AT VESPERS:

Glory..., in Tone II: Idiomelon—

At “Lord, I have cried...,” these stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel: “Having set all aside...”—

Troparion, in Tone VIII—

Now and ever...: Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion—

At first thine alluring, impure seduction hindered thee from gazing upon precious things, but thy good sense, O divinely wise one, and thine awareness of what thou hadst done wrought thy conversion to that which is better; for, lifting up thine eyes to gaze upon the icon of the blessed and divine Maiden, and repenting, O all-praised one, of all thy past transgressions, thou didst bow down in worship before the precious Tree with boldness.

Having joyfully worshipped at the holy places, from thence thou didst receive the most saving viaticum of virtue, and didst set out with exceeding great haste on a good journey; and having passed beyond the stream of the Jordan, thou didst zealously make thine abode in the habitation of the Forerunner, and by thy dwelling therein didst subdue the savagery of the passions, laying waste to the carnal uprisings of thy body through abstinence, O ever-memorable mother.

Having made thine abode in the wilderness, thou didst piously deface the images of thy passions, engraving within thy soul the depiction of the most divine likeness; and so greatly didst thou shine forth that thou didst easily traverse the waters on foot and wast elevated above the ground in thy supplications unto God. And now with boldness thou standest before Christ, O all-glorious Mary. Entreat Him in behalf of our souls.

With the sword of abstinence thou didst cut apart the spiritual nets of the carnal passions, and with the stillness of fasting thou didst smother noetic offenses; with the streams of thy tears thou didst water the whole desert, and hast budded forth for us the fruits of repentance. Wherefore, we celebrate thy memory, O venerable one.

Beholding Thee nailed to the Tree of the Cross, O Jesus, she who knew not wedlock said, weeping: “O sweet Child, wherefore hast Thou abandoned me who alone gave birth unto Thee, O unapproachable Light of the all-unoriginate Father? Haste Thou, and glorify Thyself, that those who glorify Thy divine sufferings may receive divine glory!”

In thee, O mother, that which was created according to the image of God was manifestly saved; for, accepting thy cross, thou didst follow after Christ; and, praying, thou didst learn to disdain the flesh, for thou didst transcend it, and to take care of thine immortal soul. Wherefore, with the angels doth thy soul rejoice, O venerable Mary.