Ode 9. The Irmos.

Glory. Both now.

**Theotokion.**

In the shadow and letter of the Law, Let us the faithful discern a figure. ‘Every male child that opens the womb shall be holy to God.’ Therefore the Son and Word of the Father who has no beginning, the firstborn child of a Mother who had not known man, we magnify.

The word of your Disciples has established the ends of the earth, O Word of the Father without beginning; at their supplications take pity on me who have slipped irrationally towards the passions and been gripped by the deception of the demons.

My soul, enslaved to assaults of passions, bring supplications to him who suffered the Passion for your sake, that he may deliver you from passions; as his sacred Disciples, who imitated the sufferings of his passion in the flesh, openly intercede.

Disciples of Christ, when you sit with him to judge those who are subject to judgement, establish my soul, befouled by unnatural works, uncondemned, for you are my good protectors, helpers of the world.

Chaste Virgin, pure palace of Christ, Virgin all-holy of holies, who bore the Holy God beyond explanation and reason, with the holy Apostles intercede on behalf of all.

Of the Saint.

The whole round world has found in you a divine stronghold and fortress and fair refuge, who by your mediations ever rescue it from every pressure of temptations, Father Nicholas; and so in praise it faithfully calls you blessed.

Hemmed in by many disasters, I flee, All-blessed, to the wide plain of your prayer. ‘Transform the toil of my soul, I cry, calm the waves of despair and bring peace to my troubled mind’.

The coming of the Creator is at hand to judge the whole earth, and I, accursed, am not prepared; I shudder when I consider the multitude of my offences; take pity on me, long-suffering Lord, and save me at the godly prayers of your holy Nicholas.

Appear to me as a saving enlightenment, you who bore the light, dispelling the many and dread clouds from my soul, that by your prayers I may become a son of the day, doing holy deeds, and that in hymns I may ever call you blessed.

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

Your sound has gone out into all the earth, holy Apostles; you abolished the error of idols by preaching the knowledge of God; this is your good fight, blessed Saints, and so we praise and glorify your memories.

**Verse 1. We were filled in the morning with your mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad, for all the days you have afflicted us, for the years we have suffered adversity. Look upon your servants and your works, and guide their sons.**

Blamelessly keeping Christ’s commands, holy Apostles, freely you received, freely you give, curing the passions of our souls and bodies; and so as you have boldness, implore him to have mercy on our souls.

Of the Martyrs.

The powers of the holy Angels marvelled at the contests of the Martyrs; for clothed in a mortal body they despised tortures and became imitators of the passion of our Saviour, and they intercede for our souls.

And may the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: prosper the work of our hands, O prosper the work of our hands.

O Lady, honoured first of saints, praise of the heavenly Orders, hymn of the Apostles, summary of the Prophets, accept too our supplications.