Ode 9. Irmos

Exapostilarion. As God you adorned.

Of the Forerunner. The same Irmos.

Theotokion. Same melody.

The light-bearing cloud, in which the Master of all things came down from heaven as rain upon a fleece and became incarnate for our sake, the One without beginning becoming man, let us all magnify as the pure Mother of God.

See, now is the moment of repentance and pure work! See, now is the day of light! Work its works; flee the darkness of the passions; banish the sleep of wicked sloth, my soul, that you may become a partaker in divine light. ****

Like the Tax-collector I groan, like the Harlot I weep, like the Thief I cry out, ‘Remember me, O Compassionate’, and like the Wastrel son I cry, ‘I have sinned!’. Like the Woman of Canaan I fall before you, ‘O merciful, do not despise me!’ ****

Of the Martyrs

You have been revealed as truly healers of sufferings of the body and afflictions of the soul, for you courageously gave your bodies up to torments and to violent death, all-praised Martyrs of the Lord; and therefore you are blessed for ever. ****

The courage of the Christ’s wise Champions, blazing out more brightly than the rays of the sun, by grace abolished the prince of darkness, dispelled the night of godlessness and enlightened the hearts of believers. ****

Virgin Mother of God, with the bright rays of light of the Word who dawned from your holy womb and flooded the ends of the earth enlighten my soul, darkened with the blackness of pleasures, that with faith I may sing your praise. ****

See the lamp shining for those in the darkness of life, see the sweet voiced swallow, that announces Christ, the spring, the great Forerunner, mediator of the old and new covenants; by whose prayers we are always guarded. ****

As the Bridegroom’s friend I now put you forward as ambassador, O Baptist, and I, who have a multitude of sins, cry out to you, ‘Obtain the cancellation of my debts, All-blessed, and light the lamp of my soul, completely extinguished by indifference’. ****

With bodiless Angels, with revered Apostles, with holy Champions, and with Prophets, O Prophet, ever implore God who is supremely good, that we, who are enriched with you as good protector, may obtain eternal good things. ****

Fair swallow, precious nightingale, all-beauteous dove, desert-loving turtle-dove, Baptist of the Lord, offshoot of the desert, make my soul, that has become a desert through unfruitfulness, fertile and productive of good. ****

Like the Cherubim throne you carry the one who carries all things, you nourish the one who nourishes us. Implore him without ceasing, pure Virgin, graced by God, that your flock may be rescued from earthquake, collapse, capture and every constraint. ****

Let us all praise John the Forerunner and Baptist of the Saviour, the Prophet from a Prophet, the nurseling of the desert, the offspring of Elisabeth.

I have you as intermediary with the God who loves humankind; do not expose my deeds before the Angels. I beg you, O Virgin, help me speedily.