Ode 1. Tone 4. The Irmos.

By smiting Egypt and drowning the tyrant Pharaoh in the sea you saved a people from slavery who sang like Moses a song of victory, for he has been glorified.

O Lord, do not, rebuke me openly who have done deeds of darkness secretly; do not hold me up to scorn before all, but make me shine with the light of genuine repentance, O Saviour, and save me.

A prodigal I always couple sins with sins, Master, and I never feel the fear of you, Lord; and so before the end save me and take pity.

Of the Martyrs.

Protected by the shield of true religion and grasping the weapon of the Cross as a sword, you went to combat with the enemy, glorious Saints, and hurled him to the ground.

The godly Martyrs had no fear of blood-thirsty lions and cutting swords, of boiling cauldrons, scraping of nails, beatings and painful tortures.

Let us honour in hymns Mary the Virgin, the immaculate Tabernacle, Ark and Table, the Mountain from which was hewn without human hand a Stone, the Lord of all.

Another, of the Forerunner, of which the acrostic is:

I weave a prayerful song for you with love, O blessed one. Joseph.

Like a great star running before the Sun, you shed light on the world by your rays, O Baptist. Therefore I cry to you: Enlighten my heart, blinded by the dreadful blackness of numberless offences.

When you were born, blessed Saint, you loosed the bonds of barrenness; and so I beg you, by your prayers, show my soul, fruitlessly barren through passions, productive of the fair offspring of virtues.

Going before him in the power of Elias, you prepared the way for the Redeemer; direct the motions of my soul towards the goal, revered Baptist, removing by your prayers every stone and hindrance of passion.

O Cloud of light, by your radiant mediations scatter the many harmful clouds of my soul, that I may see the rays of him who dawned from you, and by light receive as well light that never sets.