Ode III

Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations, blossomed like a lily at Thine advent, O Lord; and therein hath my heart been established.

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…”—

Thou didst blossom like a fragrant rose in the bed of abstinence, O venerable and all-glorious one, perfuming our hearts with thy godly life.

Theotokion: Thy womb became the bridal-chamber of immortality, from whence the Lord and Bridegroom, shining forth, gathered to Himself the choir of the venerable, O all-pure Virgin.

Made strong by the might of the Savior, thou didst tread the narrow, hard and difficult path, O glorious one, and didst attain unto the summit of Sion on high.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Thy tomb is seen pouring forth fragrant myrrh by grace, O venerable and sacred father, and it proclaimeth that thou wast the sweet ­fragrance of God.

Approaching the Pure One with frequent supplications, in that thou wast pure, O Theodore, thou wast sanctified by the Spirit; hence, dwelling now with the angels, thou dost chant the thrice-holy hymn to the Master of all. Wherefore, entreat Christ, O venerable one, that He have mercy on those who honor thee with love.

After God it is to thy divine protection that I, the lowly, flee; and, falling down, I pray: have mercy, O all-pure Mistress, for my sins have passed over my head, and I fear the torments and tremble. Make supplication to thy Son, O pure one, that He deliver me therefrom.

Stavrotheotokion—

She who gave Thee birth in the flesh, O Christ, Who wast begotten of the unoriginate Father, beholding Thee hanging upon the Cross, cried out: “Woe is me, O most beloved Jesus! How is it that Thou, O my Son, Who art glorified as God by the angels, art now crucified of Thine own will by iniquitous men? I hymn Thee, O Long-suffering One!”