Ode 3. The Irmos.

Of the Forerunner. Another Irmos.

Lord, who establish the thunder and create the wind, establish me that I may sincerely sing your praise and do your will; for none is holy as you, our God.

You gave light to eyes of the blind, give light to my eyes, darkened by the pleasures and cares of life and which in no way gaze upon your judgements.

See, it is time; come to your senses, my soul from the wicked deeds that you have done, and in fear cry out to the Master and Redeemer: Open wide for me, O Christ, the gates of repentance!

Of the Martyrs.

Beliar was seen to be routed by the godly struggles of the Champions, and, trampled under foot by them, he who boasted before is seen an ineffectual corpse.

The company of the Saints as martyrs finished the course and with godly strength they truly cut down ten thousands of spiritual Ethiops and obtained glory.

You abolished the grief of our first parents, All-holy Mother of God, when you bore joy, the Life-giver and Redeemer; implore him insistently that our souls may be saved.

Every virtue you practised, every sin you hated from the heart, and you showed mankind, blessed Forerunner, the way of repentance.

You have been revealed as the greatest Forerunner of the Word incarnate; and so I beg you, deliver me from irrational passions by guiding me to repentance.

While still dwelling in the body you displayed the life of the Bodiless Powers, O Forerunner; by your prayers empower us to imitate it we beg.

Through you, Virgin Mother, the world, grown unprofitable by transgression, has found mercy; therefore with songs of praise it calls you blessed.