Ode 8. Irmos

Of the Mother of God. Same Irmos.

**Cross-Theotokion**

Stretching out his hands Daniel closed the jaws of the lions in the den; while the Youths, lovers of true religion, girded with virtue, quenched the power of the fire as they cried: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Wishing to heal the sin of a violent hand, Master, you were transfixed by nails, unfastening every passionate of the First-formed, O Lord, as he sang: All you his works, praise the Lord.

When your side was pierced the record of Adam, the first-formed, was torn up; by the drops of your blood, Master, the universe is sanctified, as it ever sings with voices of thanksgiving: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Of the Martyrs

The all-revered Martyrs stood in the midst of the fire, as though refreshed by dew, not consumed by flames, and in mystic harmony with the Youths they raised a truly godly song: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Carrying the unsleeping torch of your deliberate choice, O Martyrs, you were not turned aside by the darkness of punishments, but empowered by God you upwards to the unsetting light as you cried out: Bless the lord, all you works of the Lord.

When the all-praised Sovereign lady saw Christ put to death and putting to death the enemy who put mortals to death, weeping she sang his praise as Master, and marvelling at his long-suffering she cried aloud: All you his works, praise the Lord.

You bore a ripe fruit, from which death ate and was destroyed. And so I cry to you: Sovereign Lady, give me life, who by the fruit of sin have been treacherously put to death, as I sing: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

By your unceasing intercession, all-pure Lady, put to sleep the passionate motions of my mind, and raise me up from the sleep of sloth to sing with an awakened soul: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

There, wretched soul, you will have no advocate, when your base conduct brings forward unnumbered accusations. And so repent, and take as your fellow worker for the good the only Immaculate; for she alone is the refuge of mortals.