Ode 5. Irmos.

**Of the Saint. Another Irmos.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

**Theotokion.**

”O Christ you have become the Mediator between God and men, for through you, Master, from the night of ignorance we have access to your Father, the source of light.”

**Ode 6. Irmos.**

**Theotokion.**

The great Shepherd sent out his godly Disciples like sheep among wolves, remodelling them by the divine strength of Baptism and by the beauty of his words.

**Of the Saint. Same Irmos.**

**Theotokion.**

By the divine light, Apostles, you enlightened the hearts in the gloom of error; therefore I beseech you, Blessed ones, enlighten me who have been darkened by the blackness of pleasures.

**Ode 7. Irmos**

**Theotokion.**

Dwelling place of Light, shine on me who lie in darkness with your light, and with the Apostles intercede that by your prayers I may be saved from every constraint.

**Of the Saint. Another Irmos.

**Theotokion.**

The enlightment.**

**Ode 8. Irmos.**

**Theotokion.**

Resplendent by a way of life befitting God, Thrice-blessed, you defended and rescued those condemned to die by an unjust sentence as they cried to the Master Christ: We know no other God but you.

**Of the Saint. Another Irmos.

**Theotokion.**

As you now contemplate in heaven the eternal glory and delight in the resplendent rays of the ineffable and divine radiance, shelter me by your protection, Venerable and all-revered servant of Christ.

**Ode 9. Irmos.**

**Theotokion.**

To seek out your Image, demolished by unnumbered passions, my Christ, Word of God, unknown to the heavenly beings you appeared incarnate from a Virgin to those who cry to you: We know no other God but you.

**Of the Saint. The same Irmos.**

**Theotokion.**

”Surrounded by a depth of offences, I call upon the unsearchable depth of your compassion: O God, lead me up from corruption.”

**Troparia.**

Disciples of the Saviour, who furnish the living water, give drink, I beg, to my soul, burned up by the heat of sin.

Named spiritual heavens, O Apostles who shed the divine light, you declare the ineffable glory of God. Intercede that we may all obtain it.

Tossed on an ocean of dangers, I come to you, the Pilot of the universe; through your Apostles direct me to a roadstead of salvation.

With all the Powers on high, with your Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs I bring you your Mother as means of atonement. Take pity, save me.

The crown of victory is worthily set upon your head, Nicolas; as noblest victor save those who call upon you.

Slain by my faults and drowning in the waves of the passions, appear and bring me safe, blessed Saint, to the haven of the divine will.

I have laid my hopes of salvation on you, Mother, Ever-virgin, and I place you as the sure and unshakeable protectress of my life.

”The godless order of a lawless tyrant fanned the soaring flame; but Christ let fall the dew of the Spirit upon the God-fearing Youths. He is blessed and highly exalted.”

**Troparia.**

Set flame by the fire of the divine Spirit, O Apostles, you quenched the coals of error, while you lit the fire of the love of God in the minds of the faithful; and so with resounding voice we honour you.

Hating the world and the things of the world, you loved Christ, who in the world with a body conversed with mortals; implore him, godly Apostles, to free me from the perils of life.

Judge most just who know the heart, who alone know my secret offences, at the entreaties of your Apostles do not condemn me at the hour of the judgement, do not banish me to fire.

Virgin who knew not wedlock, you bore ineffably the fire of the Godhead and were not consumed, and so , Pure lady, with the Apostles intercede to free me, who glorify you, from the everlasting flame.

The three Youths.**

Pierced through by harsh temptation I have fallen grievously, and cast down by despondency I have drawn near to the gates of Hell. Save me by your intercessions, Blessed Father, and raise me up to sing to you: I ever call you blessed, sacred Servant of Christ.

Resplendent with the immaterial beams of the light which never sets, snatch out those held fast by the darkness of afflictions and guide them to the illumination of true religion as they sing: We ever call you blessed, true Servant of Christ.

Implore Christ your Son and God, Mother of God, to draw up by his precious those destroyed by grave falls and the deceptions of the serpent, who sing: God of our Fathers, blessed are you.

”A furnace once in Babylon, by divine decree, divided its action, burning up the Chaldeans but refreshing the faithful who sang: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord”.

**Troparia.**

In bodily form the Comforter Spirit came upon you in the form of fire and made you lamps which consumed the ungodly but illumined all the devout, godly Apostles of the Word.

O Compassionate, at the supplications of your Disciples heal the passions which grievously batter my incurable heart, I beg, lead my soul to light, guide my mind which inclines to wickedness.

Groan, my soul, and weep intensely, and grieve for yourself before the end, before the lamentation which cannot be comforted takes hold of you, and cry out to the Creator: Master, take pity on me at the entreaties of the Apostles.

The furnace that once did not consume the Youths prefigured your child-bearing, all-immaculate Virgin; therefore I implore you, with all the Apostles and prophets entreat that I may be delivered from the fire of hell.

God who came down.**

As you are kindly and compassionate, blessed Initiator into sacred mysteries, free those encompassed by the deep of temptations, granting them release from the troubles that hold them fast by your entreaties to the Saviour.

Guide into mysteries beyond the mind, minister of things immaterial and heavenly, and faithful High Priest you have been declared, O Initiator inspired by God. Ask from our Saviour forgiveness of faults.

My mind is now enfeebled, having fallen into the depths of dishonour, so that it is therefore very close to evils of many kinds; but do you, O Virgin, heal it, by wrapping it in the light of dispassion.

”The Son of the Father without beginning, God and Word, incarnate of a Virgin, has appeared to us, to give light to what is darkened, to gather what is scattered; therefore we magnify the all-praised Mother of God”.

**Troparia.**

I am condemned, I am beyond correction, for I have despised your ordinances and followed in mad folly the wiles of the demons. Turn me back again, O Lord, at the prayers of your Apostles.

Glorious Apostles, blessed Apostles, Disciples of the Saviour, all-wise Heralds, rescue me from all harm, all wrath, all sin, all disaster and transgression of every kind.

I offer a soul beyond correction, a conscience buried beneath the stuff of offences, a heart defiled and thought befouled. I cry to you, Lover of mankind: Take pity on me in your mercy.

All-pure Virgin, the Apostles proclaimed your Son to all the world as God and Man. Therefore with them entreat that on the dread day of judgement all those who faithfully magnify you may be delivered.

Illumined by the lamps of grace, inspired Father, and having become a wise beacon of true religion, you save those in temptations, rescue those in the depth of the sea and wondrously nourish the starving, O all-blessed.

Now encamped in the Paradise of delight and contemplating clearly the ineffable glory, you look from the vaults of heaven upon those who sing your praises and rescue them from passions, all-honoured God-bearer.

Pure Mother of God, you conceived the Wisdom, Power and empersonned Word of the Father, Wisdom which took its temple from your immaculate blood, and was united to, by a union that was unbroken.

**At the Aposticha of Lauds, of the Apostles.**

You have magnified the names of the Princes of the Apostles in the inhabited world, O Saviour. They learned the ineffable mysteries of heaven, they gave healings to those on earth, and their shadows alone cured the passions. The one who was a fisherman worked wonders; the one who was a Jew taught the doctrines of grace. Through them, O Compassionate, grant us your great mercy.

We who are warred upon from every side and take refuge in you, who alone are truly God, offer you the words of your Disciples as we say: Save us, Teacher, we are perishing. Show now also to our enemies, we beg, that you protect your people and save them from dangers at the intercession of the Apostles, overlooking their sins through your great goodness. Lord, glory to you.

**Of the Martyrs.**

Every city, town and village honours your relics, Martyrs and Champions; for you struggled like professionals and received a heavenly crown, and therefore you are the boast of priests, the victory of Kings and the splendour of Churches.

Joy of all the afflicted and defence of the wronged, nourishment of the hungry and consolation of strangers, harbour of the storm-tossed, visitation of the sick, shelter and assistance of the oppressed and staff of the blind, Mother of God Most High; therefore we all fall down before you, deliver us from every calamity.