Ode 3. Irmos.

Ι See my weakness, Lord, who wore it. See the dread deformity of my soul, and listen to my voice, most merciful Christ, and change its ugliness to beauty of form [23] .

‘A stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner’ [19] ; it is the rock on which Christ made firm [20] the Church which he had ransomed [21] from among the nations [22] .

S O Jesu, save the wastrel [24] ; save me, who have alone transgressed your saving laws, and irrationally committed every sin and been made subject to thoughts that alienate from you, good Lord.

You give birth the One whom the Father begot before all ages; you nourish the nourisher without knowing man. Wondrous the marvel! New the mystery, O Full of grace! Therefore the souls of all believers magnify you.

Of the Martyrs

T The host of Bodiless Powers was truly amazed at your courage, Holy Ones, how you wondrously competed in the stadium and falling in body you threw down in one godly moment all your bodiless opponents.

E Still decked out with the blood from your wounds; still drenched in gore, O Champions, you stand beside the Lord, the immortal King, all garlanded with victors’ crowns.

Of the Forerunner. The same Irmos.

S In holiness, O Forerunner, you sprouted from a barren mother without fruit, and by divine husbandry you appeared bearing fruit. Therefore make my heart, barren of everything, a source of fair offspring, that I may ever faithfully glorify you.

A With heavenly bread, blest Saint, make firm my heart, weakened by evil thoughts, and make me eagerly fulfil the wishes of God, the all-compassionate, that I may ever faithfully glorify you.

K You preached the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world [25] , blessed Prophet, lighten, I beg, the heavy burden of my sins [26] , giving me compunction that wipes away the stain of passions.

O The Word, coming forth from you, Mother of God, bearing flesh in its entirety, put on Adam in his entirety. Implore him, Mother of God, to deliver us from trials and temptations of every kind and from the everlasting fire [27] .