Ode 8. The Irmos.

Of the Forerunner. Another Irmos.

Cherubim and Seraphim stand round you, Lord, in a fire of flame and all creation sings you a fair hymn of praise: You people praise, bless, highly exalt Christ the only Creator to all the ages.

I have not dwelt in your fear, I have not listened to your commandments, I have never done your will; what will become of me, the wretch? You love mankind, take pity on me, save me, O Saviour, and do not cast me away.

Husbandman of fair deeds, with the sickle of your fear pluck out by the roots all the thorny thoughts of my wretched soul, O Christ; and with the seed of repentance grant that sprout a ear of salvation.

Of the Martyrs.

Confined by many tortures the Champions were led into the open by grace and they confined the ways of the foe, full of pitfalls; and now they guide us to the ways of God by faith and love.

The trickster was shipwrecked and fell into the deep of your bravery and struggle, O Martyrs, and the fool lies prostrate, laughed at by all; while you are ever adorned with crowns of victory.

Your womb, all-blameless, was revealed to the world as heap of grain bearing the corn of life which nourishes all things; and so we faithful in harmony sing your praise as cause of all good.

By your light-filled intercessions rouse me who am overpowered by the sleep of sloth and darkened by the fog of wickedness and grant that I may walk nobly, as in a day of virtues.

A storm of temptations buffets me and a tempest of passions tosses me about; give me your hand, guiding the barque of my soul to the roads of repentance, by your intercessions.

You baptised him who takes away the faults of the world in the waters of the river; dry up the abyss of my wickedness with the streams of your intercessions, blessed Forerunner John.

You saw the holy Spirit, you gave ear to the voice of the Begetter bearing witness to Jesus as he was ineffably baptised by you, O Forerunner; implore him that we may be saved.

As source of our refashioning, refashion me, wholly crushed by the assaults of the serpent, that with faith and love I may call you blest, all-praised Virgin Mother of God.