Ode IX

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women…”—

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.

On the Praises, 6 stichera: 3 from the Pentecostarion, and 3 for the apostle, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…”—

Theotokion: O Virgin Mother of God, thou wast shown to be her who gave birth in the flesh to God the Word, Whom the Father generated from His own heart before time began, in that He is good. Him do we now understand as transcending the body, even though He was clothed in a body.

Passing through thy life in holiness, thou didst attain unto the abodes of the saints, where, rejoicing, thou dost behold the thrice-radiant Light, O all-wise one. Delighting therein, and full of gladness, by thy supplications show forth those who hymn thy joy, O all-blessed James.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Exapostilarion from the Pentecostarion.

O blessed James who beheld God, when thou didst hear the voice of the Word thou didst straightway abandon thy love for thy father and thy desire to please him; wherefore, forsaking the tumult of life, and traversing the noetic sea, thou didst roil it with thy teachings of piety and with thy heavenly radiance, O thou who art blessed of God.

The malefactors and murderers could not bear the sight of thee, as before they could not stand to look upon thy Master; for, denouncing them for their works, thou didst rebuke them by laying down thy life. And they slew with the sword thee, the emulator of Christ Who was crucified in the flesh for men, O divinely eloquent and all-blessed one.

O blessed James, who with thine own eyes didst behold the Word, the Author of life, pleasing the Father of things to come by thine actions, thou hast deprived of his primacy the most abominable Ishmael who doth worship his belly as god, and thou hast tripped him and shown him to be devoid of the Father’s protection, having no share in His blessing and inheritance.

Tortured by the sword of heaven, Herod died afflicted with sores, for the wretched one was not content to slay Thy servants and disciples, whom Thou didst name apostles, O Word. Wherefore, marvelling at Thy righteous providence, we magnify Thee.

Thou hast now been appointed prince over all the earth, O glorious one, as was written of thee before, for thou wast a disciple of Him Who created all things; and by thy steadfast zeal and invincible boldness thou didst endure execution, O blessed one, the first slain among the honored company of the twelve disciples.

Let us all hymn James, son of Zebedee, for he ascended Mount Tabor with Christ and beheld the divine transfiguration; and, having descended, he preached with Peter and James to all the four corners of the earth. Twice

Glory…, idiomelon, in Tone VI—

O fisher of all the world, holy disciple, laborer of the Savior and recounter of His sufferings: having travelled around creation with faith, gathered in the deluded nations and brought them to God, thou wast brought up into the heavens. Wherefore, standing before the Judge, pray that we be delivered from our iniquities and find salvation from torment on the day of judgment.

Now & ever…: from the Pentecostarion.

Great Doxology