Ode 3. Irmos.

Of the Forerunner. Another Irmos.

Establish my heart, Lord, which is tossed by the waves of life, as God guiding it to a fair haven.

**Troparia.**

I promise you to repent, O God, and as I sin again what will become of me? How will I be looked on by you when you judge the earth?

Because I have sinned in knowledge and in ignorance I come to you, Christ Lord who know all things, I fall down before you. Receive me as the Prodigal.

Of the Martyrs.

With reasoning that had been put to death the lawless torture those who longed for life, the victorious Martyrs, as they confessed Christ.

Choirs of Martyrs have been numbered with the choirs of spiritual Angels, for by the grace of the divine Spirit they have become equal to the Angels.

Open to me now the gates of repentance, O Virgin gate of light, and lock up the entrances of the passions of my wretched soul.

You fixed the earth.

Wondrous Prophet, you are ever a fount of healings for those who approach your house with faith; heal the passions of my heart, I beg you, which have so wretchedly grown one with me through my indifference, all blessed one.

I groan and am ever gripped by lamentations when I think on your implacable tribunal, O Judge alone most just. Keep me at that moment uncondemned, O Lord my God, at the intercessions of your Baptist.

Glorious Forerunner who became the mediator between old and new testaments by your godlike mediations, I who have become old by many sins cry out to you: Renew me by repentance, that I may honour you by praise.

Holy Virgin Mother, alone all-praised, deliver us from the reproach of offences, enlighten our thought, hallow our heart and deliver us all from eternal condemnation we beg.