer does the might of death have power to keep mortals captive; for Christ came down, breaking in pieces and destroying its power. Now Hell is bound, the Prophets with one in joy declare, ‘The Saviour has appeared to those with faith. Come out you faithful to the Resurrection!’

All that is beneath the earth, Hades and death, trembled today before one of the Trinity; the earth quaked, the gate-keepers of Hades, when they saw you, quailed; all creation, rejoicing with the prophets, sings you a song of victory, our Redeemer and God, who destroyed the power of death. Let us shout with joy and cry out to Adam and to Adam’s race, ‘Come out, you faithful, to the Resurrection!’